The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-21
Chairman of the Committee on
Ways and Means
Can Block Tariff Legislation If
HE Ch lose to DO So.
CAN'T FIND THE VOTES
The President Unable to Secure
Enough hacking.
Senate Won't Stand for Free
Hides and Coal.

Washington, July Undetermined to
present to President Taft tonight
programme for the settlement Of the
dispute over raw materials or at least
to define the issues so sharply inst the
executive may be put in q position to
weigh the merits of the ccntroverted
points, the tariff conferees today took
up in earnest the five big subjects that
had been held in allegiance by the at
tftude of the administration. The con-
ferees were said to realize that their
position would be unenviablt, ie they
were to go to the White House dinner
tonight and report that trey had been
unable to reach an agreement on iron
ore, lumber, oil, hides ard coal ard
that they could offer no basis EJr an
adjustment of any of these problems.
From reports that have reached The
capitol it is said that the president has
not been successful in getting sufficient
votes to put hides or coal on the free
list and that the inclusion of free coal
and hide in the conference report
would result in its rejection by lhe
senate. Senator Aldrich is believed to
have told the president as much yes
terday.
Payne a Stumbling Block.
The only obstacle in the way of
making d compromise report putting
making reductions in the duties on
coal, hides and lumber is believed to pe |
Representative Payne. If he should re-
fuse to sign a report none could be
made 1t makes no difference whether |
his signature is attached to the .ntnoc- |
ity or majority, but his signature must
be had if there is to be tariff legisla- |
ton. If he exaets the placing of hiGes !
on the free list and the adoption of |
reciprocal provision which would mean |
free entry of coal from Canada, as tie
price the senate conferees say there is |
no possibility of nagreement
Iron ore was talked over immediate |
y on the conferees being called 20 o.
der today. This is one of the subjects |
on the administration programme on I
which it is expected the senate would |
have to yield.
Curtis Willing to Yield.
Senator Burrows took strong |
stand against placing iron ore on the |
free list and a long discussion follow /
ed. It was apparent that majority
of the conferees would be willing to /
have this article free. Tt was expect
ed that oil would be put on the free
list. The fight for & countervailing
der the leadership of Senator Curtis,
but he has announced to some of the
conferees that in view of President
Taft's statements he would withdraw
from the fight.
The conferees believe that if they
could go to the presidents dinner to-
night with the statement that they had
been able to agree to the proposition
that oil and iron ore should be free it
could not be charged that no progress
had been made with the latest task
imposed upon them by the executive.
There is little hope of an adjust
ment of the differences over lumber
hides or coal today and these subjects
in all probability will literally "be put
up to the president" Another sub
ject which it was desired should be
settled was wood pulp and print paper.
Aldrich as HarInOnizcr.
You see 1 came out last today
bantering 1y said Chairman Payne as
he emerged from the conference
chamber for luncheon. I'VE have
made good progress he added. His
good natured remark was construed
10 mean that the ill feeling of Mon
days session had been eradicated.
Mr.. Payne was the last member of
the conference committee to leave the
chamber. His associates of the house
left in body. followed
closely by Senator AIdrich and the
other senate members.
Mr.. Aldrich paced the corridor of
his private rooms. where he was en-
gagged in a discussion of hides with
Senator Lorimer. 1t is understood
Mr.. Lorimer was Informed that the
senate rate on hides would have to