New-York tribune., 1900-03-17
HARMONY COMMITTEE NAMED
PROSPECT OF PASSING THE HOUSE
PUERTO RICAN TARIFF BILL
IMPROVING.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

Washington March Ex-senator Allison to-
day appointed the Harmony Committee au-
thorized by the Republican caucus on Wednes-
day to consider the subject of a tariff for Puerto
Rico and try to find basis on which all the
Republican Senators can agree. The members
of the committee are Senators Foraker, Hale,
Davis, Spooner, Mcmillan, Kean and Warren.
The composition of the committee fairly repre-
sents the differing shades Of opinion in regard
10 the Puerto Rican tariff question and holds
out a strong prospect of happy and salts
factory settlement of differences. which at one
time threatened harmony of party action by the
majority of the Senate. Senator Davis is a
strong advocate of removing all restrictions on
the trade between the United States and Puerto
Rico except on coffee Senator Spooner is
derstood 10 be somewhat inclined to favor a
modification of the tariff provision passed by
the House of Representatives to provide
that foodstuffs, agricultural Implements agri-
cultural, sugar and other machinery. and books,
maps, scientific instruments and school furni
ture and apparatus for the of schools shall
be admitted into Puerto Rico from the United
States free of duty, they are from all
countries under the executive tariff. Senator
Foraker is also understood to favor substan-
TALLY the modification of the House pro-
vision. and the other members are in favor of
adopting the House provision without atera-
tions OF course, Senators who hold to the
theory that the provisions of the Constitution Of
the United States extend over Puerto Rico by
their own force and vigor cannot support either
Of the foregoing propositions unless their views
on that subject undergo some modification as
was the case N regard TO several members Of
the House of Representatives
SENTIMENT IN THE HOUSE.
In its consideration of the subject the COM
mittee will undoubtedly be influenced 10 a con-
siderable degree by the views of members of
the House as to the practicability of passing an
amended bill in that body These views, as ex-
pressed by them in conversations with Senators
and others are unanimous and emphatic and
they all point to the serious danger OF defeat in
case such an attempt is made II is true they
assert. that the public clamcr against the hill
much Of which was due to MISUNDERSTANDING
and MISREPRESENTATION both of its provisions and
or existing conditions and necessities is sub
siding and not SO threatening as it was two
weeks ago, and yet there are some indications
tnat several members who voted for the bill and
against the Mccall free trade substitute then
would reverse their attitude If they should have
an opportunity TO do so. 1t is asserted that Mr.
watson, of Indiana, is one ~kI those who would
do so. The majority against the Mccall substi-
tute was only IA, to make which four Demo-
crauc voters were necessary. Moreover, the Re
publlcans in the House. from Speaker Hender-
son down. hold that they cught net to be made
to fight the battle over again even if victory
vas d siedl debi more certain that IL D.
pears TO be 10 the more hopeful and confident
Republican members
TARIFF APPARENTLY GAINING FRIENDS
The prospect of the passage of the House tariff
provision by the Senate without amendments
appears to have materially improved in the last
thirty-sH hours. without taking into considera-
tlen the more moderate tone OF criticism In some
OF the newspapers and the change of attitude by
some OF the others The publicatio OF the in
terviews with business In Puerto Rico who
have declared in favor Of the House bill has
contributed TO this prospect. and the change of
attitude by the residents of Puerto Rico who
are now in Washington from one of bitter hos
tility to one of hearty approval OF the pending
bill viii contribute still further to the same end
In conversation at the Capitol to-day Mr. Fin
lay: OF san Juan who mas been enthusiastic
and energetic advocate Of free trade between