The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-03-13
President Anxious For Settlement OF
Reciprocity Matter
THE CABINET SAID TO Be DIVIDED
Many Leaders In the Councils OF the
Nation Call on Mr.. Roosevelt Son-
cerning the Hatter.

IL,
derson and Representative Cannon, o.
Illinois, called at the Whate House
Wednesday. 1t was relative to the SUD-
iect of Cuban reciprocity and the call
led to much expeculative comment, al
though no definite details were avail
able on the nature of the conference.
Active canvassing continued, prelimi-
nary to the third caucus on Cuban re-
ciprocity to be held Thursday night.
The most positive claims were made by
those opposed to Representative
Payne's 20 per cent reciprocity plan,
that there was a clear majority against
1t. Mr., Payne and his associates did
not concede this much and expressed
the belief that a concession to CuDa
would be ultimately granted. 1t was
said in this connection that Speaker
Henderson is now favorable to the po-
sition taken by the majority on the
ways and means committee.
During the day several members Of
the cabinet were called on by Messrs.
Tawney of the ways and means corl-
mittee, who has proposed to rebate
plan as a substitute for Chairman
Payne's plan, and Morris, of Mime
sofa. AS an outcome Of these calls, IL
was stated that three members OF the
cabinet, namely, Postmaster General
Payne, Secretary Of the Treasury Shaw
and Secretary of Agriculture Wilson.
were hopeful o. seeing a solution OF the
problem which would not enaanser
any American industry. This was con-
ssrued in some quarters to show a di-
vision in the cabinet, but it was stated
by those conversant with the situation
that the attitude Of the cabinet mem
bers did not warrant any such con-
struction.
Later in the day, Representative
Tswney called at the White House and
had a conference lasting nearly an
hour and half with the President. 1t
developed that Mr.. Tawney had told
the President that there was little or
no possibility for the adoption OF the
Payre plan by the Republican confer
ence and that If it was adopted some 40
Republican members would nos consld-
er themselves bound and would carry
the question to the floor OF the House,
where there would be additional COM
-. 20 lIa
Democratic members.
The President is understood to have
made it clear that he had no intention
at p~nsent Of sending special message
to Congress on the subject. The Presl-
dent expressed the most earnest soilci-
tude that satisfactory adjustment be
reached by Congress. After hearing
from Mr.. Tawney, his associates eX-
pressed the belief that the President
would accept the rebate proposition If
Congress would present it to him. They
were considerably encouraged to hear
from Mr.. Tawney that the President
was not laying down any emphatic ul-
timatum in favor Of the plan as pre-
sented by Mr.. Payne.
While these conferences were going
on at the White House, Chairman
Payne and members Of the ways and
means committee supporting him were
in conference This brought about 40
change in their attitude. One Of the
members stated that he was confident
that the Payne reciprocity proposition
commanded a majority Of the Republi-
can members, but that the minority
was so large and was so disposed to
carry the contest into the House that
Mr.. Payne and his friends recognized
the seriousness Of the situation. How
ever, there was no disposition to ac-
cept the rebate plan. as it was stated
that this was merely repetition Of
the plan proposed by the head Of the
beet sugar organization two months
ago.