Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-02
WHAT MEMBERS SAY
Senator Gray Looks for Action on
Cuba.
EXPECTS 4 PROTRACqED SESSION
Representative Tawney on Tariff
and the Currency.
o T H E r PIN 10 N S

Senator Gray, who arrived in Washington
this morning, expresses the opinion that
Congress will take some action as to Cuba.
He said that he thought the opinion was al
most universal that the so-calIed autonomy
plan proposed by Spain would be a failure.
1t would, of course, not be accepted by
Cuba. In the first place, the proposition
seemed to have string to 1t.
The Legislative powers 1t pretended to
give the Cubans seemed to be restricted or
negatived by the power given the governor
general to put at naught what the Cuban
legislative bodies might do. In the second
place, the Cubans wanted simply their in
dependence and were not likely to accept
anything short of that
In our own revolution, he said. when
Great Britain saw that we were about to
gain our liberty, reforms wete inaugurated,
and the degree of liberty which the Amer
lean colonies had originally demanded was
readily granted. But it was then too late.
We were then fighting for perfect freedom,
and would not accept anything snort of it.
They were not ready to grant reforms
until their power was broken. Then 1t was
too late. The proposition for reforms In
Cuba, even if made in earnest. seem to
come too late" he said, land 1 think that
there will at the proper time be action TAX
en- by Congress"
Mr.. Gray said that he thought it likely
that there would be a protracted session
of Congress, with great deal of discus
sion. There would be no change in the
rules of the Senate, and there would be
great latitude of debate.
With relation to Hawaii. he said that
there would be very lively fight He was
quite sure that the treaty of annexation
could not be ratified, but he could not say
how successful would be the effort TO an
mex the islands by joint resolution. He was
sure however, that there would be great
struggle before it was done.
Confident of Annexation.
Senator Lodge today declined to discuss
the Cuban situation, but expressed the
opinion that the annexation of Hawaii was
certain. He said that the advocates of
annexation thought they had the neces-
sary two-thirds of the Senate for the rati-
fcation of the treaty at the close of the
special session, and that they had probably
not lost any ground since. but that in all
events the annexation would be effected,
if not by the ratification of the treaty, then
by the passage of joint resolution OF
Congress. There was no doubt about there
being a large majority in each branch of
Congress in favor of annexation.
Moderate Currency Changes.
Representative Tawney of Minnesota,
member of the ways and means committee,
has arrived in the city and spent some time
at the Capitol today. In conversation with
estingly of public affairs
There is the greatest satisfaction
throughout The west with the Dingley BILL"
he said. THE people are already feeling
the good effects of the new tariff law.
Il was i'll Colorado short time ego and
was told that the owners of lead mines are
receiving ~ per cent more for the product
of their mines than year ago. The wool
interests throughout the west have been
benefited immensely. Wool growers are
getting IL cents pound for their wool
now. where they obtained only cents
pound last year. 1t can be truthfuliy said
that all other lines of agricultural ami in
dustrial interests have been benefited in
proportion.
There is doubt in my mind that by
the end of this year the Dingley law will
produce all the revenue necessary for the
government. The Secretary of the Treas
try viii undoubtedly report deficit in the
revenues at this time, but that need not
be at all alarming. The deficit Will be
overcome before the end of the fiscal year.
We all expected Of course. that the large
ahticipatory importations which were made
under the auspices of the Wilson law would
seriously affect the revenues.
1T IS true, however, that the improved
condition of business throughout the coun-
try is rapidly consuming the stocks of
goods brought in prior to the passage IF
the Dingley act, ard as they become ex-
hausted the effects of the new law will be
1elt."
DO you look for any currency legisla-
tom ne was asked.
Il do not see any chance of carrying
through a general scheme of currency re-
form, and in tie absence of that probable
ity l do not think it would be wise for the
House to undertake policy involving
sweeping reforms in the currency. We
might however, with propriety adopt the
suggestions made by Speaker Reed of
Maine in the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth
Congresses for stopping the drain upon the
geld reserve and providing temporary ex-
ped!ent in emergencies
What do you think will be done about
Cuba?' Mr.. Tawney was asked.
I'm that matter l think it will only be
fair to wait and see what the President
recommends. He is undoubtedly better in
formed upon the situation in Cuba than
Congress can possibly be at this time, and
l don't think anything will be done until
ne recommends action
Considerable Consultation and Delay.
Senator Carter said today that he
thought there would be considerable time
consumed in consultation and figuring
about before any definite plans of legisla-
ton would be settled upon No one, he
said, could tell what might develop with
relation to Cuba and to finance.
He said he thought there would be a
long discussion of the Hawaiian question
before that was disposed of. and that mean
while other matters would be forming. He
did not think there was any ground for
doubt that Hawaii would be annexed, but
ii might take some time to accomplish it,
whether it was done by the ratification of
the treaty or by legislation by both houses
of Congress.
Doesn't Expect Financial Liquidation.
Representative Walker of Massachusetts,
chairman of the House committee on bank
ing and currency, says that he does not
think 1t possible to secure any financial
legislation. He says that there will proba-
bly, have to be two more presidential cleo
lions and four or five more panics before
Congress can be brought down to legisla-
ton for financial reform. Meanwhile, how
ever, he Is going to work to get some meas
ure out of his committee, If possible He
will appoint his subcommittee before Con-
gress meets. and they will be ready to take
Up the question as soon as the session
opens.
a General View.
Very few men in Congress who have not
been friendly to Spain from the first be-
lleve that any good is to come from the
more liberal policy adopted by Spain at the
eleventh hour. but think rather that the al
legged change of policy is but an evidence