The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-08-03
CONFEREES
MEET IN HURRY
Forced to Issue Explanation
on Hide Clause
INSURGENTS CLAIM JOKER
Conference Report in No Danger Of Be-
ing Defeated--Insurgents and
Hide Men May Unite
Forces.
INSURGENTS CLAIM JOKER

washington, Aug. 3.--With the tariff
conference report facing threatened dor
feat in the Senate on account Of an
alleged Joker in the hide and leather
compromise provision, it was decided at
| i p. m. yesterday to convoke the con
ference committee yesterday for the pur-
pose Of preparing an official cxplana-
tion.
The conferees met at 3 P. m.
The alleged "joker" which a number
Of the progressive" Republicans in the
senate are said to have discovered in
the leather schedule 81 the tariff bill,
as reported BY the conferees and which
some Of them have been quoted as say
ing constituted betrayal Of the presi-
dents confidence, brought out che decla-
ration by Mr. Taft to callers yesterday
that the language Of the amendment as
to boots and shoes is exactly as agreed
upon by him, Senator Aldrieh and Repre-
sentative Payne.
President Taft told his callers yester
day that the talk OF Joker" in the
leather schedule was absurd The presi.
dent said that the distinct understanding
was that IN consideration Of free hides
previously dutiable, all articles in which
such dutiable hides were component
parts Of chief value should have reduc.
ton even below the rates fixed in the
House bill, except sole leather itself
which in the House bin had been re-
duced from 20 to per cent, that being
considered low enough.
Within less than three minutes after
converting yesterday, at the usual hour
Of 10 o'clock, the Senate was engaged
upon consideration Of the conference re-
port on the tariff BILL
Not to exceed seven or eight senator's
were in their seats and Of them only
one, Senator Hughes Of Colorado, rep
resented the Democratic side Of the
chamber. Senator Aldrich. chairman Of
the conference committee. was in bic
seat. Mr.. Aldrich caught the eye Of
the chair as soon al the readinn Of The
journal had been completed, and rising,
Al he said, to present d privileged mat
ter, received immediate recognition,
The reading clerk proceeded with the
committees record OF its long proceeding
in conference and By the time the read
ing had gotten well underway. a number
Of other senators had taken their seats.
All gave close attention to the report
Moving ahead as rapidly as possible
IN running over the amendments agreed
to BY the conferees. TIE reading clerk
was interrupted BY Senator Hepburn.
aThe clerk has made no reference 10
the maximum and minimum provisions
said the Idaho senator, addressing the
presiding officer
"He has omitted the cotton schedule, y
declared Mr.. clapp
at is obvious that at least 20 pages
have been turned over without reading,
commented Mr.. Cufberson, joining the.
two Republican senators IN insisting
upon careful compliance with the rules.
1t was evident that there was sit
nation On and II was made plain that
It was the intention Of some Of the
senators, both ''insurgent" Republican
and straight Democrat, to have read
every word Of the long report, which
meant great delay, notwithstanding the
early start. what does Il all meanfn
was asked Of one Of the einsurreetionD
Republicans.
1T means" he replied chat if this
bill becomes law it win not get beyond
the next election"
How are you going 70 insure that
resultg' was the inquiry
@By ventilation" was the terse reply.
Further inquiry failed to develop any
understanding among the Republican
insurgents and their allies, who we're
represented by Mr. Hepburn in his re-
marks. That they would be able to get
together or that even so there would
be enough Of them, when united with
the Democrats, to defeat the conference
report was uncertain The Democrats
and the more radical Of the insurgents"
were quite determined to force regular
ity and throw an the light possible on
the measure.
By this time nearly all the senators