The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-22
Steel Makers Fear ImpOst
Oh Industry to Pay for
Preparedness.
MAY SETTLE FATE
OF WILSON'S IDEAS
Issue Seen for Republicans,
but Others Suggest Aid
for Democrats.

1, was learned yesterday that much
those who were present say was the
chief topic at Judge Gary's dinner to
Col. Roosevelt. centred on the proposal
Il Pres dent Wilson and his advisers to
and armaments by a tax on pig iron.
fabricated steel and gasolene.
Not only are the steel manufacturers
ready to oppose any tax on pig iron and
fabricated steel. but there has already
developed opposition to the lax on gaso-
ene, particularly ON the part OF Senators
and congressman from the West. The
tax on pig iron and fabricated steel IL
denounced as a tax upon industry and
the steel men stand ready to offer SUBJ
s,itutes 1t is believed that almost any
kind OF a tariff would suit them rather
than a tax to be paid by the industries
I. which will profit chiefly from the pre-
paredness programme.
Nearly every one who was at the Gary
dinner admitted that preparedness was
discussed. Col. Roosevelt has told his
friends that he is more interested in an
adequate army and navy than he is In
anything else. But the men whom he
met at dinner are also much Interested
In the question of who is to foot the bill
Just what forms the discussion at the
dinner took Is not known yet. but II IL
taken for granted that Col. Roosevelts
IDEAS as TO the feasibility of starting q
campaign for the restoration OF general
tariffs rather than for the imposition Of
special taxes were solicited.
Col Roosevelt's following in the West
is very strong and II Is from the West
that the steel men look for aid in turn
ing over the slight Democratic majority
IN the House of Representatives on this
particular proposition OF paying for de-
fence. Politicians have figured that to
combine the opponents Of tax on gaso-
lepe with those who will oppose tax on
iron and steel products would go long
way toward defeating Mr.. Wilson's pro-
granme
In this connection 1t Is pointed out
that defeat of the preparedness pro-
Csmme of the Democrats will leave q
clear field for the Republicans to say
what they would have done had they
been in power and what they will do IL
they are returned to power by the elec-
tens Of l9l6.
Picnses Wilson Men.
A man high in the councils of the Re-
publican party. who does not try to
conceal his preference for Elihu Root as
,he candidate for the Presidency next
year. made the Interesting suggestion
yesterday that II group of Democrats
had arranged the much talked OF Gary
dinner 70 Col. Roo~evelt last Friday
hight they could not have done more Sor
President Wilson. In his opinion the
Democrats Will make IA great deal OF
Political capital out OF it,
Tbs man said that friends of his In
Washington informed him yeste: day that
The Presidents political managers are
willing to make any kind Of fuss over
the dinner In order TO keep 1t In the fore
from as q topic of political discussion.
They are willing to show all sorts OF
anxiety II speculation will only continue.
IN the end these friends of the President
VII! be in Il position to point to the Gary
dinner as evidence of the fact that the
men who backed the reactionary ele-
mtnt in the Republican party In 1919
are still potent and that Mr.. Roosevelt
v $IlIing 10 be their friend again.
Presence of Democrats.
], r he pointed out that August Bel
mont, Thile a Democrat, IS not con-
sered one OF the Presidents friends
N 1872 Mr. Wilson instructed William
T. McCOmbs TO have nothing to do with
.tt element in the party represented by
NJ Belmont. and above all things to
Keep h.s campaign lists free OF any con-
rloutions from that quarter. Richard
v Liudabury will also be pointed to as
counsel for the United States steel Cor
pordtlor the suit against which was
continued by Mr.. Wilson's Attorney
Generat
Explanations do not come so easy
rhen Jacob H. Schirf and A. Barton
hepburn are mentioned. Both are DEM
ooldis but II IL not doubted that the
pMocrdtic political experts who have
'ouhd Jobs at Washington and who are
sOi- 70 he relied on to write the cam
Ialsn book and other literature Of 1916
VII ma some way 10 hitch them up with
.ne influences which they regard as sin
bler
Now that the dinner Is the subject of
e.,n-r thought and discussion the pre-
'l-'ing ldea seems to be that the one
s4r lN.ue about that dinner was that
t''@e VINO arranged II took 1t for granted
,lhl nothing would be published about II.
.t'f' every one Of the men who were
t'ere VINO has been asked about II has
uI"d li- best 10 learn how the news
p""W' known. The opinion has been ex-
rr''"i mat had Col. Roosevelt thought
s'a' ni- presence there was TO be so soon
hNoAH j" would have declined the invi-
IdA"a. Those who argue otherwise de-
t"I' mat the one man in the world who
Wa sure he wouldn't be hurt by going
"ef' was the Colonel. They declare that
40 man Ia the world could offer a more
pfduslhle explanation than he, and that
10 man could so easily do II. In their
opinion Col. Roosevelt Is a man who
can he hurt politically by anything
he does
DISCUSSION of the dinner and it's possd-
he effects politically brought up the
name % Myron T, Hertck. former Am
tassador 10 France. When Mr.. Herrick
returned TO this country after being re-
Hevcd by Mr., sharp Presidential boom
,.or him was already under way. Then
.e was the guest Of Judge Gary at a
luncheon and the bonn began To subside
By the time Mr.. Herrick reached his
ONO stamping ground IL had collapsed
Many OF the men who attended that
ilh' neon were present at the dinner to