The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-06-20
By Ernest G. Walker.

WASHINGTON, d. c., June 10.-For
the fourth or fifth time, since consider
alton of the tariff bill was begun, there
has been an outbreak of prophecies dur
ing the last few days that President
Taft intended to veto it. These
prophecies have always appeared from
the same quarters, in two or three diff
ferent newspapers, NOT especially noted
for their support of the administration.
And yet they have come from men
who have access to the President and
who, under ordinary circumstances,
would be regarded as reliable.
But in every instance the prophecies
have been met with positive contradic.
tons at the White House. The leaders
of the Senate and the House have been
in frequent conference with the Presi-
dent about tariff matters. They say,
as does the President himself, that he
has not decided to veto the bill, in
fact has not contemplated vetoing it
and does not expect to veto it. The
information is so positive that it can
not be doubted. Nevertheless the as.
sertions continue to be made with
tremendous emphasis.
Back of it all there is undoubtedly
game of politics, the exact purpose
of which is not clearly understood. Of
course, it heartens the insurgents, who
are fighting in the Senate for lower
ing of duties, to have such reports
spread broadcast. 1t gives the impress
| sion that the President is on their side.
The insurgents have sought time and
| again to enlist the Presidents aid but
have not succeeded. If they could have
had his aid some weeks ago, when con-
,sideration Of the bill began in the Sen
| ate, there is no question but what they
could have made Roadway and become
exceedingly troublesome to Senator AL
drich and his Macedonian phalanx.
From another point of view, the veto
talk eases the feelings of Western peo-
pie, who are represented here as being
up in arms over tariff developments.
They are less rampant in communica-
lions to their Senators and members
of Congress, and accordingly there is
some let-up in the popular opposition
to the measure. But no one in Wash
ington, who is well informed about
affairs, believes that the President has
ever seriously thought of vetoing the
tariff bill and when it gets to him and
he signs it. all the veto campaigns will
likely emphasize the Presidents atti.
tude in favor of the standpatters. That
promises to dampen the enthusiasm OF
his Republican support in several OF
the Western States.
The majority which the Finance
Committee can command for its amend
ments remains unimpaired during al
the hullabaloo about veto. Indeed, il
is noticeable that often the veto talk
revives after the Senate majority has
scored an important victory. The lat
est outbreak of veto talk came Just
after the Senate had adopted the cot
ton schedule, against which the most
determined opposition by Democrats
and Western Republicans had beer
made, and while the fight on the WOO
and wooden schedules, which are espe
cially odious TO the Democrats and in
surgent Republicans, was under way.
In spite of the repeated victories OF
the Finance Committee, the ways OF
tariff legislation are very hard. Many
oldsters in Senate and House are shak
ing their heads and recalling their pre-
dictions that new bill could not be
made without jarring the very founda
lions of the Republican party. To be
sure the Democrats are not in any
particularly enviable light with refer
ence to revision, but the country al
ways places responsibility on the party
in power and the Republicans have to
bear the brunt of the tariff criticism
The income tax provision has been
most troublesome of all. 1t has yet Il
be voted upon in some form. The sub
stitute provision for an excise tax upon
the dividends or the earnings of cor
porations is just now in favor once
more because President Taft has
brought it to the front again. But
there were some Senators, who have
rendezvoused with the Macedonian
phalanx on other matters and who will
feel compelled to break away on the
income tax. That has caused the lead.
ers vast amount of worry, so that
they have been on the point of appeal
| ing TO President Taft to send for Sen.
ators and ask them TO desist.
The President is 10th to enter upon
such course, which is contrary TO the
policy he laid down for his own guild
ance when the extra session of Con
gress convened. He may have TO yield
before the last word is said on the
tariff bill. If the plight of his party
in the Senate becomes such as 10 war.
rant II, the leaders could with good
grace insist that he help them to carry
through the provision which he had
himself favored originally,
The stress and strain Of the situation
is becoming politically very wearisome.
Good party men viii be glad when the
bin has been passed and the extra SEES