The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1909-07-23
Presidential Magic Is
Exerted Upon the
RecdLcitrdnts
FREE LIST FIGHT
Opposition Steadily Growing and 1t Is
Now Apparent That President Has
Urged Liberal Compromise to Pre-
vent Deadlock Between the Two
Houses.
WASHINGTON, July o.
M With an effect like magic,

With an effect like magic,
President Taft has brought
about a tangible situation with
regard to the tariff where uncer-
tainty existed before. Today was
one of conferences and concluded
with consultation at the white
house tonight, participated in by
the president, Senator Aldrich
and Representative Payne, at
which the chief executive was as
sured that harmonious settle
ment of the differences is likely.
This conclusion was reached from
the fact that harmony pervaded the
various conferences at the capitol.
The senators opposed to the free raw
material program were consulted by
Senator Aldrich and a committee rep
resenting the same position on the
public side conferred with Chairman
Payne. In addition the house con-
ferees met to have the experts of the
senate finance committee explain the
senate changes in the cotton sched-
ule. It is evident that the president
by informing the conferees that the
disputed points were before them for
settlement, brought about a condi-
tion that augurs we'll for an early
agreement. Mr.. Taft was able to get
a better insight into the obstacles to
q "free material" plan by his confer
ence with the two leaders than was
possible in so large gathering as
that which was present at the dinner
last night.
Senator Aldrich met large number
of senator's who are opposed to free
hides, coal and iron ore, and no en-
couragement was offered for placing
these articles on the free list. In
fact, were 1t possible to get these SEN
ators to yield, the situation in the
house would have to be dealt with,
The house tariff insurgents" who
oppose free materials adopted reso-
lutions protesting against the plan
Representative Dwight, the Repub-
lican whip informed Senator Aldrich
that the anti-free raw material senti-
ment in the house was q matter which
required serious consideration. He
said that its strength had grown to 45
members.
The advocates of dutiable hides in
both houses declared compromise
possible, but that they cannot consid-
er placing hides on the free list. With
regard to the free reciprocity pro-
vision on coal in the house bill, there
also was firm stand, The members
interested in coal declare such a pro-
vision would make the situation un.
tenable with regard to operatives and
that a reduction in the senate rate
without a clause for reciprocal free
trade was more acceptable.
That a nominal duty on iron ore
will be agreed to by the conferees is
the indication tonight. The opinion is
expressed that the rate will be one
that will place the domestic and i'm
ported ores on an equal footing on
the Atlantic seaboard. Representative
Payne is insisting on free ore.
It is more than likely that the con-
ference report will place petroleum or
the free list without a countervallne
duty proposition. The Republican
@sinsurgents" have indicated thei1
Willingness to concede free oil II the
other raw materials are made dutla
General discussion of the custom:
court and corporation tax provisions
and of the duties on cotton goods
gloves and hosiery, took up the time
of the conferees at the morning ses
sion.
It was decided that the headquaIr
ters of the customs court OF Appeals
shall he located in Washington.
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