The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-13

From The Journal Bureau, Room A5. Posi-
Building. Harrington
Washington, March 1S.-This afternoon
insurgent house republicans, at the call
of Representative Tawney, will meet to
consider the proposition Of the ways and
means representatives to grant 20 per
cent reduction to Cuba, to continue one
year. What the insurgents will do cannot:
now be known.
81 think" says Mr.. Tawney, that our
conference will confine itself to consider
to confer with similar committee from
the ways and means, which is already ap-
pointed It will not discuss the merits
of the compromise offered
Mr.. Tawney inclines to the belief that
the ways and means offer shows back
down Of their forces. He declines to say
whether he regards the compromise pro-
vision favorably, but the growing opinion
is that it will be the ultimate basis of
an agreement made necessary as party
measure by reason Of fear that the in
surgents, unless Modified, may be able
to open up the entire tariff question at
this session.
Speaks of Northern Farmers.
'tThe republican majority in the pres
emit house of representatives. said Rep
resentative Dick of Ohio to me this morn
ing, lis due to, the good will of the farm
ers of the north With what grace could
we 60 before them this fall to show that
the only change in the tariff HAD been a
lowering of protection in a product OF
the farms? Reductions in the tariff al
certain other points are now strongly de-
of
show, and it would. be very difficult tc
explain why we had not made some o.
these before touching the farmer"
For example, a letter from manufac-
turer of agricultural machinery in my own
home city says that he can buy the
products of the steel trust so much
cheaper in England than here as to make
1t profitable topay the freight back to this
country on them, and yet The soot OF the
Pittsburg chimneys is almost resting or
his roof. He argues that II any changes
are to be made in the tariff, they ought
first to affect these materials, forming the
poet any, and yet, viewed in the light Of
which has so much to do with our sue
cess in the export market. l have nc
beet sugar In my district and do not ex-
, pect any, and yet viewed In the light OF
| fair play to the farmer, cannot see any
| thing worse than to grant the proposed
concession to Cuba.
| Must Preserve Majority Harmony
| These views are quoted as illustrative
! of the argument which is having so much
| effect upon the house OF representatives
The thing which the ways and means lead
ers fear most is that in some way the
harmonysof the majority ranks may be
broken. It will not do, they say to per-
NIT any republicans to vote with the
democrats, for by SO doing the Babcoch
bill and other legislative measures cal
| culated to unsettle tariff and business
conditions could he passed through the
| house. It is argued that house repub-
licans must stand together, however dis
t satisfied. any may be with the conference
conclusions finally reached. But will
they?
The course of the senate is still uncer-
tain. 1t is holding back the revenue re-
duction bill, which was hurried through
/ the house; and Will doubtless return
| whatever it intends to do for Cuba, il
anything, as part of thatlbill. The tus-
sic will then come in conference. Fol-
| many years the senate has written the
sugar schedules of every. tariff bill.
w. w. Jermane.