The Washington herald., 1909-07-22


number Of difficult problems
But the most important work went on
outside OF the conference committee room.
The President summoned Senator Borah
Of Idaho. to the White House yesterday,
and they had satisfactory talk over
the Presidents proposal Of free hides.
Senator Borah has been one Of the
Western Senators who have come to be
known in the tariff vernacular as the
range Senators.
After the President and Senator Borah
had had a free interchange OF views they
discovered that they were not SO far
apart.
Agrees with raft.
Senator Borah told the President he had
never been opposed to removing the
duty from hides. n at the same time re-
auctions were made IN the duties OF sole
leather. boots and shoes, and other
products Of hide. President Taft de-
elared that this view was directly In line
with his own sentiment
When Senator Borah left the White
House he carried a verbal commission
from President Taft to interview the ten
Senators who held a conference in Sen
ator Nelson's room and to treat also.with
the Senators from the cattle raising
States.
After devoting most OF the day TO his
work OF pacihcatlon, Senator Borah found
that most OF the Senators interviewed
were ready TO accept free hides II ma
terial reductions would be given In leather
and It's products. No definite under
standing was reached as to the rates. It
was suggested that boots and shoes
should not carry over 10 per cent. and
that there should be proportionate reduc-
lions In duties on all kinds OF leather,
including harness.
Senator Warren appeared TO be the
only one OF the Senators from the cattle
raising states who appeared 70 be un-
willing that hides should be made abso-
lutely free OF duty.
Some question was raised as to whether
the conferees had the power 10 90 below
the lowest rate given in the Senate or
the House bill on leather and IT'S
products
Under the rules OF conference commit
tees their Jurisdiction Is limited to the
actual difference in the rates involved.
But some Of the Senators suggested that
joint resolution could be passed ex-
tending the Jurisdiction OF the conferees
and authorizing them 10 readtust the
rates to meet the terms Of the proposed
compromise.
Many RumOrs AfIOat.
There was another interesting story
afloat that a coalition had been formed
between Senators who were determined
70 insist that there should be a duty on
hides. iron ore. lumber. coal. and other
articles comprised in President Tafts
proposed additions to the free list. These
Senators. It was asserted. had pooled
their interests, and none Of them was 70
yield in his opposition 20 the conference
report unless all Of the interests involved
were cared for. This insurgent move
ment within the Senate comprised about
twenty Senators. It was said. .some OF
whom are members Of the Finance Com
mittee.
At the same time an uprising OF Repub-
lican Representatives along the same
lines OF resistance was declared 10 num-
Der over thirty. Coupled with these re-
ports. which seemed TO come from rella-
bic authority, was the suggestive state
ment that the Dingley law rates were
satisfactory and that Il would not be q
calamity II the tariff bill faRed entirely.
Senator Elkins has been given the credit
Of organizing the new insurgent move
ment against the conference report. not
only in the Senate. but also in the House.
Senator Burrows is said 10 be positive
In his demand that the duty shall not be
removed from iron ore. There seems 20
be less interest IN the preservation OF
| the cOuntervailing duty on crude pc
/ troleum. One Republican Senator, who Is
leading IN the uprising against President
T2fts proposed enlargement of the free
list. declared yesterday that Mr.. Taft
could have free oil and ne might be able
70 secure reductions in the duties on
other articles. which he was seeking
20 transfer from the dutiable to the free
list. but that there would be no yielding
in favor Of free iron ore. free hides. or
reciprocal free trade in coal with Canada.
Senator SmOot. who comes from one OF
the cattle-raising States IN the West
and who has been an advocate OF retain
ing the duty on hides. was busy compos-
ing differences. He had long conference
with Senator Warren and saw others who
/ are interested in retaining the duty on
hides He expressed the opinion that the
final solution would be a compromise
which would leave fair duty on hides
Payne shows Up.
! Representative Payne, who walked GU,
OF the session Tuesday, after vowing he
would never sign the conference report
J If it was drawn on the lines proposed
was an early arrival and remained for
both sessions of the conference.
on leaving az the close Of the afternoon
/ session Mr.. Payne remarked to the news
paper men with a smile that he was the
last man to leave.
/ Senator Burrows. who figured IN the
reports OF Tuesdays disagreement, was
/ in a jocular mood and suggested that
the newspaper men could apply TO Chair
man Aldrich If they desired TO procure a
list of the casualties.
/ In the era Of good feeling which pre-
vailed marked progress was made with
the bill The zinc schedule was finally
disposed OF. The duty on zinc ore will
remain, while the Senate rate Of IL cents
| per pound on zinc sheets and plates viii
under the agreement reached yesterday bt
! reduced TO las cents per pound
| The Senate receded from its amendment
increasing the duty on salicylic acid to 1.
! per cent and accepted the House rate OF
/ s per cent. The Senate amendment piac-
/ ing a duty of - per cent on tungsten ore
was modified by reducing the rate TO II
/ per cent
In the final adjustment Of the lead
| schedule. which has been the cause OF
much conflict, the conference yesterday
! fixed the duty on ore at IL cents a pound
made a reduction In the rate on pig lead
and kindred articles from PA cents to
/ cents per pound. with proportionate re-
auctions on all the products OF lead per-
| tanning to the manufacture Of paint.