Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-28
Mr.. PAYNE TALKSGEN. ALBAN Defeated
Ways and Means Committee Chair Bloody Encounter at Buena VISTA
mans Views. Near Colon
WHY NO CONCESSIONS TO CUBA BERRERA COMMANDED LIBERALS
Legislation That May Be Enacted Estimated That Adams Loss
by Congress Over 100 Men,
NO TARIFF REV Is ON LIBERAL SLIGHT|
Ways and Means Committee Chair
mans Views.
WHY NO CONCESSIONS TO CUBA
Legislation That May Be Enacted
by Congress.
NO TARIFF REV Is ION

Representative Serene f. Payne of New
York. chairman of the House committee
ways and means who arrived in Wash
irgton for the session yesterday afternoon,
elUcidates the Cuban tariff question in
way that will bring true Thanksgiving JOY
to the hearts of the representatives from
beet sugar growing districts.
Without discussing the merits dement's
of allowing Cuban sugar tobacco and
spirits to come into the United States at
reduction or entirely free from tariff
duty, Mr.. Payne said to a Star reporter
this morning thai he could not see how
anything in the way of legislation or treaty
arrangements could be made with Cuba,
fer the reason that Cuba was not a gov
ernmentaI entity with which could
treat.
Most Favored Nation Clause.
IF We revised our tariff law to allow
Cuban sugar TO come in free, or at a re-
duced rate. We would by reason of the
most favored nation clause, have to ad-
nit sugar at the same rate from every ma
ton with which We have treaty. That
would mean practically the same reduc-
tiOn to all sugar producing countries. On
the other hand. Cuba has no government
with which We can make reciprocal ar
rangemenJ, and ii is not to be expected
that our people are going to give her re-
tNDt'oNS
without getting something in return. But
with whom are to treat in negotiating
a reciprocity arrangement
Mr.. Payne expressed some surprise at the
demands which the committee now in this
country from Cuba are making in the way
of tariff concessions. He said that when
like committee was here last year its mem
bers called on him as chairman of the
ways and means committee. They said
at that time that they wanted some re-
CiprOcaI arrangement sugar continued
PAYNE q prODOSed
kaSSOn treaty with some of the West In
dia Islands, which made Il reduction of 10
per cent sugar, and said they ought to
get as much as that l told them at that
time that if made any duty with any
country reducing the duty on sugar had
no doubt that Cuba would fare equally
well. although that was a question for the
future The committee expressed itself as
entirely satisfied with the outlook Al
though / have not seen any OF the mem
berS OF the committee that is here now,
understand through the newspapers that
they are asking for free raw sugar and
that all or a greater part of the duties on
tobacco be taken off; also that the duty on
spirits be entirely taken off. and that the
spirits imported here from Cuba be exempt
from the internal revenue duties. which
our own spirit manufacturers have to pay.
In this connection Mr.. Payne remarked
that il seemed that the Cubans had pro-
sressed considerably in their desires since
last year.
The concessions on sugar asked by the
Cubans Mr.. Payne said he understood to be
the same as the demands being made by
the American Sugar Company-free raw
sugar.
No Tariff Revision.
No revision of the tariff law is looked for
by Mr.. Payne at the coming session of
Congress. He classifes the Babcock bill
for the reduction of the duties on certain
iron and steel products what was termed
in Wilson days a "popgun" tariff bill.
He remarked that while he perhaps was
Ill
BdbcOck intended TO do. he was not in
favor of piece-meal tariff legislation. so
far as l can ascertain" he continued. 1T
seems to be the general opinion that We are
doing as well can, and had better
let well enough alone
Mr.. Payne has also observed no change
Of sentiment in republican ranks since the
last session on the trust question Then
the republicans We're united on a bill re-
ported from the judiciary committee which
strengthened the Sherman law, which is
generally conceded is as far as We can go
under the terms of the Constitution in the
way of trust legislation. This bill was
more in the nature of correction of minor
details than otherwise.
The Nicaragua canal If the treaty is
satisfactory, as reports seem to Indicate
viii undoubtedly be provided for at the
coming session, as will also a Pacific ocean
cable In this connection Mr.. Payne said
he understood Mr.. Mackay had let con-
tracts for the laying of cable to Hawaii
the work TO be done at once. Whether this
Mr. Payne could not say. The bill which
the House committee decided to report tat
the last session, Mr.. Payne said. was for
the construction of the cable by the gov
ernment-
Question of Surplus Revenue.
THE question of our surplus of revenue is
which will undoubtedly have to be con-
sidered by the committee on ways and
means. when it is appointed" remarked
Mr.. Payne. We are liable to have a sur
Plus OF S1O0,OOO,OO0 this year. This will be
subject TO reduction by reason of increased
appropriations for river and harbor i'm
provements, for the building of the Mica
ragua canal. and also to provide for the
snip subsidy bill, in case 1t should pass.
But If all OF these measures pass there will
stili be surplus. The natural place to re-
duce our revenues. / would say would be
from the internal revenue tax We are
getting really more than $500 O09 600 a year
from this source, which is a tax on the
business OF the country. We can also re-
dUce the internal revenue taxes without
paralyzing business as a result of discus
sion. thing We cannot do with respect to
the tariff
Mr.. Payne asked if he considered the
republican party pledged to take off the
remaining war taxes. and replied: "Ihe ex-
Penses or the war have not all been paid.
We are paying annually almost as much
Sn account OF the war we are receiving
IN war taxes. This is occasioned by the
Sondlti9n IN cuba and the Philippines. How
long this Is going to last is hard to saw /
think We redeemed any pledge made last
year in the reduction that was made and
as our expenses shall be reduced we will
undoubtedly make further reductions in the
future" " ~
Although Mr.. Payne says he has made no
canvass Of the House on the question Of the
exclusion of the Chinese. he is of opinion
that there will be legislation on the SUBJ
ject to replace the present exclusion Ia w
before 1t expires in May.
An UNPRECEDENTED HONOR,