The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-22
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
4 Lengthy Conference on the Porto
Hfcan Bill


Yesterday was a busy day for tho
President More than the usual number %
callers were at the White House TO pay
their respects and discuss important bust
ness. In the morning Senator's Fair
banks. Burrows and Mcmillan were
With the President ami a long conference
upon the Porto Rican bill was held. TIE
Senator's. as usual. we're reticent as TO
what was said but from the few remarks
made by them it was apparent that they
entertain serious doubts as to the fate OF
the tariff provision OF the bill
Senator Burrows talked more than his
colleagues who have been 20 see the Presi
dent about the Porto Rican bill He said
he thought the bill would pass in about
week. confirming the somewhat significant
remark made Tuesday By Senator Foraker
as he was leaving the Presidents recep-
ton room that there would be nc important
action taken for a week. Mr.. Burrows said
that the bill will probably be amended.
II is said that az the conference Sena-
tor Fairbanks In the general discussion
urged the adoption OF the Beveridge free
trade amendment. pleading that while he
should like to vote for a party measure,
the pressure from home was too strong
to be allowed to pass UNDECIDED.
Senators Burrows and Mcmillan. It Is
said. stood out for the bill in its present
form. but iutimated that they would be
willing TO vote with the majority when It
has been determined definitely that the
tariff provision will have to be dispensed
with
The President Is said TO have taken no
part In the discussion except to urge har-
mony II Is said that he has ceased Civ
ing advice unless asked for It. and then
discusses the matter with considerable re-
serve.
Representative Pugh. OF Kentucky. with
o. +. Wilson. a lawyer from Louisville,
called during the day. The political sit
uatlOn in Kentucky was discussed. the
President. i, is said. expressing the hope
that a solution Of the difficulty may soon
be arrived az and reteratiug his deter
minatiOn not to intervene unless to put
down insurrectiOu.
party Of representative Methodlsts
who are here to arrange a programme for
the western section Of the Ecumenical
Conference. embracing all Methodist sects
Of the United States and Canada. which
meets in London in September. 1901. saw
the President in the afternoon The dele
cation was received in his library where
he spent about fifteen minutes discussing
the work of the coming convention
In the party we're Bishop Galloway,
Bishop Hurst Bishop Waters, OF the
American Methodist Episcopal Church;
Rev Or. Carmen. the Canadian represen-
tative; Rev. DR.. Tigert. OF Nashville; Rev.
Dr. Mason. Of New York; Prof. Van Wick.
Of Middletown, Conn; Rev. DR.. Tagg. OF
Baltimore. and DR.. II. X. Carroll, former
Porto Rican Commissioner
George r. Finlay and Manuel Fernandez
Juncos, who have been in the city some
time urging action on Porto Rican affairs
called on the President early in the morn
ing. but was unable TO see him until late
in the afternoon. They told Mr.. Mckin-
ley of having received fresh advices CT
the increasing distress. caused BY the delay
in passing the Porto Riean bill The Presi-
dent assured them that every effort IS
being brought to bear TO settle the CUES
ton. He sent them to see Senator Fora
ker.