New-York tribune., 1909-07-26
,pprn IS FOR SMdLL
DTTT on HIDES.
,f- TAFT. Ho5ccrer, Says They
v1st Go on Free List. and Shoes
Hoe Ii Can BE Done.
From rhe tribune Bureau,l

-.,As 70 10 per cent Is a concomitant OF Tree
- had been found impractical under the
IIo,se rules governing conferrees-
- PRESIDENT was not in a yielding mood. and
c,.,ors from the range states Of the West
,,o,t 10 the Nfite House on this mission
-,+,-nei 10 the capitol empty handed
IT.. Taft smile was working with its accus-
.d ioyfal frankness but back Of il was the
-, determination Of a President Of the United
c,.,ee whose capacity 10 back up his demands
:; ,ov thoroughly understood in legislative cir
,fes For more Than week Mr.. Taft has been
-. central figure in the tariff revision fight, and
,,r the last three days this fight has narrowed
aov, 10 the question Of whether hides of cattle
shall be free or dutiabe.
Dfrerences on the cotton schedule were ad-
.rs,ed Yesterday. As late as Friday night GER
,sin Western Senators were cocksure that hides
,-or,is be dutiable at not less than 10 per cent
Even Yesterday morning they thought they had
shehting chance for duty Of ~ per cent To-
cav they were fighting for : per cent In this de-
scending ratio their courage has been fading.
,ps tonight M Taft is in command of a field
which he has won without threats promises
cr political nanRuvring.
Mr.. TAFT CONVINCED
In demanding free hides Mr.. Taft took a
broad view Of the tariff situation. In his study
=, the tariff question he became convinced that
shading of tie rates on leather products could
te made without any resultant harm TO Ameri-
can Industries. Looking into this question as
rrn,ectonist he was thoroughly satisfied that
with hides on the free list certain important
recessaries. ike shoes. harnesses and other
lroducts Of leather could be made dutiable at
rates below those OF either the Senate or the
House
In pursuing this Investigation he took into
sccount the argument Of the tanners and shoe
manufacturers that the great packing concerns
were driving them out Of business. He remem-
bsrpd that under no tariff law except the Ding
lev act we're hides on the dutiable list.
After careful survey Of the whole field the
President was satisfied that the claims of the
Western cattle men that free hides would mean
ruin to q great industry could not be substan-
tsted He became satisfied also that unless
hides were placed on the free list there no
dance to secure further reduction on leather
goiucts.
L this spirit and thoroughly equipped 10 mee:
fst political and economic arguments against
fs hides Mr Taft took his stand He has
never waVered although the pressure upon him
within the last few DAYS has been tremendous.
In coupling with his demand for free hides an
assurance that there would be material reduc-
ton on leather products. Nr. Taft encountered
what some Of the Senate and House leaders in
frmed him was unsuTmOuntable parliamen-
isrv difficulty. Under the rules governing con-
ference committees the Jurisdiction Of the con-
fsrrees Is limited 70 the fixing Of rates between
those in controversy
The House rate on shoes was Is per cent and
The Senate rate 90 per cent The shoe manu-
fscturers admitted that with free hides they
would be afforded sufficient protection under
10 per cent rate In the various conferences
which were held in the effort to untangle this
parliamentary knot some Of the Western Sen
siors saw ray Of hope for small duty on
hides
PRESIDENTS REMEDY.
Ar Taft WAS firm. He told the Senate and
House leaders that with strong Republican
majority In both branches Of Congress II ought
hot to be difficult to handle this situation When
rs attention was called TO the fact that a point
o. order would lie in the House to the amend
nen's which he desired made the President sug-
essied that II was within the mower of the ma
I'riV 10 take advantage Of the much maligned
Ies ey reporting a rule making the amend
.siS of The conference committee in order.
he Promised his support in any effort Of this
anu ana then quietly sat back to await the
oeclsion Of the leaders.
senators Carter. Sutherland and Curtis were
siAohg the White House callers to-day " no tried
nersuade Nr. Taft TO let hides remain on the
0ie hst even If they were given only
n'ninal duty.
AAtTS ELTIMATCM KNOWN
~ pain words the President told them he was
ia94y committed 10 free hides He reit-
A-s former statement that he WAS looking
a. 'diln question from a broad national
u view; that ne saw nothing in this atti-
Aiat MAS Inconsistent with the principles
,+.'s. ue protection. and that he did not purpos-
lea revision
ria. e5iueht took the position that with free
s is would be a great increase in the
sumption Of leather. and thar ma harm ,,o,,ld
y me cattle raisers. While he is not per-
1so hat free hides means a lowering Of the
Co., v kioes and other leather goods, he is
!. -Deo 'hst the economic justice of free hides
tais;s w '''i'''ioed by all true mo'ec-
- isf1s uitirna,u:n on the hides question
known 10 Tic senate and House con-
nnas, SON" days. il has been pretty well
ks.t = 'VF Tie last two DAYS by the Western
L.. VINO have been hoping against hope
d ss.,', iihs "oCld tGrn up TO enable them
Ftss,ne-. brand from the burning. The de-
| sstboss''S to-day convinced these men that If
sass 'ashtd down Il would not be the Presi-
hsse ~. ar Tsft's callers to-day sought 10
air h,a Say In terms what he thought Of the
.ssne. Nii'eh has been framed by the con-
sao IN, i'i'tee He refused to be drawn
ss4el -. discussion of this kind, but ii is no
iEg ss.,s tlain Of the provisions Of the pend
attt.r att,safe are not Just as he would have
ks Wa, however that m the making Of
'als e,.... 1 Touches vitaIIy with varying re-
In aso1,.. congress district Of the Union GER
Hises and concessions must be made