Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-23
Program Of Republican Senate Cau-
Gus on Puerto RiCan Measure.
CUT OFF TARIFF FEATURE.
Opponents VIII Seek Delay Puerto
Hieo Appropriation Hill
Taken Up.
AFTERNOON Dlspalchcs.l

Washington, March 2S.-The Repubn-
can caucus committee Of the Senate
today authorized Senator Foraker In
definite terms to propose the separa-
ton Of the tariff feature from the
Puerto Rican governmental bill, and TO
attempt TO pass the House tariff bill
without amendment.
The program Is TO vote down all, II
possible to do so. and pass the bill as
II came from the House without any
changes whatever.
The committee went over the situa-
ton In detail. considering all the points
at issue. There were suggestions as TO
the necessity Of amending the bill so as
to suit the demands Of the Republican
free trade element. but they were con-
sldered as more than Offset by the sit
uation in the House. and the necessity
OF maintaining the party tariff prnci-
pie.
The opinion was strongly expressed
that any changes whatever In the
House bill would endanger It's accept
anee by that body. and in the end this
fact controlled the committees de-
cisiOn.
There was, however, disposition man.
Tested TO plaeate the free traders by
making various amendments TO the
governmental bill. The tariff advocates
have gone so far as TO draft amend
ments TO that measure which are in
tended both to correct administrative
defects In the House bill and also 10
meet many Of the objections TO the
House tariff measure. one Of these
amendments looks to the enlargement
Of the free trade list so as TO include
most Of the articles OF export in which
the constituents Of the free trade SEN
ators are interested There is also
proposition looking to the entire re-
moval Of the duty on articles from the
United States going into Puerto Rico.
The action Of the conference was soon
made known TO the free traders, and
1t soon became evident that they were
not satisfied with the situation.
A hurried conference was called In
Senator Proctor's committee room.
which vas ettended by about ten sena-
tors. These included only the iron
bound free traders. but others who have
not yet taken a decided position
against all Puerto Rico tariff PROPOSE
lions. They did not enter into any de-
tailed discussion OF the proposition Of
the steering committee, but contented
themselves with a decision to oppose
any proposition looking 10 the fixing OF
a time to vote on the House tariff bill
or the Senate governmental bill. They
wire unanimously OF the opinion that
delay meant gain for the cause In the
public good will and in the Senate. A
canvass OF the Republican senators was
made with the result, II was stated,
that fifteen could be found who would
oppose hasty action. or these Il was
stated that ten were unalterably opposed
- u tariff on commerce with Puerto
lico. II was stated explicitly that the
proposition made yesterday for VOTE
next Wednesday by Senator Proctor on
lalf Of he tree trades WCuil uot "
r-ue 90.
The element in the Republican ranks
IN the Senate favoring free trade with
Puerto Rico decided at conference to-
day to oppose any action looking 10 an
early vote and 10 ask for further time
In case the question should come up.
The Senate today agreed 10 the con-
ference asked for by the House on the
diplomatic and consular bil.
Mr.. Pettigrew's resolution coming
over from yesterday requesting the
President II not incompatible with the
public interest 10 send TO the Senate
an itemized statement Of the expenses
OF the Philippine commission together
with the amounts paid to each COM
missioner was agreed to.
The conference report on the Puerto
Rico appropriation bill was then called
up by Mr.. Allison.
Mr. Tillman Is. 60 who voted for the
bin as II passed the Senate, and as
member OF the committee on approprla-
tions. voted favorably TO report It, Wig
orously opposing the conference report.
He expressed his regret that the Senate
conferees had yielded to the contention
OF the House conferees. particularly in
agreeing 10 enlarge the purpose OF the
measure by providing for the aid and
relief OF the people" Of Puerto Rico
The Senate has adopted the confer
once report on the Puerto Rican bill.
The vote stood IS 80 Is.