The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-20
Senate Is Suspicious of the Maximum and Minimum
 Clause of Measure
BIGGEST FIGHT ID COME
 OVER THIS PROVISION
It Is Reported That Taft Will Let His Cabinet Have Greater Sway Than Was Conferred By His
 Predecessor.
By wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

By PATTERSON STEALEY.
 Washington, March 19-fSpeciaI) )-The maximum and minimum provision will likely cause the principal debate in the Senate over the Payne bill. The more the maximum and minimum features of the Payne bill studied by many of -the members of Congress. the more they in- cline to doubt their wisdom It is a cer- tainty that not only will the maximum and minimum features of the bill bs sharply scrutinized, but they will be the subject of much debate. and will be strongly opposed on the floor. not alone in the House. but in the Senate.
 In some quarters the opinion Is ex- pressed that the bill cannot mass in ifs present form as to maximum and mini mum. It Is declared that if the repuhIi- can organization tries to force the bill through without modification of these pro- visions, there will be a long controversy which will greatly stretch out the debate and might even defeat the bill
 The objection raised to the maximum and minimum idea as carried out in the Payne bill is that 1t Is solely retaliatory. that it contemplates the raising of a club against other countries. The bill is so drawn that if it becomes a law, and any country discriminates against any of Americas exports, not giving the most favored-nation concessions as to every kind of goods then the maximum tariff will apply against goods from the country in question. The maximum Is 20 per cent above the rates named in the bill itself.
 Just what percentage of the imports to this country would be obliged under this provision to pay the maximum is not fully worked out. Some experts, how ever, declare that four-ffths of the fin- ports to this country would have to pay the 20 per cent increase of duties New Cabinets Power.
 Among close friends of President Taft 1t is said that the members of his cabinet will enjoy greater political power than has ever before been delegated to the official family in this country.
 Opportunity to observe the new Presi dents policy in regard to awarding pat ronage has been afforded in the last few days, owing to the many requests which have been passed up to him by Senators. Representatives, and private citizens. It has been matter for comment that in extremely few cases has MT. Taft either made promises of gifts to come or indi- cated where they might be bestowed
 This is explained by the wish. attributed to him by his friends to relieve himself as far as possible of the petty worry and annoyance of having to deal with every piece of Federal patronage and to give the members of his cabinet the chance to say much in such awards.
 In other words the President is de- scribed as wishing to have the govern ment operated with the foresight care and economy which would be observed in the conduct of a private business. He believes that much of this can be ac- complished if he gives the members of his ca binet to understand that they will be free in large measure to select their assistants and subordinates with the sole design of getting out of them the best work and the best results. He will let the ca binet know that he expects this and that it Is free to govern itself ac- cordngly.
 General Legislation.
 It is probable that there will be gen. eral legislation during the extra session of Congress. The House will, of course. have a considerable amount of time hang ing heavily on its hands while the Sen ate is debating the Payne tarif bill. and it could very easily take up other meas ures
 Practically every member of the House has several bills drawn up, and already more than 300 have been introduced. The authors of some of them are so close to Speaker Cannon that it is almost cer- tain that they have information to the effect that there is a chance that the measures will be considered. Although Cannon has only appointed such commit tees as are absolutely necessary for the operation of the house machinery at this time Asher Hinds, parliamentary clerk, continues to mark the bills with his red pencil, referring them to such committees as public buildings and grounds, and post offices and post-roads
 Another indication that the Speaker has under consideration the proposition of permitting general legislation is a re- mark dropped in debate yesterday by Chairman Payne of the ways and means committed Some one on the democratic side shouted that the Speaker should ap- point the committees at once. Don't be inpatient" said Mir. Payne. "It Is more than probable that several commit tees will he appointed in a short time"
 Civil Service In South.
 From what can be learned. President Taft will follow the Roosevelt policy of putting southern postmasters under civil service.
 Although the first examination of ap- plicants for the fourth class pestmaster- ships in states will not be held until March 27, many applications for the ex- animation have been received by the civil service commission. In these applications, the applicant has to tell who are his bondsmen, where he would locate the postoffice and how he stands In his Se,n- munity. He has to su nit maps showing the location of his proposed office. If for any reason, protest is made against an applicant or the commission feels that investigation should be made, special agents are sent to the scene to investi- gate and report.
 This general plan has shown itself so satisfactory that not much doubt of It's being applied to the south and all other