New-York tribune., 1900-03-11
THE PUERTO RICAN BILL.
REPORT THAT THE STEERING COMMIT
TEE INTENDS TO MODIFY 1T DENIED
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Washington March 10.-A statement pup
lished here this morning to the effect that the
Senate Steering Committee had lately held sew
eral conferences on the Puerto Rican bill, and
was likely to modify 1t to provide TOT the
free admission of all products OF the Uhlted
States into Puerto Rico and also for hereiy
nominal duty on Puerto Rican products import
ed into the United States. caused a good deai on
comment and some excitement among frlenus OF
the measure who did not stop TO reflect that
the Steering Committee does not undertake, as
SUCH to amend or modify pending measures on
legislation. it's province being to arrange the
order in which such measures shall be consid-
cred Chairman Foraker of the Committee on
Pacific Islands and Puerto Rico. who has charge
of the Puerto Rican bill in the Senate, said that
he had not been advised OF any intention on the
part Of the Steering Committee or any other
committee to interfere with il. He Is inclined
to favor the amendment proposed by Senator
McCumber OF North Dakota to admit bread
stuffs and meats from the United States into
Puerto Rico free of duty, and number Of other
friends of the bill in the Senate share this in
cnation Senator Allison, Senator Hanna and
several other members of the Steering Commit
tee to-day denied any knowledge OF an lnten-
ton or purpose the part OF the committee 10
interfere with the management of the bill or
to modify it in the manner described.
PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE BILL.
1t seems probable. however. that the bill may
undergo considerable modification b ore IL is
passed. One proposition suggested is TO amalga-
mate the Puerto Rican Relief bill passed by the
House and reported to the Senate yesterday and
the tariff provisions of the bill to provide
temporary government for the island. con
siderable number OF Senator's would favor drop
ping for the present. the bill providing a civil
gov They
ready to consider that subject. and would pre-
fer that it should be postponed until the Sen
ate is more fully Informed in regard TO it, If
their wishes prevail the subject may not be dis
posed OF before the next session of Congress
The proposition to combine the revenue and the
appropriation provisions for the beneht of
Puerto Rico has been only tentatively suggested
and has not been generally seriously dis
cussed considered by Senators. The outlook
to-day did not seem to be favorable for its
adoption.
1t is regarded probable. however. that the
Senate may not decide provide at this session
form and machinery for the civil government
of the island further than to make such pro
vision as ii is proposed to make for the tenn
porary government of the Philippines and such
as was made by Congress in the case of Louisi-
ana in 1903 Different conditions exist in Puerto
Rico from those found in the Philippines and
the conditions in the latter differ widely from
those which prevailed in Louisiana after its
cessiOn 10 the United States but in respect
ii is urged. the situation is the same-Congress
has not sufficient grounds which to base
construct intelligent and suitable legislation. 1t
remains TO be seen whether these considerations
will outweigh in the Senate the desire and de-
mand of the Puerto Ricans To have civil gov
ernment established in the island without much
delay. and the desire of many Senators to grant
their request.
The subcommittee of the majority of the
House Committee on Insular Affairs continues its
work of reviewing and revising the Cooper BILL
and has gone over about two-thirds of il. Some
of the Puerto RiCans in Washington were before
the subcommittee yesterday, and gave it the
benefit of their Views and suggestions concern
ing various provisions of the measure. They
manifested especial interest in the subject of
education, and desired that suitable provisions
for the establishment and maintenance of
public school system should be made.