Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-05
MET
To CONFER
MONDAY
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE WAS
THEN HELD AT THE WHITE
HOUSE ON SUBJECTS OF VI
tai VALUE.

WASHINGTON, June s.-Senators Proc
tor. Nelson. Gamble and Kitridge called
at the white house yesterday on inVi-
tation, II and had a conference with the
president in regard to pending legislation
The subjects discussed were the Cuban
reciprocity. bin and the prospects for canal
legislation. at this session. .,.... t..a,...sa
The object of tie conference was to urge
upon the senator's the necessity for una
nimity of action and the real necessity for
Legislation on these subjects at this ses-
sion. rf.tss.s. ~.
Another conference was held yesterday
afternoon at the white house. at which
other members of the senate were present
to confer on these matters.
AS to the canal bill, II is known that the
president would reluctantly accept the re-
sponsibility imposed by the Spooner
amendment of selecting the canal route,
but would much prefer that congress
should select the route itself.
The president sent for a number of SEN
ators who have been known in opposition
to granting concessions on the ground
that it win seriously interfere with beet
sugar interests of the country. He urged
upon these senator's the Importance of
united action, If possible, and expressed
the hope that the Republicans would act
together. The president again assured
these Republicans that in urging action
on reciprocity he was carrying out the
announcement of President Mckinley, ut
tered in his last speech, which had met
with such popular approval. throughout
the country, also the promises that had
been made concerning concessions to
Cuba
The president indicated that the adop-
ton of the Plat amendment made it OBJ
ligatory upon the United States to treat
Cuba differently from other nations.
In one casual remark he said that events
may show that it would have been betl
ter to allow Cuba to be absolutely in
dependent as was Mexico. He told these
Republican senators that the party ought
not to be divided on tariff issues as it was
entering the campaign and he expressed
the hope that a Cuban bill would be
passed without the aid of Democratic
votes. One result of the conferences that
have been held at the White House was
a meeting today at 1 o'clock by the com
mittee of Senator Elkins, where those
senators who are opposed to granting
concessions in Cuba or who oppose the
straight reduction plan of the majority,
assembled to consider different PROPOSE
lions. These are for a fiat appropriation
to the Cuban treasury, or a rebate on
duties collected upon Cuban imports to
be paid into the Cuban treasury.
Senator Dietrich, of Nebraska, present
ed plan which meets with some favor
promise between the straight out reduc-
ton plan and those favored by the beet
sugar men. 1t promises to grant a re-
duction of 20 per cent on Cuban products
for FIVE years for a like concession on
produets Of the United States going into
Cuba, with a proviso that the president
may at any time cancel the reduction If
1t is found that the benefit of the reduc-
ton Is going to others than to the plant
ers and sugar growers. Another part of
the plan is to remove the differential on
refined sugar and add it to all raw sugars,
except those coming from Cuba. This
provision, it is claimed, will protect the
beet sugar interests.
Eighteen Republican senators attended
the conference of those representing the
beet sugar interests. The general senti-
ment was in favor of defeating any
proposition for Cuban reciprocity, but in
order to secure harmony an agreement
was made that would support a rebate
plan, the money to be paid to the Cuban
government. -s