Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-27
TARIFF BILL
Taft Framing Policy Party Is
to Stake Its Future On.
LOW PROTECTION KEYNOTE
Longworth to Guide Destinies of
Wool Measure in House.
DISCOUNTS ROOSEVELT BOOM
Action of Son-in-Law in Backing
President Regarded as Significant.
Status of China Row.
DISCOUNTS ROOSEVELT BOOM

Representatives Payne and Hill, leaders
of the minority representation upon the
ways and means committee of the House,
spent some time with President Taft to-
day talking over the wool bill that is
being made up by the republican men,
bers of the committee. 1t was learned
that the conference was not definite; was
not intended to he, and simply considered
some of the many phases of the meas
ure upon which the republican policy will
stake its political future in the next
presidential compaign. This bill. as al
ready stated in The Star, will represent
the policy Of the President and the re-
publican leaders Of Congress ON the tariff
Boiled down, the bill will be a protection
measure, carrying the very lowest
amount of protection that American
farmers. workingmen and manufacturers
can stand without being put on the same
basis as foreigners.
Longworth Backing Taft.
1t is significant that Representative
LOngworth of the ways and means COM
mittee is to represent the Administered ton
in large measure in the handling Of
this bill. Mr.. Longworth is the son-in-
law of Theodore Roosevelt, whose name
is now being used throughout the country
in a last attempt to defeat President Taft
for the republican nomination. Mr. Long
worth, although standing on his own
feet, politically and otherwise. Is close to
his father-in-law. He is likewise close to
Mr.. Taft. He knows definitely that Col.
Roosevelt will not permit his name to be
used in opposition to Mr.. Taft, and he is
proceeding. with all the earnestness he
can command, to forward the prospects
of Mr.. Taft both for denomination and re-
election In the tariff fight that looms
ahead in Congress and throughout the
country Mr.. Longworth will often speak
for the President.
Taft people who are familiar with the
facts say they would not want anything
more conclusive as to Col. Roosevelt's
being out of the presidential race than
this attitude Of Nick" LongwOrth. The
Cincinnati statesman, as stated. is not
attached to his distinguished father-in-
law by political or other strings and is re-
markably independent in his course, but
would unQuestionably be for Col. Roose-
Welt if he believed the situation demand
ed 1t, and the colonel was right in
wanting the nomination.
Northumberland in China.
Secretary Knox and Postmaster Gen
eral Hitchcock were cabinet officers with
President Taft today. Mr.. Knox being
an early caller. 1t is understood there
was nothing in the Chinese situation OF
Importance for Mr.. Knox to discuss with
the President, although developments in
the far east are being watched with
peculiar interest by the State Depart
ment The policy Of the State Depart
ment has not changed In the least. This
country will not interfere in the estab-
1t will simply look out for American
citizens and interests. 1t has in no way
joined in the alleged efforts Of Great
Britain and Japan to discourage the es-
Establishment of republic. Cnofiicially
the administration is disposed to sympa-
thize with the proposition of republic
and probably will be the first country in
the world to recognize such a government
when started into service.
Mcguire Carries Good Cheer.
81 have just been bearing word of
good cheer to President Taft" said Rep
resentative Mcguire of Oklahoma today.
Il have been getting letters from all
parts OF the state. and these letters IRE
practically unanimous in standing by
President Taft for another term 1 have
never seen the people Of my state so
unanimous for man. They believe he
has been misunderstood and misrepre-
sented, and they are out for a square
deal for the man who has always given
it to Others even II he has not advertised
ii much"
President Taft's Christmas presents
which continue to reach him. included two
back scratchers from q Michigan manu-
facturer of these implements. Included
with the letter Is a picture Of fat man
forced to make use Of a convenient door,
and another of the joy the same man
feels after using scratcher. Winding
up his letter. the Michigan man says:
should you have occasion to use them
before 1912 please entertain the happy
thought that Michigan is at your back. "