New-York tribune., 1902-02-21
NEW RECIPROCITY PLAN.
1 RONBSHELL IN THE CAMP
or CUBA'S FOES.
REPRESENTATIVE LONG PROPOSES A
FORTY PER CENT TARIFF REDUC-
TION - BILL TO FOLLOW
THOSE LINES.
THOSE LINES.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE. I

rsshington, Feb. 20.-Mr. Long. Of Kansas.
bo is one OF the youngest and most proms-
,,e members of the Ways and Means Commit
zee hurled a bomhshel into the camp Of
ruha'g enemies in Congress at the conference
this afternoon of the Republican members Of
she committee who yesterday began their in
ss,igation of the subject Of reciprocity with
cuba with the view of framing a bill to
,horize the President 10 negotiate a treaty
bodying this principle.
Mr.. Long, who represents a district in which
,he beet root industry is we'll established. con-
suued the entire time Of the conference with
an elucidation Of his proposition to enter into a
reciprocal trade arrangement with Cuba the
basis Of 40 per cent reduction Of the tariff
NJ both countries. He showed plainly how this
amount Of tariff concession not only would COM
nletely rehabilitate the stricken industrial ener-
ries Of Cuba, but would also result at an early
date in giving the United States an absolute
monopoly Of the trade of the island. He also
demonstrated concusively that no industry in
this country would suffer from such an ar
rangement, and produced convincing statistics
70 prove that neither the domestic sugar nor
the tobacco interests would be injured by 40
per cent tariff concession on those articles from
Cuba The Kansan was piled plentifully with
onestions by members Of the committee in the
iGlvery OF his argument. and the coloquies
tat resulted were spirited and at times heated.
Mr. Long stood his ground we'll, however and
made favorable impression on the minds of
some of the doubters.
HOW THE COMMITTEE STANDS.
While it is not believed that the tariff cut he
proposes will be accepted by the majority of the
committee. still there is longer any doubt
that the committee will report a bill for reci-
procity with Cuba on the lines of the Long
proposition This statement is based on the
knowledge that Serene E. Payne. chairman of
the committee. who was at first opposed to any
tariff concessions to Cuba. now favors cut of
at least 80 per cent Cuban sugar under
reciprocity agreement and that Mr.. Mccall. of
Massachusetts,, and Mr.. Hopkins, of Illinois.
favor more generous cut and a more general
scheme Of reciprocity than that now advocated
by Chairman Payne. A further analysis of
the majority side Of the Ways and Means
Committee shows that Mr.. Grosvenor. of Ohio;
Mr. Dalzell, Of Pennsylvania; Mr.. Russell, OF
Connecticut, and Mr.. Steele. OF Indiana. are
ready 70 support any practical scheme Of reci-
procity that may be devised with proper safe
guards Of the principle Of protection and that
viii not violate the favored nation clause. The
only majority members Of the committee that
apparently are irreconcilable are Mr.. Babcock
Ct Wisconsin; Mr.. Tawney. of Minnesota, and
root interests IN the districts represented by
these three, and they declare that reciprocity
with Cuba would destroy the beet root industry
in this country. In view of the fact that Mr..
Babcock is leading a movement that would re-
suit in q general tariff disturbance, 1t is pointed
cut that he cannot justify his attitude toward
Cuba by the plea that his course is dictateo
by a strong desire TO defend the protective sys-
TEN at every point Mr.. Babcock is the author
1+t,a a-riTr ALT ~
Of the Steel Trust.
HOPE FOR TOBACCO CONCESSIONS.
The announcement in The Tribunes dis
patches last night Of the probable deternlna-
ton IF the Ways and Means Committee to re-
port Z Cuban reciprocity bill granting conces-
sions only to sugar stirred up the leaders or
the reciprocity movement in both branches OF
Congress to-day and as a result il is believed
that the bill viii include tobacco in its pro-
visions. The extent of the concession to TO-
bacco is z, detail yet 10 be determined, although
il is generally thought that IT will be fully 80
per cent II is known in Washington that the
Cuban tobacco industry, now one Of the largest
IN the island, is threatened with more injury
by the uncertainty of Congressional action than
is even the sugar industry Agitation Of the
reciprocity question has virtually shut the
doors Of the American market against Cuban
cigars and leaf tobacco. II is natural that, un-
Ill they know definitely what the action of Con-
gress viii be- American dealers should make no
new contracts for Cuban cigars and leaf to-
bacco. In consequence of this. the tobacco busi-
ness Of the island is almost at a standstill. and
Of the largest manufactures are said to
be on the verge of suspending operations tenn
porarily. II is reported that about fifteen thou
sand wage earners at Havana and the other
cigar manufacturing centres are involved IN
md TrIE
Americans who lately have returned from Ha-
vana say that if the cigar factories there should
be compelled to shut down and throw thousands
of men out of employment there would soon be
bread riots that would lead much bloodshed
and misery. This would so disturb the general
conditions in the island that ii is feared the
population would be in no fit industrial or po-
hticai condition TO warrant the President in
Elthdrewing the troops now stationed there to
enable the Cubans 10 form their own govern
ment On the contrary. it is thought not inn
probable that the military forces of the United
etates would have TO be strengthened instead
Of Withdrawn in the next few months to restore
order and secure peace
DELAY MIGHT CAUSE GREAT TROUBLE.
II. however everything goes we'll il is hoped
that the President can withdraw all the soldiers
by the first Of May or perhaps the middle of
April for by that time 1t seems likely the Cuban
Government will be fully organized and
equipped. The electoral college is TO meet at
Havana next Monday to ratify the election Of
General Tomas Estrada Palma first Presi-
cent Of the republic. and when this is accom-
plished the election OF the first Cuban Congress
VIII be held. The Congress will assemble few
weeks after its election. and soon after its or
sanlzation il is expected that a reciprocity
treaty with the United States will be entered
INTO: At the same time. il is possible for all this
eood work 10 be seriously hindered and its con-
summation indefinitely postponed by too much
Dehberation at this end Of the line. In other