The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-07-28
TAFT NOT COMMITTED.
m WANTS THOROUGH INVEST.
CATION OF MATTER.
fress<lcat Explains His Position Re-
ssriing Free Raw MaterIal-Com-
promise Posslbie-Discuss Cotton
Schedule.

s~nktose SITUATION with regard to the
tariff where uncertainty existed be-
fore.
Today was one of conferences and
concluded with consultation at the
White House tonight. participated in
b,' the president. Senator Aidrich and
Representative Payne. at which the
chief executive was assured that a
hhrmonioos settlement Of the diirsr-
enees existing between the two
branches OF congress is practicable.
The senators opposed to the "n,ee
raw materiar' programme we're con-
suited today by Senator Aidrich and
q committee representing the same
position ON the house side held a con-
ference with Chairman Payne. In sd-
of'son the house conferees met this
sr'ernoon tn have the experts of the
se''sfs finance committee explain the
senate changes In the cotton schedule.
Senator AIdricf today met a mum
Der OF senators who are opposed to
free hides. coal and iron ore, and no
encouragement was offered for the
placing OF any OF these articles on the
ree Hist. In fact were II possible to
get those senator's to yield. the situ-
alton la the house would have to he
dealt with.
The "tariff Insurgents In the house.
VINO are opposed to free raw mater
iais. met again today and adopted res
o'nfscns protesting against the plan.
Representafive Dwight of New
York, the Republican whip of the
house. conferred with Senator Aidrich
late this afternoon and informed him
thaf the anti-free raw material senti-
ment In the house was a matter which
required serious consideration. He
said that Its strength had grown to
IS members
The advocates OF dutiable hides In
both houses declare that compro-
mise ID possible but that they can not
consider the placing of these articles
on the free list.
With regard to the free reciprocity
provision on coal In the house bill
there also was frm stand. The
msmbers interested In coal declared
that such a provision would make the
situation with regard to coal unten-
stle for the operatives and that a re-
duction In the senate rate without a
clause for reciprocity was more ac-
ceptabie.
- That nominal duty on iron ore
VIII DO agreed to by the conferees
was the indications tonight. No de-
termination as to the rate has been
sslgEested.
1t Is understood that Representa-
tive Payne Is insisting on absolutely
free ore.
Owing to the diversified opinion ex-
pressed with regard TO oil. II IL more
than likely that the conference re-
port will place petroleum on the free
Hist without a countervaiiing duty
proposition. n
IL was decided today that the head
quarters OF the customs court of m
peals shall be located In Washington.
Gen. Sharetts and Marion De vrles
OF the board OF appraisers and w. II.
4 Parkhili. an examiner I'm the New
York customs bureau. explained TO
the house conferees the purpose NJ
ne senate changes In the cotton
schedule and the probable effects of
these changes. They pointed out that
the specific rates would not exceed
the rates which II had been the in
tention OF the Dingley law to collect.
but that In operation several OF the
senate rates would be lower than
those of the house.
The entire time Of the house CON
ferees was taken up In the discussion
OF the cotton schedule.
President Tart called attention to-
day To the fact that he has been in
NDItStutcu as de-
manding free raw materials all along
the line. The presidents position. as
matter OF fact as outlined in his
statement OF Friday last. was that he
favored an inquiry To find out what
degree OF protection. IL any. was nee
essary In the matter OF ore. hides
coal. etc.
The president has not committed
hh'scI irrcuievdbly To free hides
iree coal. nee oil and free iron ore
ana the Tact that he called attention
70 THIS tact today tends 10 the i'm
preston az the White House thal
some sort of working basis IL abont
10 be reached.
Mr. TAFT Is hopeful that a confer.