Evening star., 1900-03-23
Campaign Contribution in Return for
Porto Rican Tariff.
SERIOUS STATEMENT A REPUBLICAN
Desperate Efforts Will Be Made
to Pass the Bill.
PEACE COMMITTEE TO CONFER

1.-THE action Of the Iowa legislature can
not affect the situation in Congress. The
deal has been made; it is a matter of money
for the campaign, and the tariff measure
will be carried through
This statement was made by republican
member Of the House who supported the
bill In the House by his vote.
you may as well set it down that the
deal will be carried out" he added. "The
carrying out of the recommendation Of the
President for free trade with Porto Rico
would have deprived the party Of a very
considerable contribution; the adoption of
the reverse policy insures very large con-
tribution.
'1The possible unpopularity of the Porto
Rican tariff was balanced against the GER
tainty of money to use in the campaign, and
the decision was in favor of the campaign
contribution. 1t was not expected that
the storm Of protest would be as strong as
1t is, but it Is now too late for a change"
Another Attempt at Agreement.
Last night the friends of the Porto Rican
they would give up all attempt at compro-
mise and bring the bill to vote, trusting to
luck for 1t to get through In some shape,
but after conference this morning 1t was
decided to make another effort to reach an
agreement upon the basis of arrange
ment for the termination of the tariff levy
as soon as a Porto Rican legislature should
provide revenue for the island from a diff
ferent source.
The members of the Iowa delegation in
dicate determination not to be Influenced
by the action of the Iowa legislature but 1t
Is evident that it has made impression
upon the minds of many men in Congress.
The most common expression is that this is
an additional evidence of the extent to
which public sentiment has been aroused
mat n
retreat.
Due to Desperation.
The very consciousness that a blunder has
been made is advanced as an argument
against confessing it by a change of atti-
tude.
The determination to force the tariff
through seems to be strengthened by a sort
of desperation excited by the hopeless un-
popularity of the measure.
The editors of the Chicago Times-Herald
and of the Inter-Ocean, who have been de-
terminedly opposing the Porto Rican bill,
have come to Washington and have been
in conference with some of the republican
leaders in an effort to get the matter set
tied in some way to satisfy the public senti-
ment which their papers represent.
The Iowa delegation, 1t is understood,
have been telegraphing the Iowa senate to-
day in an effort to prevent the passage by
that body of the resolution adopted by the
lower house Of the legislature.
Peace Committee in Session.
The committee went over the situation
in detail, considering all the points at issue.
There were suggestions as to the necessity
of amending the bill SO as to suit the de-
mands of the republican free trade element,
but these were considered as more than off,
set by the situation In the House and the
necessity of maintaining the party tariff
principle. The opinion was strongly ex-
cd q hoy rlaot otetrE HI q
House bill would endanger it's acceptance
by that body and in the end this fact con-
trolled the committees decision.
There was, however, a disposition mani
tested to placate the free traders by MAX
ing various amendments to the govern
mental bill. The tariff advocates have gone
SO far as to draft amendments to that
measure which are intended both to correct
administrative defects in the House bill and
also to meet many of the objections to the
House tariff measure. One of these amend
ments looks to the enlargement of the free
trade list so as to include most Of the arti-
cleS of export in which the constituents
of the free trade senators are interested.
There is also a proposition looking to the
entire removal of the duty on articles from
the United States going into Porto Rico.
Plan Not Satisfactory.
The action of the committee was soon
made known to the free traders and it i'm
mediately became evident that they were
not satisfied with the situation. A hurried
conference was called In Senator Proctor S
committee room. which was attended by
about ten senators. These included not
only the ironbound free traders, but others
who have not yet taken a decided position
against all Porto Rico tariff propositions.
They did not enter into any detailed dis
cussion of the proposition of the steering
committee, but contented themselves with
decision to oppose any proposition look
ing to the fixing of time to vote on either
the House tariff bill or the Senate govern
mental bill They were unanimously of the
opinion that delay meant gain for their
cause in the public good will, and In the
Senate. A canvas of the republican Sena-
ed. that fifteen could be found who would
oppose hasty action. OF course 1t was
stated that ten We're unalterably opposed
to tariff on our commerce with Porto
Rico. It was stated explicitly that the
proposition made yesterday for vote next
Wednesday by Senator Proctor on behalf
OF the free traders. would not be renewed.