The Washington times., 1909-07-17
Fight for Downward Revis-
ion of Products as Well
as Materials.
MEN IN THE HOUSE
GREATLY ELATED
Executive Did Not Seek Confer
ence With the Unfortunate
Twenty-three."
BY JAMES HAY, Jr.

AHoSe western senators VINO nave al
ready begun to put up the cry that in
lighting for free raw materials, tbs
President has espOused the cause of
New England manufacturers 70 the det-
Fiment Of the remainder of the coun-
try, have founded their complaint on a
mistake
When the President said in his official
statement yesterday afternoon that he
construed the platform Of the Republi-
can party to mean real downward re-
vision, he meant TO convey to the coun-
try his intention 10 secure downward
revision in ali phases of the biiI-not
only free raw materials. but also lower
schedules on the manufactured product.
If he were trying to help New Eng
land. ne would be for free raw materials
and for nigh duties on the manufacture
ed product. Nothing could be further
from his thoughts.
The President stands today, as he
has stood ever since the tariff agitation
began for genuine downward revision.
He said it in his campaign speeches. He
said it yesterday to the unfortunate
twenty-three who went to ask him for
duties on raw materials. and he VIII
say il TO the House and Senate con-
ferees on the pending bill. Those gen
tlemen who have luled to sleep their
fears of downward revision will be
awakened.
Dind't Seek Meeting.
BY White House visitors today il was
pointed out that the President did not
seek the conference yesterday with the
anti-free raw material people They
COZ -
appeared with their arguments. he an
swered them. At first It appeared as If
LIE hal departed from MS policy OF wait
ing until the time came for him TO act
on the bill. But, as matter OF fact,
he did not seek yesterdays interview
for the purpose OF trying 10 brOWbeat
Congress. The delegation forced the is
sue and received defeat as a result of
their action
On the whole, however, it did the
Presidents cause in the House great
good. 1t showed Enthusiastically to every
member Of that body that he is deter
mined 10 have good tariff bill enacted
into law, and that he viii net sign one
unless il is for genuine downward re-
vision.
Members of the House who visited
the White House today were loud in
their praises of the statement. Men
from every section in the country de-
clared 1t meant that an excellent bill
would come out Of the conference.
What Tawney Said.
Representative Tawney of Minnesota,
chairman Of the Committee on Appro-
priatiOns. said:
THE Presidents statement is bound
to result In a good bill
Foster of Vermont said:
'T liked the statement immensely. and
I wish It had come earlier. 1t viii re-
suit in the final framing up Of a measure
which must command the gratitude Of
the entire country"
Prince of Illinois said:
Now that the President has come
so boldly into the tariff fight, I feel
for the cOnferees' report without the
slightest hesitation. It means that the
final form of the bill will be satisfactory
to the peonle-'
and Senate By the Presidents state
ment has been almost amusing. II
has been discussed from every angle
possible Among some of the West
erners in the Senate there Is a, tendency
TO say that the President viii be salts
fed to win his fight for free raw ma
terials. and that he will not use his
power to secure lower rates on manu-
factured products brought into the
United States.
Greatly mistaken.
In this, they are greatly mistaken.
Men who talked with him today declare
uneduivOcally that now, as in the past
he is for general. and not discriminat-
ing, downward revision; that he is for
the abolition OF superfluous protection
wherever it is found; and that he is
earnest in his intention TO secure what
he desires in this regard.
He had with him at breakfast this
morning Representative John DaIzell of
PENNSYLVANIA, and during the day he
will have a conference with Senator
Aldrich, and, perhaps, others of the
conferees.
1t now seems more than probable that
the bill will not be ready for MS sigma
ture by july 24 but it is not thought
that IL will be more than two or three
days later than that date
The outlook for his securing the sort
OF a bill he desires is excellent. The
House is in the main, with him in his
fight for a downward bill, and the
Senate will probably be brought 10 see
the wisdom of following the lead o the
House
That he would veto the bill II -
not suit him no one today denies ou-
there are many who express the o. Nor
that he can go out and set from tas
conferees what ne wants. good bill