Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-23
TAFT HELPS THE SITUATION
His Firm Stand Produces Order
Where All Was Chaos.
RAW MATERIAL MAKES TROUBLE
House Members Who Oppose Free List
Plan Are Formidable.
NO IMPRESSION ON PAYNE
Representative who Favor senate
Rates Get Small Encourage
ment from Leader of the
House.

WASHINGTON. July 22-President Taft
appears to have brought about a tangible
situation with regard to the tariff where
uncertainty existed before.
Today was one of conferences and con-
cluded with a consultation at the White
House tonight participated in by the pres
ident Senator Aldrich and Representa-
tive Payne, at which the chief executive
was assured that harmonious settlement
of the differences existing between the two
branches of congress Is practicable.
This conclusion was reached from the
fact that harmony pervaded the various
conferences held at the capitol today. The
senators opposed to the free raw material
program were consulted by Senator Aid
rich and committee representing the
same position on the house side held
conference with Chairman Payne.
In addition the house conferees met this
afternoon to have the experts of the SEN
ate finance committee explain the senate
changes in the cotton schedule
President Helps situation.
1t is evident that the president by in
forming the conferees that the disputed
points were before them for settlement
brought about a condition that augurs
we'll for an early agreement OF confer
ence report. The chief executive was able
to get a better insight into the obstacles TO
the free raw material" plan by his con-
ference with the two leaders than was
possible in so large a gathering at which
was present at the dinner last night
Senator Aldrich last night met a large
number of senators who are opposed to
free hides, coal and iron ore and no en-
couragement was offered for the placing
of any of these articles on the free list
In fact, were it possible to get those
senators to yield the situation in the house
would have to be dealt with. The tariff
insurgents" in the house, who are op-
posed to free raw materials, met again
today and adopted resolutions protesting
against the plan They designated Rep
resentatives Gaines CIV. Val, Mondell
(Wyo0 and Kennedy (O.), as a committee
to confer with Representative Payne.
The latter did not offer the Insurgents
much encouragement. He explained that
he was chairman OF the committee which
reported the tariff bill, and that he was
appointed as a conferee to have the house
provisions adopted in preference to the
senate provisions
IGIckers Are Formidable.
publican whip of the house. conferred with
Senator Aldrich late this afternoon and
informed him that the anti-free raw ma
terial sentiment in the house was a mat
ter which required serious consideration.
He said that its strength had grown to
forty-five members.
The advocates of dutiable hides in both
houses declare that a compromise is pos
sible, but that they cannot consider the
placing OF these articles on the free list.
One of the conferees declared that the plan
to reduce the rates on leather goods to
compensate for free hides was not feasible
without long delay, and that the president
undoubtedly would accept the judgment of
the conferees on this point.
With regard to the free reciprocity pro-
vision on coal in the house bill there was
a firm stand. The members interested in
coal declared that such a provision would
make the situation with regard TO coal un-
| tenable for the operatives, and that a re
duction in the senate rate without a clause
for reciprocal free trade was more accept
! able
Small Duty ON Iron Ore.
That a nominal duty on iron ore will be
agreed to by the conferees was the indica-
tion tonight. No determination as TO the
rate has been suggested, but the opinion
is expressed by several of the conferees
| that It will be one that will place the
domestic and imported ores on an equal
footing at the Atlantic seaboArd. 1t is
| understood that Representative Payne is
! insisting on absolutely free ora
Owing to the diversified opinions ex-
pressed with regard to oil, Il Is more than
likely that the conference report will place
petroleum on the free list without q counter
vailing duty proposition. The house I'm
surgents" have indicated their willingness
TO concede free oil II the other raw ma
terials are made dutiable.
General discussion of the customs court
and corporation tax provisions. and OF the
duties on cotton goods, gloves and hosiery,
| took up the time OF the conferses ct this
mornings session and adjournment was
! taken to permit a separate meeting Of the
! house conferees. II was decided that the
headquarters Of the customs court OF ap,
peals shall be located in Washington.
! General Sharretts and Marion Do Vries
of the board OF general appraisers and w
II. Parkhill, an examiner In the New York
customs house, explained to the house con-
ferees the purpose Of the senate changes
in the cotton schedule and the probable ef-
fects Of these changes.
They pointed out that the specific rates
would not exceed the rates which It had
been the intention OF the Dingley law "a
collect, but that IN operation several OF
the senate rates would be lower than those
Of the house. The entire time OF the house
conferees was taken up In the discussion
Of the cotton schedule