Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-10
TAFT TAKES A HAND.
Presiden. Tells Aldrich Revision Mus.
Be Downward.

'Se'SS'. sSuo SNt0IbSIt n0VIoIOU u8s
Be Downward.
Washington, July 10-President Taft
began yesterday afternoon his long
promised interference in the tariff stu
aticn.
When the president arrived at .he
White House from his trip to Beverly
and Lake Champlain he found awaiting
him Senator Aldrich, chairman of the
finance committee Of the senate and
leader of the senate conferees. The
Rhode Islander presented to the presi-
dent a complete statement showing the
effect of the senate amendments.
Before the conference ended the pres
ident plainly told the senator there
must be substantial reductions in var
ious schedules of the senate and house
bills In order that the republican party
might discharge to the full its revision
pledge to the people.
A comparison Of the two bills has
been made by experts and Mr.. Taft is
studying it. BY Monday the president
also will have the advice Of Secretary
OF the Treasury Macveagh, who is in
New Hampshire, telegram having
been sent this afternoon requesting
him to return Immediately to Wash
ington.
Not only has the president discussed
the schedules with Senator Aldrich and
Representative Payne heads of the
senate and house conferees, but he pro-
poses to ascertain the views of the in
surgents of the senate and house and
endeavor to perfect bill which will
command their support as we'll as his
own and satisfy the revision senti-
ment of the country
It is a colossal task Of conciliation
Mr.. Taft has begun, but it is essential
that it be successfully accomplished If
the republican party Is to be solidified
and continued in power by the people
The president is deeply concerned
over the action of the ten republican
senators and eighteen republican rep
resentatives, all of whom, with a single
exception, represent the middle western
states, in registering their protests
against the kind Of revision which has
been made.
He believes some Of them might have
been induced to adopt a different atti-
tude had they been granted a few con-
cession. but he recognizes particularly
in the case Of the senator's that in vot-
ing as they did they fairly and hon
estly expressed the views Of their con-
stituents. In this recognition there is
hope for the people.
1t is no secret that Mr.. Taft wants
to be reelected in 1912 as an indorse-
+ment of his administration. A study
of the seven states from which the
boiling senators hail shows that with
the exception of Nebraska, which went
for Bryan, and Minnesota and Wiscon-
sin, which gave Taft heavy pluralities,
the republican ticket was elected by
comparatively small pluraMties, The
president carried Iowa, for example, by
a plurality of only s5.s52. Indiana by a
plurality of 1854, South Dakota by
27.129, and Kansas by 36,007.
These figures constitute political
warning and furnished the moving
reason for the republican senator's from
these states voting as they did.
But while the president naturally Is
taking the political situation into ac-
count in connection with tariff revis-
ion, the fact is not to be lost sight
Of that he is an honest, highminded
statesman and proposes to do what in
his judgment seems best for the well
fare Of the people AS was said yes
terday, II the conditions demanded the
heaviest kind Of protective tariff and
the sentiment Of the country was ov-
erwhelmingiy against such a course,
still Mr.. Taft would approve the bill,
whatever might be the effect upon Qnis
personal fortunes.
It was asserted that Mr. Taft Is
looking at the tariff question from the
standpoint Of a patriot first. and as a.
party man secondly. He believes the
party would suffer a tremendous. loss
Of prestige II one-sixth Of its number
in the senate and small minority in
the house should fail to support the
bill which finally will be reported by
the conference committee Of the two
houses.
TAFT Wants Free Coal and Iron.
The president Is understood to be-
urging free raw material within the
limits Of the republican protection
principle. He would like to have iron
ore admitted without duty. II he could
get it he would want free coal, but un-
fortunately the house has placed 1
countervailing duty. Of 81 centssA ton
upon this commodity while the senate
has fixed the duty at go cents.
The president must be content,