Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-03-14

Done for Cuba by Way Of Reciprocity-The
Permanent Census Bureau Bill Held 10 by
the President - The Ship Subsidy BiII-A
Proposition Reported to Make Rural Delivery
Service Subject to Contract.
(From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, March &, 1902.
off ace don't revise the tariff the
Democrats will and l am afraid that
good many OF the members now in
Congress will not be here to supervise
the job" remarked q Republican
member of the House, one day recent
ly in my hearing, and TO the conster-
nation of the Republican leaders that
sentiment is growing daily 1t is a
well-known fact that Representative
Babcock of Wisconsin made vigorous
effort TO organize an effective opposi-
sition to the rule which prevented any
amendment of the bill abolishing the
war revenue taxes. At the last mo.
ment the Michigan delegation, on
which Mr.. Babcock had counted as an
ally, declined to vote with him and
consequently he determined to aban-
don his project for the time and has
since devoted himself to the organiza-
ton of those Republicans who desire
revision of the tariff at this session.
Whether the sutocracy of the Read
rules and the vigor OF the party whip
will be sufficient to suppress the
schism," as 1t is called by gentlemen
of the Henderson.D alzell school, re-.
mains to be seen, but unless the sub
ject of reciprocity with Cuba is soon
disposed of, it is safe to say that they
will not.
Cuba is another "thorn in the
flesh" of the leaders. The third eau
Gus on the subject, held Monday even
ing. was productive OF no results and
another will be held this evening.
The President refuses to recede from
his original position, that something
must be done for Cuba, and General
Grosvenor OF Ohio has become a warm
advocate of the Ways and Means
Com mittse bill which grants 20 per
cent. reciprocal reduction on Cuban
imports. Mr.. Roosevelt is threaten
ing TO send . special message to Con-
gress on the subject, although if he
does it will be against the advice OF
his friends who fear that it would have
tendency TO make the opposition
even more obstinate and might even
injure his chances for . denomination.
Senator Rawlins of Utah told me the
other day that while he had not in
vestigated the subject as he intended
to before the matter came up in the
Senate. he was certainly suspicious OF
the vigorous advocacy of Cuban reci-
prOcity which is being displayed by
newspapers which have always hereto.
fore been the friends Of the trusts, and
he was at q loss to understand how
the Cubans themselves could have
produced the widespread sentiment
which there seems to be in favor of
concessions to the island.
The Senate has sent to the Presi-
dent the bill providing for a perma-
nent Census Bureau, but Mr.. Roose.
welt has expressed disapproval of the
section which includes in the civil SER
vice all Of the clerks now employed by
the bureau, not more than one-third
OF which will be retained in the per.
manent organization. He has 90 far
refused to sign the measure and has
even stated that he felt inclined to
veto it, although it 10 not believed
that he will yield to the inclination.
On Monday Senator Frye com.
menced his argument in favor of the
ship subsidy bill and the measure is
still under consideration. Several
Democratic Senators will present the
views that lead them to oppose the
measure. but they will not adopt oh.
structive tactics and there is little
doubt that it will pass the upper
chamber. The Senate has also passed
the irrigation bill aud has sent it over
to the House where it may not re-
ceive as favorable consideration.
The House Committee on Postof.
fees and Post Roads has reported q
bill providing that hereafter the routes
OF the free delivery service shall be let
by contract instead of being covered
by salaried carriers and although this
was voted for by large majority Of
the Committee, the minority report,
prepared by Mr.. Swanson OF Virginia
has received considerable support in
the House. Mr.. Swanson told me
yesterday that he considered the pas.
sage Of the bill would be q grave mis-.
take. "Great responsibility" said
Mr.. Swanson, rests upon the carriers
OF rural routes and their personality is
. matter OF great importance to the
residents OF the districts. In the first
place. the contract system would re.
suit in securing the cheapest class of
men and equipment, The prices bid
would be too low TO secure men of
high grade. BY the provisions OF the
bill there would be no permanent ten.
ure. as either the government or the
carrier could cancel the contract on
thirty days notice. This would, of il.
self, initiate against the efficiency OF
the service. Again, it is unreasonable
to expect that the men who have con.
tracted to do certain work for the
least possible money will be as accom-.
modating and IS ready TO issue money
orders, register mail and in other ways
increase their work as men who are
paid salary and who appreciate that
their positions are permanent 90 long
as they perform their duties to the
satisfaction of their patrons aud of
the Department. These are but few
OF the many objections to the measure.
but 1 feel confident that, could the
residents along the free delivery
routes have an opportunity of express.
ing themselves, they would be unani.
nous in their opposition to tho
change" From what l have been
able 10 learn from the Senate and of
the Capitol it seems hardly likely that
the bill will receive favorable vote in
that body, particularly % it's oppon.
ents predict that before the Senate
takes it up for consideration the Sena.
tors will be overwhelmed with protests
from the residents Of their several
States. DrM
A MEETING OF the property owners
of E0upth strook ~,os Aolxl lr--1