New-York tribune., 1911-01-29
CONCRESSMEN SEE LIGHT
Continued from nrst page.


cxerted on the President, first. TO divert
him from any such purpose, and second.
TO induce him to promise not 20 call
special session. on the other hand, every
one who knows the President knows that
there is a point beyond which it is i'm
possible TO influence him. Sometimes It
seems to take a long time TO reach that
polnt. but it is a dead certainty that It is
not safe TO count too long on his willing
ness TO yield to influence, and as for po-
litical considerations, they 90 not count
with him for a moment. Some people
and they include men fairly high in the
councils Of the party--think that the
President signed the Payne tariff bill for
nolitical reasons. But that is not true.
tfo signed Il because he believed that to
"a otherwise would bring about a panic
and cause untold suffering as the result
# unstable financial conditions.
As for the political phase OF the situa-
t,on. It Is entirely credible that the fact
chat some misguided friends suggested to
hin, that he could greatly promote his
own political welfare by vetoing the bill
actually contributed 20 his willingness to
sign II. II is also probably true that II
Senator Aldrich were In Washington he
would 60 10 the White House and urge
,,ror tbe President the view that he would
he contributing 10 his own political pop
uIaritv by calling q special session on
the Canadian proposition. and would
thus do more TO discourage that course
than authe opposition in the world
The fact that Mr., Mccall to-day intro
duced a reciprocity resolution instead OF
Mr.. PAYNE. who had said he expected 10
do SO. caused a good deal Of speculation
but as Mr.. Mccall refused to explain
this move. and Mr.. Payne did likewise
all the reasons advanced in explanation
are pure speculation. Dlr. Mccall SAID
when asked about It: "As the author OF
the bill. I am in favor Of 1t, but II Is
measure that should receive very care
ful consideration from the committee
have nothing TO say as 10 why lntFo-
6vced the bill instead Of some other
member or the committee.
When Mr.. Payne was asked why ne
had changed his mind he suddenly pe-
came so deaf that no one could make
him understand the question, and ne
would only reply that the resolution hao
bAen referred to the committee OF "nlch
he is chairman.
One of the explanations offered as 70
why Mr.. Mccall was chosen TO introduce
the resolution is the fact that "hether
openly or secretly, several members OF
the Massachusetts delegation are bitter
" opposed 10 it. and it is suggested tnat
possibly the President thought for that
reason II would be wise to have NaSsa-
chusetts man introduce it OF course,
the Massachusetts Senators will not say
that they are opposed TO the agreement
but their attitude toward free trade in
salted fish with Canada in the past has
been so clear that there can be little
doubt as to what their feelings are, re-
gardless Of the manner in which they
vote, if to vote they are compelled.
The Situation in Congress.
So far as the general situation In Con-
eress is concerned there is no appre-
ciable change from last night The same
members who opposed the proposition
yesterday are equally opposed to it to-
day Those who favored it yesterday
favor It still, and a considerable number
are still waiting to hear from home.
Their views will, in all probability, first
be known when the local press In their
various districts is heard from.
Meanwhile, the White House is as
optimistic as ever.
With regard 70 the political effect Of d
special session called TO deal with this
question-a special session Of a Congress
ir which the House will be Democratic -
there is wide room for speculation. 1t is
reasonably certain that II 1t becomes nee
essary TO adopt that course the President
will also have something to say with re-
gard 10 the duty on Schedule K, wool
and woollen goods, on which the tariff
board would probably be able 20 report
before that session adjourned.
That would make a decidedly interest
ing complication and might result in
holding Congress in session for con.
siderable time-make a repetition, in
fact, on a smaller scale, Of the recent
special tariff session. When this posi-
bility IS fully appreciated by those
members Of Congress whose districts are
especially interested in preserving with
out change the duties on wool and WOOL
lens, they may decide TO throw the full
weight of their influence with the Presi-
dent, and so compel their colleagues to
act on the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment before adjournment
The Mccall Reciprocity Bill.
Tho Mccall bill, after indicating the
duties that are 10 be levied on Canadian
products, provides that they shall be-
come effective as soon as the President
ascertains and issues a proclamation
showing that Canada is levying similar
duties on American products. The free
imp 1rtation OF certain articles is 20
become operative as soon as the Presi-
dent becomes satlshed that Canada is
making similar concessions TO the United
states.
The form of the bill is such that it's
future consideration in the House is a
matter OF uncertainty al the present
time. As q bill to raise revenue 1t will
be subject to amendment and change.
unless a closure rule is first put through
prohibiting amendments and forcing the
House to vote on the reciprocity agree
ment as a whole