The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-22
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Lengthy Conference on the Porte
Rican Bill.

Yesterday was a busy day for tho
President More than the usual number OF
! callers were at the White House to pay
their respects and discuss important bu,i-
ness. In the morning Senator's Fair
banks, Burrows and Mcmillan were
with the President and a long conference
upon he Porto Ricsn bill was held. The
senators. as usual. were reticent as TO
what was said. but from the few remarks
made by them it was apparent that they
entertain serious doubts as To the fate OF
the tariff provision of the bill.
Senator Burrows talked more than his
colleagues who have been to see the Presi-
dat s:cnt the Porto Rican bill. He said
he thought the bill would pass in about a
week, confirming the somewhat significant
remark made Tuesday BY Senator Foraker
as he was leaving the Presidents recep-
ton room that there would be nc important
action taken for week Mr.. Burrows said
that the bill will probably bc amended.
1t is said that at the conference Sena-
tor Fairbanks in the general discussion
urged the adoption OF the Beveridge free
trade amendment. pleading that while he
should like to vote for a party measure.
the pressure from home was too strong
10 be allowed to pass UNDECIDED
Senators Burrows and Mcmillan It Is
said stood out for the bill in its present
form, but intimated that they would be
willing TO vote with the majority when it
has been 6.termined definitely that the
tariff provision Will have to be dispensed
with
The President is said to have taken no
part In the discussion except to urge har-
mony. It is said that he has ceased Civ
ing advice unless asked for It, and then
discusses the matter with considerable re-
serve.
Representative Pugh. OF Kentucky. with
o. E. Wilson. a lawyer from Louisville,
called during the day. The political sit
uation in Kentucky was discussed the
President, it is said, expressing the hope
that solution of the difficulty may soon
be arrived at and reiterating his deter
mination not to intervene unless to put
down insurrection.
A party OF representative Methodists
who are here to arrange a programme fos
the western section of the Ecumenical
Conference, embracing all Methodist sects
of tie United States and Canada, which
meets in London in September, 1901. saw
the President in the afternoon. The dele
cation was received in his library where
he spent about fifteen minutes discussing
the work of the coming convention
In the party were Bishop Galloway,
Bishop Hurst, Bishop Waters, of the
American Methodist Episcopal Church;
Rev. Dr. Carmen. the Canadian represent
tative: Rev. DR.. Tigert. of Nashville: Rev.
DIR. Mason, of New York; Prof. Van Wick.
of Middletown. Conn; Rev. DR.. Tagg, OF
Baltimore. and Dr. II. X. Carroll, former
Porto Rican Commissioner.
George r. FinIay and Manuel Fernandez
Juncos. who have been in the city some
time urging action on Porto Riean affairs,
called on the President early in the morn
ing. but was unable to see him until late
in the afternoon. They told Mr.. McKin-
ley of having received fresh advices CT
the increasing distress caused by the delay
In passing the Porto Rican bill. The Presi-
dent assured them that every effort is
being brought to bear to settle the CUES
ton. He sent them to see Senator Fora
kerr