Evening star., 1902-03-03
Liveiest Party Contest Of
the Session Expected.
TWO PROPOSITIONS
THE STRAIGHT CUT AND THE
TAWNEY REBATE IDEA.
Intimation Of Special Message on the
Subject-What Beet Sugar
Men Claim.

There Is every indication that tonights q
conference Of the republicans OF the House
over the question Of Cuban relief will be
one Of the liveliest party contests the re-
publicans Of either house have engaged In
this session. It will be an adjourned meet
ing and may again adjourn without final
decision.
The division Of sentiment upon the ways
and means Of relief Is so radical that 1t
may be found impossible in this meeting to
unite upon a definite policy. The two wings
of the republican party In the House are
now beating the air in wild disunion. To
make them flap together will be the aim
of the leaders, but they do not promise
success from this second effort.
May Be Special Message.
At this juncture comes an intimation to
the Capitol that If there is long g-continued
delay in action, presidential special mes
sage may be forthcoming urging again
upon Congress the necessity for speedily
carrying out the Presidents recommended
tion in his annual report This hint was
received today with varying comments
Some Of the protectionists who are fight
ing against any reduction OF tarin SAID
thai such a message would further COM
plic;Lte the situation by enraging the beet
sugar contingent In the House and stiffen-
ing their opposition to the Administrations
desires. Others said It would have tho op-
pUsite effect: that men who are now wav-
ering would simply pass the responsibility
for the whole thing up to the President
and vote with the ways and means leaders.
1t is believed that the President will not
take such action until at least another con-
ference Is held and there is absolute proof
of the inability of the republicans to agree
upon a satisfactory plan.
Two Main Propositions.
The contest in the coming conference has
narrowed down to two main propositions:
First. the suggestion Of majority of the
republicans Of the ways and means COM
mittee for straight tariff cut Of 20 per
cent on Cuban products to be followed by
reciprocal concessions for our merchandise
entering Cuba
Second. the alternative Of a rebate on
Cuban sugar to be paid out Of the United
for distribution among the planters. Mr..
Tawney. himself a republican member OF
the ways and means committee. has such
resolution pending before the conference
and will urge 1t tonight.
The position OF the beet sugar men-and
by that term Is meant all representatives
In Congress who oppose reduction OF the
customs tariff on sugar|s very simple.
necessary for Cuba must be made by the
United States treasury and not through the
reduction of a tariff that was levied ex-
pressly for the protection Of an American
industry.
Beet Sugar Mems Claim.
The beet sugar men claimed today that
they will go into conference tonight with
90 votes sure and ITO probable (out Of q
total of 199) against tariff reduction. They
realize, however. that these votes are not
pledged and are not invulnerable to attack
backed by administration pressure. They
do not know how many of them will stick
through thick and thin in the fight they
are prepared to make.
Chairman Payne OF the ways and means
committee. who is the leader Of the 20 per
cent tariff reduction forces. thinks that in
the end the proposition of the ways and
means republicans will prevail.
Cannot Give Information.
Secretary Root today transmitted to the
House a statement that the War Depart
ment could not furnish the Information
asked for by Mr.. Tawney's resolution re-
garding the ownership of Cuban sugar.
The Secretary says that the records of
real estate transfers in Cuba are preserved
In local offices, the same as in the United
States. However, he says, the resolution
has been transmitted to Gov. Gen. Wood.
with instructions to furnish such informa-
tion as may be in his possession 1t Is not
q part Of the general plan, says Secretary
Root pursuant to which the records Of the
military government Of the Island of Cuba
are kept. to reproduce any such records as
the details Of local transactions