Evening star., 1901-11-13
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Distinguished Delegation Of Mer-
chants Calls.
WANTS RECIPROCITY WITH CANADA
Representatives From Porto Rico
Explain Their Needs.
SOLDIERS ANDCIvIL SERVICE


who later took lunch with the President,
and Senator Bailey, for many years the
minority leader of the House, but now en-
tering a term in the higher body. Each
will take a conspicuous part in the Senate
in the disposition Of the many important
problems to be handled by Congress at it's
coming session.
Senator Spooner says that any prognos-
tication of what will be done as to the
tariff and reciprocity is the merest guess
work. Senator Spooner believes that an
isthmian canal will be provided for. He
thinks that an agreement with Great Brit
ain along the lines suggested will be rati-
fled by the Senate and provision made for
the canal comparatively early in the ses
sion
Senator Spooner was strongly opposed to
the Hanna-Payne-Frye ship subsidy bill
and was one of the republican senators
who told those interested that he would
not support the bill. He does not know
what is to be done about changing the
bill and cannot now say how he will act
as to new measure.
Senator Bailey Is most hopeful that the
representations as to the Presidents atti-
tude on trusts will prove true and that the
President will urge vigorous legislation on
this subject He says that there is abun-
dant ground for aggressive action by Con-
gress. Mr.. Bailey does not think it likely
that the minority in the Senate will con-
fer as to a course to be pursued, but that
events will be allowed to shape themselves.
Reciprocity With Canada.
The President this morning received the
important delegation of representatives OF
large commercial bodies OF the country
that are asking for the resumption of re-
ciprocal trade relations with Canada. The
delegation was composed Of the following:
]. R. Leeson (chairman). W. o. Blaney
f. e. Preston, representing Boston cham
Der of commerce; Gustav H. SchWab, Isa-
dor Strauss, S D. Webb, representing New
York chamber of commerce: De Witt c.
Delamater, president Detroit Merchants
and Manufacturers Associatio ]. 7. Nc
Hugh, president Cincinnati chamber of
commerce; NJ. S. Greenough, ex-president
Cleveland chamber of commerce; d. N.
Ransdell, representing Indianapolis board
of trade; c. H. Keep, secretary Buffalo
Merchants Association and Lake Carriers
Association; Frederick W. Woods, presi-
dent Maryland Steel Company, representing
Baltimore board of trade: George H. An
derson, secretary Pittsburg chamber OF
commerce.
The desires of these various organizations
were presented by Mr.. Leeson, who said
that the delegates had called to empha-
size by their presence the great Importance
OF the resumption of reciprocal trade rela-
tlonS with Canada. The business people
represented hoped that the President would
at such time and in such manner as he saw
ut give this matter his consideration Mr.
Leeson called attention to the extent of
the dealings Of this country with Canada
Next to Great Britain and Germany Cam
ada was the third largest buyer of products
and goods of this country. Canada he said,
buys twice as much merchandise from the
United States as all the South American
countries put together.
The last reciprocity treaty with Canada
was abrogated in 1866, having been in ex-
lStence twelve years.
The President. In answer to Mr.. Lesson
said that 1t would be invidious for him to
say what reciprocity treaties he might
favor, but that he was hopeful that Con-
gress might deal with the subject of reci-
procity in a favorable manner
The delegation left with the President a
brief setting forth the facts they desired
him to know.
What Is Needed in Porto Rico.
DR.. Jose c. Barbosa, member of the
executive council and L. Sanchez Morales
of the house of delegates Of Porto Rico,
called at the White House today to pay
their respects to the President and to talk
about Porto Rican affairs. They said that
the economical conditions of the island are
improving every day, showing bright
future The production of sugar next year
VIII be at least double that of 1899; to-
bacco, after free trade was declared, is
finding its way to the states and the cof-
But coffee suffers from lack of markets
since the American occupation, and it is
necessary to protect 1t in some way, look
ing to have 1t sold in the states, or to open
Ioreign r., markets for that important pro-
duct. They told the President that this is
the most pressing and, perhaps, the only
immediate economical problem to be solved
TO better the situation Of the island They
said that the subject has been treated in
full In the written statement presented to
the President by the commission of the
chamber of commerce of San Juan.
Dr. Barbosa said: Gov. Hunt is con-
islands affairs: he is liked in the country
and Is heartily supported by the best of
men. the same who were the firmest de-
tenders of American methods and ideas
during the administration of Gov. Allen
Porto Rfcans are looking hopefully to
the establishment of a naval station at
San Juan. This port will acquire a. great
Importance. The harbor needs to be dredged
TO depth OF thirty-6ve feet to meet all re-
quirements. and this work must be done,
either as part of the naval station ex-
penses or by special appropriation.
IN regard to educational matters, the
school system has been reformed by Mr.
Broumbaugh, most able man, nowsat the
mead of the department, wisely helped by
the legislature, and education is being
spread among the Porto Rican children.
English is taught in every school. We
nave this year an appropriation of 100000
In the island budget, which will educate
ABOUT 5O,OOO children. There are SOC. 900
children on the island today Of school age
who should be educated, and 1t costs on an
average $40 per year to educate each one
Porto Rico is and will be for years under
very heavy expense for the construction of
school buildings, and that diverts much
money from the funds. which otherwise
would be dedicated as a whole to educa-
tional work. This situation requires some
help from the federal government. An ap-
preparation of $250,O0O per year, for a pc
riod OF ten years, for educational purposes,
would be great benefit to the intellectual
progress Of the island, and it is hoped Con-
gress will grant it,
Another need in Porto Rico Is an agricul-
tural experimental station. Anything will
grow that is planted. The idea OF having
a station Is to show what is the best thing
to plant and the way to plant It, but on a
more extensive scale than that on which
the last was conducted. proper amount
to be appropriated for this purpose would
be $50.000 a year.
UnfavOrable to Old Soldiers.
Senator Mason has received many letters
from soldiers in all parts of the country
complaining of the rule added to the civil
service laws by President Mckinley Iuix
81 last fixing an age limit of ferty- five
years upon employees entering the postal