Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-24
PORTO RICAN
MATTERS NOW.
The Tariff Bill Still the PoIiticaI
Storm Center
FRIENDS A TRIFLE UNEASY.
A Strong Factor Behind the Measure
Il the Philippines Joe WheeIer's
status In the House.
Special Corresnondanca.

Special Correspondence.
Washington March l5-The Porto Ri
can tarid bin continues to be the politi.
cal storm center. When the bin was
sent 70 the Senate, the storm went with
it. but there are a number OF represen.
tatiyes who are still feeling the effects
Of the storm, whose edges seem to lin
ger about the popular branch OF Con-
gress Who would have thought"
asked one OF the members Of Congress.
that one little island would have
kicked ~ such devIl Of a rumpusY
Why It seems az If some people
believe that the future OF the republic
hangs upon the fate Of this 10 per
cent tarI1 on Porto Rican products"
Now that the contest has been trans
ferred 10 the Senate, there is less un-
easiness among the friends OF the bill
as 90 Us ultimate fate. for no one ven-
lures TO predict its defeat. but there is
decided uneasiuess among senators
as 10 the effect that the enactment OF
this bill VIII have upon their constitu.
ents. The letters and kilograms that
have been received boy Republican SEN
ators have shown that the sentiment
Of the people Is now in favor Of abso-
lutte free trade with Puerto Rico and
mat this sentiment does not seem to
be changed as further Information con-
corning the hIll and the arguments
made In favor OF Il reach the people.
IT is REALLY THE PHILIPPINES.
Although It has been stated before
that the Philippines and their products
are really behind the Puerto Rican bin.
there Is phase Of the matter not gem
orally known Republican leaders and
farseelng politicians became aware
that there was an uneasy feeling
among the w0rkngmen. While there
was very little fear Of an influx OF
Malay labor there was a decided i'm
preston that In case free trade with
the Islands should be adopted as
policy large manufacturing establish
ments would erected In those Is
lands. and. with the cheap labor 20 be
obtained, competition with American
made goods would shut up American
mills and deprive the American work.
NitAluN vi fllIflNl Nlflls luis feature
OF the case was not discussed. but II
was well understood to have been a
controlling factor In the decision
reached upon the Puerto Rican bill.
STATUS OF GENERAL WHEELER.
General Joseph Wheeler arrived IN
san Francisco Just in time to read the
announcement that oscar w. Under
wood had been appointed a member OF
the ways and means committee. Ever
since the beginning OF the present ses-
sion Of Congress there has been a va
cancy on the Democratic side OF the
committee, IL being understood that the
place was reserved for General Wheels
er, II he should come back and take HIS
place In the House During the three
months there have been rumors that
General Wheeler was about to return,
and finally he started Just as he
reached this country Speaker Hender-
son made the appointment OF Mr. I'm
derwood. II is a very good selection,
as the young Alabama representative
Is one OF the coming men In the House
and Is already regarded as one Of the
leaders OF his party. But the Interest,"
ing Implication In the appointment Is
that General Wheeler is not regarded
by Speaker Henderson as a member Of
the House.