Evening star., 1902-02-04
President Earnest in Belief That
They Should Be Made.
HE TALKS With REPRESENTATIVES
What Might Happen Should No
Aid Be Given.
A SSIBLE POSITION

President Roosevelt is advocating with
characteristic earnestness. but with great
caution, some action by Congress favorable
to lower duties on Cuban sugar. He is not
talking to many people and is avoiding any
thing and everything that will lay him open
TO the charge of trying to influence legisa
ton or the men who make it. With those
with whom he does discuss the question,
however, he feels that he is not ex-
ceeding his rights and is keeping with
IN the responsibilities of his office
These people are mostly members of
the ways and means cornmittee of the
House. This committee is now engaged in
wrestling with the most knotty problem it
has encountered in years. and the members
feel that they ought to know the Presi-
dents exact attitude before they commit
themselves. The only way to know the
position of the chief executive is by talking
with him. So far nearly every member of
the committee has seen the President Sew
eral times they have been in pairs when
comforting with him. and again they have
been alone.
Today the President saw and talked with
Representatives Long and Babcock both
members of the ways and means commit
tee They saw him individually, and his
conference with each necessarily short
owing to the fact that the cabinet was
about to assemble. What they learned from
the President they naturally could not re-
veal, but they did learn that the President
stands by the words of his message. and
that he will insist to the last on tariff con-
cesSions to Cuba.
Graver ASPECT
In the Presidents mind the question of
concessions to Cuba is assuming graver
aspect than it has to many others 1t
means more far-reaching consequences in
the future than most republicans now con-
template. There are reasons for believing
though. that some of the President s
hI- or,
bers of the ways and means committee
ana that these views may ultimately pre-
vail in that body
The various members of the committee
are influenced by different motives and
from different reasons. Should one or two
general paramount ideas prevail among
them to the exclusion of sectional or party
views the situation in the committee might
change. Representative Long. for instance,
Is credited with strong opposition to a re-
ducuon OF the tariff on Cuban sugar. be-
cause he is protectionst from principle
and more important to him, because he
represents a Kansas district where beets
are grown in large quantities for sale to
oeet sugar plants in Colorado. That the
beet sugar industry Is local to him would
ordinarily fasten upon Mr.. Long the strong
est possible claims to opposing to the last
any tariff concessions Cuban sugar
Yet Mr.. Long may not take this position
ana may give as a ground for his action
higher and more logical reasons for voting
Just the opposite. If he sees fit to do so
ne Will probably have with him the Presi-
dent of the United States.
II Mr. Long sees fit to vote for tariff re-
duction on Cuban sugar he will. of course
equip himself with facts to show the coun-
try and his constituents the wisdom of his
action. He can probably secure these facts
from President Roosevelt, Secretary Root
Gen Leonard Wood and many others.
Possible Position.
The position of man under these cir
cumstances would be something like this:
arjf a
to Cuba utter disaster will follow in the
island.
That the United States will be forced to
annex the island.
That annexation would mean free trade
with CUBA and the consequent destruction
Of the beet sugar industry and the Louisi-
ana sugar industry in this country
That this latter situation is more to be
feared by the domestic industries than a
reduction in duty at this time.
That if the reduction is not made at this
session and annexation should be DELAYED
the question of concessions will continue to
hang hre and 10 appear in Congress.
That with the sugar problem unsett, ed
The. beet sugar men will be unable to bor-
row money to carry on their industry.
That II Will be much better for the do
mestc sugar people to meet the blow
squarely now and try to survive il than to
force situation that will mean Cuba's i'm
mediate annexation and their undoubted
destruction.
That these are not fancies but the most
patent facts.
What the Administration Might Do
The administration cannot afford now to
proclaim what it would be forced to do
should Cuba's condition become depIora BILE
by reason of financial disaster, but Mr.
Long and other members of the committee
Will not place themselves in this position,
unless they have more behind them than
mere theories of what the future is likely
10 develop. They will not endanger their
political future and stultify their states
manshlp by weak positions on so important
question.
Furthermore. the cut in duty must be
sufhcient TO permit the Cubans to get out
of their sugar operations without actual
Ioss- lhey are not TO be given any chance
at profits Being saved from loss will be
sufficient.
Reduction of % Per Cent
II is estimated in high official circles that
a reduction of q per cent will Just make
the Cubans come out even. while any less
would mean loss and any more would mean
profit to them and additional loss to the
Louisiana and beet sugar interests The
belief is that this figure will ultimately be
the one adopted by Congress and that it
will meet President Roosevelts views of
what ought to be done.
There will be vigorous objection to the
last TO such a reduction, or to any reduction
and the probabilities as to annexation will
TO the view that the loss to Cuba on sugar
IL due to overproduction of raw sugar
everywhere; that such condition causes
less in any industry. or business; that with
ordinary conditions restored the Cubans
would suffer no loss. Ii is held that In
every country OF Europe, and practically
everywhere else, there is great surplus OF
the unrefined article II this view could pre-
vail IL would rout the Presidents grave
ideas OF the future. and also the ideas OF
some republican leaders who are looking
closely into the question.
To Try Texas Oil as Fuel.