New-York tribune., 1902-02-20

SIONS Ok SUGAR, But NOT on TOBACCO.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BuNE.I
Washington. Feb. 19.-The Republican mem
bers OF the House Ways and Means Committee
We're in conference several hours to-day consid-
erng the subject Of reciprocity with Cuba. While
IN all such cases the conferrees are committed
TO policy of retcence until definite decision
is reached. il learned that the discussion
to-day proceeded far enough to indicate plainly
that two features OF the Cuban reciprocity pro-
gramme virtually were settled upon. They are
as follows:
First-The Ways and Means Committee Will
soon report a. bill for substantial tariff con-
cessiOns To Cubnn sugar under reciprocal
trade arrangement.
secOnd-NO cOncessions to Cuban tobacco
will he recommended in the bill.
OF course this programme is as yet entirely
tentative, but in the Interchange of views at
to-day's conference il manifest that IL has
the firm support Of the majority Of the Repub
lcan members Of the committee. The only point
that decided definitely and beyond dispute
is that the Ways and Means Committee is de-
termined not run the serious risk of violat-
ing the favored nation clause in all the treaties
of amity between the United States and other
countries in any legislation il may propose for
Cuba. and that in the opinion Of the committee
the only way Of getting safe ground is to de-
mand of Cuba a quid pro quo for every tariff
concession offered. In other words, as has fire.
quently been stated in The Tribune the only
reductions Of Dingley rates that will be made in
favor Of Cuba Will have to be made under
reciprocity arrange ement In spite of widespread
popular misapprehension on this point the fact
is that there was never a thought in RESPONSE
bic circles here Of making fiat tariff concessions
TO Cuba, the only wish or purpose being for
Congress to take the initiative in a reciprocity
movement that will eventuate in such close
commercial relations between the United States
and the Cuban Republic will guarantee
intimate and lasting friendship between the two
countries Along this line the Ways and Means
Committee viii proceed in Its investigation until
a practical scheme is evolved
PHASES OF THE DISCUSSION.
Among other phases of the subject discussed
and disposed of to-day the Morris BILL in
creasing the tariff on raw sugar and authoriz-
ing the President to pay bounty to Cuban
sugar producers until it is made apparent that
this form of aid is longer needed The bill
was rejected, and probably nothing more will
be heard of it. The Russell scheme for reci-
procity with Cuba a graduated scale
seemed to meet with more favor than the Nor
ris proposition, and ii appears not impossible
that it may be the main feature of the bill
that viii be reported by the committee 1t is
almost certain. however, that the Senate will
rounded out by the upper house. II is also rea-
sonably certain that the Senate will include
concessions TO tobacco in any reciprocity
rangement that may be agreed upon.
The conference to-day also developed the fact
that the fear of harning the beet root industry
Is very strong in the committee. and that, to
guard against this possible danger, the COM
mittee viii recommend some form of bounty to
domestic beet sugar producers to compensate
them for whatever decrease in the price Of
sugar may follow reciprocity with Cuba. 1t is
not believed, however, that the Senate will ap
prove this
NO DISPUTE WITH THE PRESIDENT.
General Charles H Grosvenor of Ohio, a lead
ing member of the Ways and Means Commit
tee, denied with a good deal of spirit to-day
that there has been any sort of misunderstand-
ing between the President and the Republican
members of the committee over the Cuban
question Il give you my word of honor" said
General Grosvenor TO a correspondent of The
Tribune, that not the least friction has de-
VelOped between the President and any Of the
majority members of our committee over Cuba
or any other question. More than that I as
sure you that we are in perfect accord with
the President the main point of this Cuban
matter Mhlcn Is that we must DO something for
Cuba. We differ somewhat as TO methods. but
not as TO the principle involved. President
Roosevelt is convinced that ought to bring
Cuba into close commercial bonds with the
United States, and that ought also to shape
legislation at this session of Congress with the
view Of affOrding relief at the earliest prac-
ticable date to the present unfavorable condi-
ton and outlook Of the island. Upon both of
these points are in hearty accord with him.
as VIII be shown in the most substantial and
unmistakable way before long But l want TO
emphasize the fact that the President has never
spoken rashly harshly to any of the mem
bers OF the Ways and Means Committee, as has
been so persstently stated by the newspap pers.
President Roosevelt is a gentleman and not
the ruffian these false and defamatory news
paper reports concerning his treatment Of mem
bers of the Ways and Means Committee make
him appear"