The Press., 1902-06-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, June 17, 1902.

Washington, June r, 1909.
 During the past week the inquiry being conducted by the committee on relations with Cuba elicited from MT. Thurber of New York the statement that he had se- cured from MT. Havemeyer contribu- tion of $2,5OO towards fund used to in- fluence public opinion in favor of recipro- cal relations with Cuba, and that General Wood, on behalf of the Cuban govern ment, had contributed to the same fund $2, 880. This testimony was regarded as extremely sensational by the opponents of reciprocity, and, partially as a result, thirteen republican senators, who oppose measure providing for straight reciproc- ity, held a meeting at which they agreed to stand firm for the bill as passed by the house, and which removed the differential from refined sugar, or for adjournment without action. In addition to the thir- teen senators present, it was stated by Senator Elkins, who Is acting as leader of the 'sinsurg ents," that five others would consider the nselves bound by the action of the conference. The total number of senators is 88, of which 32 are democrats. If all the democrats and IS republicans voted against straight reciprocity bill, there would be left an affirmative vote of but 38
 When the prospects for an agreement on reciprocity bill looked particularly blue, however, the president, alleging that such action he believed to be his "plain duty" sent to congress message urging that body to carry to it's highest completion the policy inaugurated by the war undertaken to relieve Cuba of Span- ish oppression, by so legislating as to in- sure to the new republic a modicum of prosperity. MT. Roosevelt asserted that, in his belief, certain reciprocal conces- sions were essential to Cuba's prosperity, and that such could be granted without injury to any American industry. He had bean advised by many political friends that message to congress at this junc- ture would seriously injure his prospects of renomination, but he refused to listen to any suggestion of personal profit or loss, and sent to congress message which will command the respect of his friends and opponents, and even of those who hold that his reasoning is fallacious. It is too early to judge what effect the mes- sage will have upon the republicans who oppose Cuban reciprocity, although after they had heard it number of them stated that they saw no reason to change their views. On Saturday Senator Elktns in- troduced a resolution to admit Cuba to the union as state.
 During the past week the senate passed the naval appropriation bill, instructing the secretary of the navy to secure the construction of two first-class battleships. two armored cruisers, two gun-boats and five submarine torpedo boats of the Hol- land type. The provision of the house that one vessel of each class should be built in government navy yard was stricken out, and understand that the house will seriously oppose this elimina- tion of one of its pet schemes when the bill is taken up in conference, and also that it will object to the senate amend ment providing for so many torpedo boats of one, and, 1t is claimed, insuficently tested, type. The senate will vote on the canal bill on Thursday.
 The house of representatives has dis- posed of number of bills during the past week. On Monday the bill for the pro- lection of the president was passed by a large majority, and on Friday the Mans brough-Newlands irrigation bill was en- acted, it having been already favorably acted on by the senate. On Tuesday the house rejected the Lacey bill, providing for the transfer of the care of the forest reserves from the department of the in- ter1or to the department of agriculture, and 1t Is freely stated that the bill, which was favored by the president and was generally regarded as an excellent meas- ure, was defeated because the members were loath to forfeit the nominations of their friends, to the number of 300, for positions as rangers, privilege which
 
 of Secretary Hitchcock.
 On Wednesday, the house will take up the Philippine bill and will, according to the rule which has been adopted, devote one week to it's consideration. The late ness of the date and the summer heat will both operate to curtail the oratory of those senators who, under other circum- stances, would regard the Philippine bill as fitting occasion for extended speech making, and 1t is not deemed probable that the debate on the measure will be prolonged or even vigorous. When this bill is passed the members of the house will be so anxious to get away to their districts that it will be almost impossible to hold them longer in Washington, and ' they will bring tremendous pressure on the senate to hasten its proceedings and adjourn. July 3d is being talked of as the probable date of adjourning.
 The secretary of agriculture has adopt ed a new platform. He told me one day this week that in view of the magnificent pos abilities he could foresee in the way of scientific development of the agricultural industries of the country, he had deter mined to ask nothing further from con- gross in the way of protective duties, but to preach to the farmers, early and late, the advantages to be derived from pur- suing the most approved methods. The secretary made this statement when I quoted to him the remarks of some con- gressmen, who had expressed the fear that when Secretary Wilson had succeed ed in establishing the silk industry he would ask of congress protective indus try on raw silk. "They need not be ap-