The Washington times., 1902-03-18
Undercurrent at Work
Which May Solve
the Problem.
BEET MEN ISSUE ULTIMATUM
General Conference of Republicans to Be
Held Tonight-Insurgents Would Ex-
act Promise From Leaders That Senate
Keep Hands Off,

| meeting of the teet sugar representa-
| tives was held yesterday for the purpose
of again talking over the situation re-
garding Cuban tariff legislation. in prep
,, aration for the contest that will take
place at the general conference of the Re-
publicans tonight.
All the old straw was thrashed over
for the thousandth time yesterday. and
IL was agreed that the members present
would support 10 proposition involving
any reduction of the Cuban tariff.
Accordingly, instructions In line with
this agreement were given to representa-
tives. Dick and Tayler of Ohio, Morris of
Minnesota. Metcalf of California, and
Fordney Of Michigan, the beet sugar mem
bers Of the compromise committee OF
eight who are attempting to effect .
compromise of the conflicting views Of
their Republican colleagues
Beet Mems UItimatum.
Messrs. Payne, Dalzell. and Cannon. the
other three members of the committee
representing the Ways and Means prop
osition for 20 per cent reciprocal reduc-
ton. received the ultinatum of the beet
sugar men, and then the whole commit
tee adjourned until today They will meet
again this afternoon, and make one more
effort to reach an understanding II they
fail. they will so report to the general
conference at night.
As far as outward indications go, there
fore. no progress has been made for the
settlement of the sugar question, but as
a matter of fact an agreement is in
sight. and although the compromise com
mittee of eight may not formally report
it to the conference. they know now that
it will receive the support of large ma
jority of Republicans whenever 1t is pre-
scented for a vote.
This agreement comprises the Ways and
Means Committee proposition for a 20
per cent reduction with the addition of
the amendment proposed by Representa-
tive Sibley. of Pennsylvania. after talking
with the President and finding that it
would be acceptable to the administra-
tion. providing that the reduction shall
cease December l. 1903. -
This is in general terms the proposition
that will be submitted to the Republican
and adopted either tonight or
at an adjourned meeting. II will receive
a large majority of the votes of the Re-
publican members, and if the minority
of the beet sugar men shall
choose to stand out against it and refuse
10 support the adoption of special rule
ior its consideration and providing for the
cutting off of amendments and general de-
bate, they will have to assume the re-
sponsibility and answer to their con-
;tituents and the Republican party FOR
heir votes.
Take Bill Into House.
Failing to get unanimous vote for
peciaI rule, the Republican leaders will
ring the bill into the House, and if
mendments are offered from either the
Republican or Democratic side, the Speak
T will rule that they are not in order.
It is thought that there will be few
Republican members who will care to as
ume the responsibility of carrying their
opposition to the party programme to the
xtent of appealing from the ruling OF the
hair.
1t is the opinion of the best posted men
mong the Republican leaders that tho
eroic measures above outlined viii not
e necessary. but that there will be prac-
icai unanimity in the Republican confer
nee and that ultimately the votes of
nough Republicans will be secured to
dopt the desired special rule for the
onsideration of the compromise bill
AS a condition precedent 10 reaching an
greement on the proposed legislation tho
eet sugar men are demanding that as
urances shall be given that whatever
i'll is passed shall not be changed in the
enate or in the conference committee
fter it shall be passed by the House.
No authoritative pledges of this kind
IN be made. of course. although many
republican Senators freely express the
pinion that the Senate will willingly live
p to any agreement made by the COM
romise committee, and adopted by the
eneral Republican conference and passed
y the House.
Some Against Move.
But there are other Senators who de-
are that the House must act according
its own lights and leave the Senate
ee to do the same. These Senators
ink that the proposed 20 per cent re-
Iction in the Cuban tariff is altogether
o small to do Cuba any good. and that
e Senate should increase this amount
i'd also extend the time during which
e reduction shall operate leaving it to
conference committee to settle the diff
rences between the two Houses.
SPECIAI NOTICES