Evening star., 1902-03-13
At THE WHITE HOUSE
President Satisfied With Gu
ban Reciprocity Situation.
NO DOUBT OF RESULT
DEFINITE PLAN OF ACTION NOW
AGREED UPON.
Mr.. Roosevelt's Tactful Handling Of
the Case Has Shown Him in
New Light.
NO DOUBT OF RESULT

President Roosevelt is we'll satisfied with
the situation in the House as to Cuban reel
procity. That reciprocity will be agreed
upon by Congress there is not the slightest
doubt at the White House. From both
senators and representatives who call upon
him the President receives this informa-
tion. and 1t is gratifying to him. He is,
moreover. glad to see the republicans get
ting together in the House, and will do all
he can to bring about such a condition of
things that no scars and no ill-feelng will
be left when the whole question now under
consideration is settled.
1t is now well understood in the admin
istratfon and among republican leaders
that no bill will be adopted providing for
reduction of duties on Cuban goods. The
program is to take steps for reciprocity
pure and simple with Cuba. A measure
will be put through Congress, originating
in the House, authorizing the President to
enter into an agreement with Cuba for an
exchange of the goods Of both countries at
lower rates than those fixed in the regular
tariffs
The measure will authorize the President
to cut the Dingley rates to maximum fig
ure, probably 20 per cent. The President
will have discretion to grant as much OF
as little of the maximum cut as he sees fit.
The act of Congress will authorize COM
mercial agreement between the two coun-
tries, not a treaty. The negotiation of
treaty would take no more time than
agreement. but a treaty would have to be
submitted to the Senate for ratification and
might have to wait months before becoming
effective. An agreement will become ef-
fective at once upon the proper signatures
being affixed.
The Cuban reciprocity agreement will be
the first of many that will eventually be
tion of republican statesmen. No others
will be sanctioned at this session of Con-
gress, as reciprocity is, like the reduction
of duty on Cuban sugar. n problem full of
possible trouble It is absolutely the pur-
pose of the ways and means committee of
the House not to recommend or permit any
cutting of the tariff at this session. The
concessions to Cuba will, as stated, go un-
der the name of reciprocity. They will not
be directly the work Of Congress, but by
authority of that body.
President Roosevelt in New Light.
The developments in the Cuban problem
have shown President Roosevelt in a new
and interesting light-one, too, that is re-
ceiving the commendation OF republ-
can leaders Of both factions in the House.
The story Is worth relating. When the sit
uation in the House had become most crit
ical the leaders called upon the President
and laid the facts before him. they told
him that most of the opponents of lower
tariff were from districts where the pres
sure on them to remain firm was very
heavy. 1t would be useless and politically
unwise to undertake to exert influence here
on these men. Their political careers were
involved. They would have to be handled
tactfulIy and gracefully. The President
saw into the situation and agreed with the
House leaders.
Those who hard anticipated that the al
legged strenuous Roosevelt would be upper
most saw. on the other hand, the exercise
Of qualities such as Mckinley only was
thought to possess-tact. patience and suaV-
tty. When Repres santatives Tawney, Wm
Alden Smith, Littlefield and other oppo-
nents of Cuban reduction went to the Whlte
House by invitation they did not meet the
unyieldng, tenacious, insistent Roosevelt
whom they had expected. They met a man
who, without lacking firmness. was both
thoughtful and considerate. Some who had
not accustomed themselves to think of him
in that attitude promptly came to the con-
clusion that he was not so rock-ribbed for
Cuban reduction as he had been represent
ed Thus came about the story that Presi-
dent Roosevelt's attitude was changing and
that he would accept whatever the majority
saw fit to do.
The Presidents handling of the entire
matter has secured for him the compli-
ments Of both the advocates and opponents
Of lower duty on Cuban sugar and M .
strengthened him with his party.
Virginia Marshals Get Another Term.
1t has been decided at the White House
that the President will renomnate the
two United States marshals of Vir-
ginia-Brown Allen for the western district
and Morgan Treat for the eastern. The
conclusion has been reached after a most
careful investigation of charges against
both men. These charges were of violations
OF the civil service laws. especially in con-
Quoting campaigns in Virginia while per-
forming their duties as federal officers.
n.
eating the charges and is said to be satis-
fled that the best thing to do will be to
nominate Messrs. Allen and Treat each for
another term. The probability is that they
will be informed that it is against the
Presidents wishes that federal officials
should take an active part in politics.
for the regular republican organiza-
tion of Virginia, which has backed both
men. and which has been fought hard by
prominent men. Some strong men in Vir-
ginia have been trying to overturn the or
ganization by means of these two cases.
To do so they put the name of Gen. Rosser
before the President for marshal of the
western district and made a hard fight for
him.
The President is expected to renominate
Marshal L. King as collector of customs at
Alexandria.
The Charleston Trip.
President Roosevelt's trip to the Charles
ton exposition has been deferred until the
second week in April. This date will prob
ably be final. and arrangements will be
made accordingly. Miss Alice Roosevelt
will have returned from Cuba by that time
and will be a member of the party. Sew
eral cabinet officers who could not have
gone If the trip had been made earlier will
be members of the party. The trip going
and coming. including the stay in Charles
ton, will occupy four days.
Representative Moody of North Carolina
conferred with the President about Judge
Spencer B. Adams of Greensboro, NJ. C..
Judge Adams would like to go to Alaska
as federal district Judge, and his case is
being pressed by Senator Pritchard and
the North Carolina republicans.