Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-24

subjects Familiarity termed national
issues" should be regarded as con-
fidential. All of the conferees said
last night that the feelings enter
tanned for each other were more
pleasant than they had been for
many days.
When Arthur 3. Shelton, clerk of
the finance committee, and William
X. Payne, clerk of the house ways
and means committee, were excused
from the conference it was under
stood that votes would be taken on
all of the subjects in dispute before
adjournment for the day AS the
question of hides is giving the COM
mittee more trouble than any other
of the schedules that have claimed
the attention of the president, it was
discussed first. The discussion had
not proceeded far before it was de-
veloped that the differences between
the two houses were almost ire
concilable, unless boots and shoes
and other leather goods should be
greatly reduced if hides were to go
on the free list.
Fight Hides Is Hot.
Senator Aldrich had reports from
many western senators protesting
against the removal. of the duty on
hides or reduction below 10 per
cent ad valorem. The only terms
on which the western senator's would
consent to consider the abolition of
the duty involved the removal of the
duty on leather goods. 1t is under
stood that the Rhode Island senator
said that there was no use in report
ing to the senate something that
stood no chance for adoption and
that the hide interests and the shoe
interests must get together and make
concessions if an agreement is to be
reached.
Discussions then turned upon the
amount of reductions the leather
trade could stand without serious in
jury. On this subject a variety of
opinions were expressed, many of
which appeared to some of the con-
ferees to be inconsistent considering
the relations sole leather bears to
boots and shoes, and that harness
bears to finished and parts of shoes.
Soon it was developed that the con-
ferees would have to confer with as
! sociates not on the conference COM
| mite and therefor adjournment was
| taken until 10 o'clock this morning.
| Stir Special Interests.
The news that the conferees had
! excluded the clerks of the commit
tee and were trying TO reach dici-
sions on the important items in dis
pute. was not long in reaching the
| hordes of lobbyists in the corridor
! leading to the conference chamber
From that moment everything was
| confusion. The representatives OF
! special interests used. without sue
cess, every sort of artful dodge in
their anxiety to learn something OF
the nature of the proceedings. Sew
eral times the voices of the confer
ees sounded through-the walls at a
high pitch, and this, added to the en-
] element. If there was any friction
it was smoothed over before the con
Ference was adjourned. All. of the
| members came out of the chamber
smiling. aras' 20 -
/ The cotton schedule was consider
ed at the forenoon session. While
this schedule was not disposed of the
conferees are practically in agree
| ment to adopt the senate increase:
in merceriZed cottons, but to reduce
a number of the senate rates on low
er grades. 1t is said that most o.
the specific duties which were adopt
ed in lieu of the existing ad valoren
for the purpose of preventing under
valuation, will be accepted.
i Said Beveridge VIII Win.
! 1t was announced yesterday tina
the increased rates of internal rev
} enue tax on tobacco, which wer,
adopted by the senate at the instance
of Senator Beveridge, will be ac
cepted. 1t was reported yesterda
that these amendments would b.
eliminated from the bill, and Senator
Beveridge protested with good result
to President Taft and Secretary o
the Treasury MacVeagh.
The conferees yesterday accepted
senate amendment imposing dut
of 45 per cent ad valorem on struct
ural steel punched for use. In de
termining this rate the house mem
bers had their first roll call of tn
conference. This method of dispos
ing of the question was regarded a
significant. in view of the Statement
by Representative Payne that h
would not be governed merely b.
the will of a majority of the repuh
, lican conferees of the house. a
Mr.. Payne voted with the majority il
t favor of the senate increase, how
5 ever, no issue was raised.
Hold Dwight Responsible.
There was some disappointment
when it was learned that the hous
had adjourned until Tuesday, as tina
action makes it impossible for tn
conferees to make a report befor
Tuesday. Representative Dwight c
New York, the house whip" will b
held responsible if there is any de
$ lay. Answering some criticism We:
= l hat ho ~