New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-27
TARIFF BILL MODIFIED.
AGREEMENT IN REPUBLICAN
CONFERENCE.
PASSAGE OF THE PUERTO RICAN MEAS
URE SEEMS ASSURED-RATES RE-
DUCED AND OPERATIONS
ERTO RICAN MEAS
LIMITED.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE-l


Washington Feb 26-The action Of the Re-
publican conference tonight tnsures the passage
of the Puerto Rican Tariff bill. with certain
notifications suggested by Chairman Payne, OF
the Ways and Means Committee. and other
friends of the measure. Instead Of p per cent
of the Dingley rates of duty between the United
States and Puerto Rico. 10 per cent Of these
rates is to be imposed. and the act is to expire
by limitation on March 1, 1902. The title is
amended so as to indicate that the act IS 10
raise revenue for the relief of Puerto Rico. and
other notifications are made to show clearly
that the measure is a temporary and provisional
one. The action of the conference was so near
ly unanimous as in the opinion Of such expe-
rienced men as Speaker Henderson. Chairman
Cannon. of the Appropriations Committee, and
Chairman Payne, of Ways and Means. and other
leaders, to indicate almost solid Republican
vote for the bill.
For this result much is due 10 the earnest and
incisive speeches of Speaker Henderson, Chair
man Payne and other friends Of the bill. and to
the fact that the actual attitude of the Presi-
dent and members of his Administration in re-
gard to the measure is better and more generally
understood than it was two or three days ago.
The discussion preceding the votes on the prop
ositons submitted full, frank and general
as we'll as earnest. but the best OF feeling pre-
vailed throughout and with perhaps four ex-
|
conference. observed. the rising vote the main
propositions was unanimous. none denOting dis
sent and only five remaining in their seats
OF course, there is a chance that the danger
of defeat is not yet wholly removed, and it may
not be before the vote is taken; but it causes
less anxiety at this hour than it has at any pre-
vious time. The anti-expansionists and free
traders will not be likely TO succeed in their at
tempt to overwheIm the Republican majority OF
the House f Representatives this time.
About one hundred and twenty-five Republi-
cans attended the conference which was held
| in the hall of the House of Represen ntatives to-
night The leaders had been In consultation al
most all day, discussing plans for overcoming
the opposition to the bill and bringing the re-
/ calcitrants into line. 50 much had been made
by the "kickers' of the alleged opposition Of the
President to the bill that the managers were
particularly desirous of being able to offer some
| assurances that would remove all objections TO
the measure that point, and this AFTERNOON
/ the Republican members of the Ways and Means
! Committee, with the exception of Ny. Mccall. OF
| Massachusetts, the dissenting Republican, called
on the President at the White House
! PRESIDENT APPEALS FOR HARMONY.
| After that consultation Mr. Hopkins. of I'LL
nois, authorized the following statement OF the
| Presidents position:
| The President earnestly hopes that the Repub-
|
| measure and not allow the Democrats to take
| control of the House
! The Republican members of the Ways and
| Means Committee. together with Speaker Hen
derson. remained az the Capitol canvassing the
| situation in the interval between the adjourn
| ment of the House ct 3 o'clock and the assem-
bling of the conference at s. Chairman Cannon
| presided over the conference. As soon as it had
been called to order Mr.. Payne. of New-York.
| the floor leader submitted two amendments
which he said the Ways and Means Committee
was prepared 70 offer to the bill. One of them
| changed the title TO make il "a bill for tempo
| rariIy raising revenue for Puerto Rico" The
other added a new section limiting its opera
tion to March 1, 1902 unless sooner repealed
Mr.. Shattuc. Of Ohio, opened the proceedings
with plain statement to the effect that he was
willing to defer his own opinion in this matter
to the wishes of the President, although he
| was convinced that his constituents favored
| free trade with Puerto Rico He demanded to
| know however and he wanted equivoca-
ton about It, whether the President believed
the bill was constitutional and whether he fav-
| ored the measure. If he did not, Mr. Shattuc
| announced that he would not be bound by the
| action Of the conference.
This brought Mr.. Payne to his feet. He said
| he had seen the President this afternoon, and
he announced emphaticaly that the President
| was convinced that the bill constitutional
| and would sign It. Mr.. Corlss of Michigan,
| backed up Mr.. Payne with the statement that
he had seen the President since the House ad-
| journed and the President desired the bill to
| pass. Mr.. Grow. of Pennsylvania, the venerable
| ex-Speaker of the House, said that the amend
ments proposed made the bill an emergency
measure against which the question of consti-
| tutionality ought not TO be raised. and Mr..
| Marsh. of Illinois, earnestly appealed to the re-
| caIctrants to rally around the Republican stand
| ard bury their dissensiOns.
NO hNy