Evening star., 1902-02-03
Mr.. Babcock's Narrow Defeat in
Ways and Means Committee.
0FFEREDBILL TO CUT DUFIESON STEEL
Mr.. Steele Moved rs Per Cent
Concession to Cuba.
MOTION LATER WITHDRAWN

There were lively times in the ways and
means committee this morning and the high
protectionistS of the republican majority
had all kinds of trouble on their hands
The protectionists Won out usual, how
ever, and successfully resisted all attacks
The trouble began with Mr.. Babcock who
with blood in his eye had been awaiting
an opportunity to establish a record on his
Dill reducing the excessive duties on GER
tain iron and steel manufactures. Some
time ago there was vote in the committee
on this bill, upon motion of Mr.. Richardson
(dem), and the report had been circulated
by republicans that Mr.. Babcock had voted
against his own bill.
MIR. Babcock's Motion.
So this morning Mr.. Babcock moved to
report his bill to the House with a favora-
bic recommendation and demanded a roll
call upon the vote. The motion created con-
sternation among the high protectionists
which was increased when Mr.. Tawney of
Minnesota, republican, and Mr. Babcock
voted aye on the motion to favorably re-
port the bill.
The roll call developed six ayes and seven
noes, and by this narrow majority the
motion was defeated.
Chairman Payne was visibly agitated and
In voice which trembled with emotion
threatened Mr.. Babcock that the commit
tee would go up into Wisconsin and take
the duty off lumber"
This threat failed to appan Mr. Babcock,
however, to any appreciable degree, the
report says.
To Reduce Cuban Tariff.
Then Mr.. Steele of Indiana, republican,
gave shock to his high-tariff colleagues
by offering motion to amend the war tax
reduction bill by reducing the tariff on
Cuban sugar % per cent. This suggestion
caused a cold shiver to run through the lit
tie group of high protectionists near the
head OF the table, for it was known that
Mr.. Hopkins and Mr. Mccall, republicans
had a leaning toward Cuban concessions,
and it was feared that one or two others
were weakening.
So Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio interceded with
Mr. Steele to withdraw his motion. The
plea was so urgent that Mr.. Steele consent
ed, and this burning question was not
brought to an issue
The war tax reduction bill was then re-
ported to the House without further OUT
breaks from the insurgents
Inc ways and means committeeman are
very much concerned over the certainty of
their war tax reduction bill meeting with
opposition in the Senate. Several senators
nave come out in interviews against the ex-
cessive reductions, Senator Hanna being
particularly vehement in objection to such
a cut.
The ways and means committee of the
House by unanimous vote today ordered
favorable report on the war tax reduc
ton bill
The closeness Of the vote on Mr.. Bab-
cock's amendment reducing the steel sched-
ule caused much comment. Messrs. New
lands and Cooper, democrats, and Long
ana Hopkins, republicans, Were absent 1t
was explained on behalf of the absent mem
bers that they were either out of the city
or detained at important committee meet
lEss elsewhere, and that the Babcock mo-
tion was entirely unexpected.
Representative Robertson of Louisiana
who is opposed to a reduction to Cuban
sugar, was among those who voted for the
Babcock amendment. Following this Mr.
steele made his motion, and a sharp but
good -natured parley occurred between Mr.
steele and Mr.. Robertson. The latter sug-
gested that If any motion on sugar was to
be made, Mr.. Steele should broaden his
proposition so as to include raw and re-
lined sugars, placing them all on the free
list