Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-07
BEET SUGAR SENATORS
Their Position One of Much
Strategic Strength.
LONG DEBATE THREAT
IF A STRAIGHT RECIPROCITY IS
REPORTED.
Some Leaders Advocate a Caucus, but
Others Think Opposition Can
Be Won Over.

The beet sugar senators. in opposition to
the administrators Cuban reciprocity bill
have occupied a position Of considerable
strategic strength. In order to rout them
out, the Senate leaders would have to open
up discussion which they are particularly
anxious just now TO avoid.
If the committee on relations with Cuba
should report the proposed - per cent reel
procity bill. it very likely could be passed
through the Senate-after a time. The con-
certed pressure from majority of the re-
publcans would probably prove too much
to be successfully resisted. and the beet
sugar men eventually would have to yield
But the events that would occur mean
while constitute price too dear to be paid
for such victory. A discussion OF the
tariff question. which might prove exceed
ingly embarrassing TO he party 1t this
time, is threatened. That is what the party
leaders are trying to avoid and accounts IN
part for the patience with which pending
negotiations are being conducted.
Threat of Long Debate.
The beet sugar senator's have intimated
that the consideration Of a straight reci-
procity bill in the Senate would involve a
long debate They say that some dozen or
fifteen senators. viewing the possibility Of
the passage of the bill. would deem il
necessary to explain their attitude, for the
benefit Of their constituents. They fear
they would have to go at length into the
question of reciprocity and tariff revision
to seek justification for this revision Of the
agricultural schedule without the steel.
iron, glass. leather and other schedules be-
ing touched
They apprehend that democratic senators
would take up the debate which would thus
be prolonged and go TO the root of the
whole tariff issue. They recognize a veri-
4 . hoy in .Ff. ~r.1.F.r-
whereas If the rebate scheme is adopted,
the bill can be slipped through without re
mark. They assume. of course. that the
democrats would be blind in one eve. the
eye turned toward the rebate bill and will
overlook the opportunity for tariff debate
on it.
The veiled threat of springing tariff de-
bate by the beet sugar senator's has been
taken into account and, as stated, has had
effect. The party leaders want to avoid
tariff discussion at this late period Of the
session. How long il will be permitted to
weigh is another question.
Some Favor Caucus.
Some republican senator's are in favor OF
hauling the beet sugar republicans before a
party caucus and bring them to show
down" their implied threats to en-
barrass the party with a tariff debate
Let's have caucus and call their bluff' -
is the motto of this element. Another group
of influential senator's however still are
hopeful that pleading and argument can
bring the beet sugar men to terms
The beet sugar senators are firm in their
lnsistence upon the rebate scheme, because
some Of them say they honestly believe
that the White House will come around to
their view. In this connection the House
leaders are on the anxious seat: they alb
solutely refused the rebate plan, believing
they had the President with them. II a re-
bate bill should come back to them from
the Senate they would have to eat some
very unsavory crow.
Conference Without Action.
The Cancellation committee. representing
the beet sugar senators, held it's second
meeting with the republican members Of
the Senate committee on Cuban relations
TODAY. The effort to reach an understand
ing on the Cuban reciprocity bill was con-
tinued. but no agreement was arrived at
Another conference will be held Monday,