New-York tribune., 1900-03-22
THE PUERTO RICAN TARIFF
FRIENDS OF THE HOUSE BILL MORE
CONFIDENT THAN EVER
OF ITS PASSAGE
OF ITS PASSAGE.

lBr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSE.l
Washington, March 21.-The Republican Sem
ators who for various In favor Of
entire or partial free trade between the United
States and Puerto Rico still declare that they
can muster votes enough to carry their point,
falling in that to defeat the tariff bill They
assert that fewer than twelve Republican
Senators will refuse TO vote for that measure. 1t
Is exceedingly difficult 10 find any tangible foun-
oation for these assertions. and they en-
phatically disputed by the advocates Of the
pending bill, who more confident to-day
than yesterday of a safe majority for
IL. A quiet investigation to-day disclosed the
fact that at least five of the Senators who 1t
WAS asserted would refuse to support the bill
had decided TO vote for ii. 1t also showed that
there has been a good deal of other loose talk
by some OF the opponents of the measure in
gard TO 1t. The attitude Of the President has
been perhaps unintentionally, misrepresented.
but there cannot be any longer for
doing so or for misunderstanding his position
which correctly described in these dispatches
last night.
MODIFICATION PROPOSED.
The tendency now is strongly in favor of the
prompt passage of the House bill separate
measure. with a slight modification Of Section 5,
and il is understood that such action would not
be distasteful TO the Administration. Section
of that bill provides that:
This act shall be taken and held to be pro-
visionai in its purposes, and intended to meet
pressing present need for revenue for the island
of Puerto Rico, and shall not continue in force
after the first day OF March, 1902.
modification suggested is to declare affirm
atively that the operation of the act shall termi
nate at earlier date than March !, 1902. IL in
the mean time sufficient for the island
shall have been provided from other sources
TIL Of tho r, n
House contend that the alteration proposed
might make clearer but would not change the
intent Of Congress as expressed in the original
text Of the measure. The intent win, of course.
be observed by the Executive in any event, but
there some who favor a provision directly
authorizing him TO suspend the operation of the
act whenever in mis- Judgment adequate
shall have been otherwise provided from
other sources and by other means. Some Sen
ators, also. are still IN favor of an amendment
of the House bin as to provide either that all
imports into Puerto Rico from the United States
shall be admitted free Of duty that such i'm
ports, which now exempted from payment of
duty by Executive order, shall continue to be
exempted. These imports mainly bread
stufs, provisions agricultural implements, agri-
cultural and other machinery, and books, maps.
apparatus and furniture for the use of schools
PUERTO RICANS URGE PROMPT ACTION.
The pressure for speedy action by. Congress
is steadily gaining in force and volume. The
Puerto Ricans now in Washington especially
anxious 10 have the question disposed of
practicable, in order to relieve the distress in
the island. Mr. Finlay and Sehor Juncos visited
the White House to-day to express their views
to the President this subject and the former
said to him. in substance:
The news we get from Puerto Rico is disheart-
ening. The situation is growing more appalling
II iG hat lath
be done by Congress- or the starvation and dis
tress will appeal TO the whole world. 1t is COM
nercial legislation that is needed now. Let Con-
gress do something at once We wanted free
trade, but will take any kind of a bill now.
ment can come later. 1t is hoped the Senate will
separate the tariff and civil government. bills
and do something about customs first.
Similar views have been expressed by them in
conversations with Senators and Representa-
tives.
CAUSES OF THE OPPOSITION.
It is becoming more apparent from day to day
that the extent of the opposition to the House
bill throughout the country has been consd
erably exaggerated, and that most of the senti-
rnent against it has been created by misrepre
sentations OF the provisions of the measure and
ignoring the conditions which make such pro-
visions necessary, but the opposition is due in
part to another cause, in the opinion of some
Congressman. They say that the impression in
some quarters is strong that the Puerto Ricans
are entitled TO the rights. immunities and privi-
leges of citizens of the United States by virtue
of the treaty of cession and that considerable
effort will be required to eradicate that impress
sion.
The members of the majority of the Ways and
Means Committee and other leading and tnfluen-
tial Representatives continue to urge strong
ly the passage by the Senate of the
House bill without amendment. Several of them,
after a conference with Senator Foraker and
other members Of the Harmony Committee to-
day, felt confident that such a would be
pursued and they expressed the opinion that the
committee at meeting tomorrow, would de-
eide to recommend 1t. They also regard the
passage Of the bill virtually assured.
THE HARMONY COMMITTEES WORK.
It was expected that the Harmony Commit
tee would hold meeting late this afternoon,
but other matters engaged the attention Of
the members. and the meeting will probably be
held tomorrow. 1t is likely that the suggestion
TO amend the pending bill as to include in
the free list between the United States and
Puerto Rico the articles exempt from duty
under Executive order will be discussed. Sena-
tor Spooner one Of the members OF the COM
rnittee, is understood TO be strongly inclined to
favor such amendment. The imports ad-
nitted free of duty from the United States in
case the amendment should be adopted would