Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-13
FOR BEET SUGAR.
Republican Senators in Favor
Have Conference.
They Decide to Support the House
Reciprocity Bill.
Will Notify Advocates of Measure of
Action Taken.

| Washington, June 12.-The Republi.
can senators who are friendly to bee
sugar and who oppose the proposed
| legislation for 2. reduction Of the tariff
OF Cuban products, held a conference OF
almost two hours duration. today. anc
decided to continue their opposition t
the reciprocity proposition. They viii
do this by announcing to the advocat ties
| Of their reduction that they will east
their votes for the reciprocity bill as il
| passed the House of Representatives
including the Morris amendment FOR
| the abolition Of the differential duty or
refined sugar, and that they will re-
sist All amendments that may be Of
iered to it. They Will propose two
alternatives. one of these is to drop
the subject and make no further at
tempt 10 secure reciprocity legislation
The other IS 10 accept the rebate plan.
Todays conference was held in Sena-
Tor Elkin'S committee room. The COM
mittee on Cancellation. consisting OF
Senators Elkins. Burrows and Jones Of
Nevada appointed to confer with the
Senators of the Cuban committee. at
the outset reported that they had failed
10 secure concessions from the resolu-
ton. The effect of the Thurbcr testi-
mony was thoroughly cleared immed-
lately following thi-; report.
A count Of those present ana thos,
absent ana known to be in sympa thy
with the movement. led to the concIu-
sion that there are at least 10 Republi-
can senators who can be depended on
20 stand together in any course
agreed on.
1, 81
favorable to the House bill, the best
sugar advocates concluded that a pro-
position to pass that measure would be
the strongest that could be put for
ward. The combination Of the two
forces would give Il total Of - votes, or
seven more than a majority. There
was objection on the part of some of
the senators present to acceptance of
the House BILL carrying the abolition Of
the refined sugar differential with the
reciprocity provision, but it was point
ed out that by no other course were the
beet sugar senators sure of receiving
the full Democratic vote. The sugEes-
ton also was made, rather than see the
House bill go 10 4 vote under such con
ditions. the friends of Cuban reciprO-.
city either would accept a rebate plan
or permit the session to come to q close
without making further attempt to Sc
cure action This line Of reasoning pre-
vailed ana the decision Of the confer
once was unanimous. 1t was decided
to continue the conference committee
with instructions to present the facts
as here detailed to the Republican
members Of the committee on rela-
lions with Cuba ana to other senators
who advocate straight reciprocity.
The committee in making its report
on past efforts to secure harmonious
action by Republican senator's dwelt at
some length on the details Of the bill
proposed by The reciprocity advocates.
They pointed out with special emphasis
the amendment abolishing the House
provision requiring Cuba's acceptance
Of American immigration, labor and
exclusion laws This action. it was de-
clarcd. would have at least the partial
effect of bringing American wOrkmen
into competition with cheap foreign
labor ana was spoken Of as being most
objectionable. They therefore decided
that this arrangement also should be
resisted as should all others in case the
bill should come to a vote in the Sen
ate.
The Republican caucus Of senator's
which it was announced yesterday
would be held Friday or Saturday. has
not yet been held and Senator Aldrich.
tonight, after a conference with Sena-
tors Allison, Plat of Connecticut and
Mcmillan, said that no date had been
decided on for the caucus. He still
thought. however. that there would be
2 caucus at an early date.