The Saint Paul globe., 1902-06-03
President Has Hart-to-Heart
Talks With Republican
Senator's
MINNES0TANS AMONG EN-
Eighteen Reealcitrnnt Senator'S Ar
terward Confer On Cuban Reel
procity and Appoint a Feel
ing COMMITTEES.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 2.-sena,-
tors Proctor, Nelson, Gamble and Kitt-
redge, on an invitation, had a conference.
with the president today in regard to
pending legislation. The subject dis
cussed were the Cuban reciprocity bill
and the prospect for canal legislation at
this session The object Of the confer
ence was to urge upon the senators the
necessity for unaninity of action and the
real necessity for legislation on these sub
jects at this session.
Another conference was held this even
ing at the White mouse with other SEN
ators, in the hope that the members of
the senate can be gotten together on
these matters. and legislation speedily
enacted. AS to the canal bill it is known
that the president would reluctantly ac-
cept the responsibility imposed by the
SpOoner amendment of selecting the
route, but he would much prefer that con-
gress select the route itself
Urges United Action.
The president sent for senators who have
been opposed to granting concessions on
the ground that it will seriously interfere
with the beet sugar interests OF the coun-
try. He urged upon these senator's the
Importance of united action, if possible,
and expressed the hope that the Re5ub-
fcans would act together The president
again assured these Republicans that in
urging action on reciprocity he was car
rylnS out the announcement of President
Mckinley, uttered III his last speech.
Whlch mad met such popular approval
throughout the country, also the prom
ises that had been made concerning con-
cessions to Cuba. The president indicated
tEat the adoption Of the PIatt amendment
made it obligatory upon the United States
to treat Cuba differently from other ma
ticns.
In one casual remark he said that
events may show that it would have been
better TO have allowed Cuba To be absa
lutely independent, as was Mexico. He
told these Republican senator's that the
party ought not to be divided on tariff
issues, as it was entering the compaign.
ana ne expressed the hope that a Cuban
Dill would be passed without the aid of
Democratic votes.
Eighteen Senator's Meet.
One result of the conferences that have
pecn held at the White house was a
meeting today in the committee room OF
Senator Elkins, where those senator's on
posed to granting concessions to Cuba or
who rejected the straight reciprocity plan
or the majority, assembled to consider
the propositions.
Eighteen senators attended the confer
ence. Messrs Elkius, Scott, Perkins
Bard Gamble, Kittredge. Dietrich Mil
Iard. Burrows, Foster, Mitchell Nelson
Clapp' Burton, Kearns, Jones (Nev0, Ma
son and Pritcbard Senator Prftchard
ala not go further than to saw that he
was opposed to Cuban concessions. but
Would abide by Republican caucus.
Whole Tariff or None,
1t was stated that the senators in the
conference were opposed to any. tariff
changes. especially Of the piecemal char
acter, but that if any changes were to
he made they thought that the whole
tariff should be revised.
1t was determined that the ,+n,oe+ a.,
cesslon to be granted should be in the
way OF a rebate turned over to the Cuban
treasury to be disposed of by the Cuban
government thought desirable This re-
pate, to be either %, % or 80 per cent
OF the duties collected on Cuha7s nro5-
uctsi II was stated, was offered sinnlv as
a compromise by those who were opnosed
TO Cuban concessions.
Inc conference selected Senator Bur
lows, Jones OF Nevada, and Dietrich. to
corner with members of the COMMITTEES on
relations with Cuba and inform them of
the attitude Of the senators who nartio5
pated in the conference.
Down ON All Tariff Revision
4 conference was held at the White
mouse tonight and was attended hy lead
His Republicans of both houses. There
F "eIe present Senators Allison, Platt, of
Iohhectlcut; Hanna, SpConer, Represen-
tetlVes Payne, Dalzell, Babcock. Hull
Sherman and Overstreet and Post,nastor
General Payne. Those present included
members Of the finance committee of the
senate, the ways and means committee of
the mousse and of the Republican con-
gresslonaI campaign committee
Inc subjects under discussion were
pending legislation and its relation to the
coming campaign. The chief reason for
the assemblage. however, was the tacir
the discussion turning on the advisabiIttv
OF attempting any revision now or or
taking up the matter in committee during
the recess of congress with view to
presenting measure in the short ses-
sion.
Revision Unnecessary.
All of those present were decidedly op-
posed TO tariff revision, either now or at
the short session. the view being ex-
pressed that revision was unnecessary
and that, furthermore, there was no time
tor It. The opinion prevailed that any
-A-S' SA4SAAN III lLlC QlT6CIlOn Oh changes IN
the tariff schedules would disturb busi-
ness conditions and compicate the COM
ing campaign.
suggestions as to tariff revision have
been made to the president by opponents
or reciprocity, but congressman present
represented that to change the tariff on
one product, like sugar, affecting the
peet sugar interests only, without max
ing changes in other schedules, would
nave disastrous effect in the beet sugar
states. Members representing those states
VINO nave seen the presiaent recently told
hlm that they were willing to have
general tariff revision, bat were opposed
TO change on one article only, as
would be the practical effect OF the pro-
posed cuban reciprocity legislation.
The members of the campaign commit
tee coneurred in the view that no tariff
legislation was necessary, and, moreover,
would be harmful The senators express
ed the opinion that the plan which SEN
ator Elklns offers as a compromise win
not meet the requirements of the situa-
tion.
Depending Upon the Party Lash.
TT was stated at the White house to-
night that all of the men who attended
the conference at the capitol today will
not stand out against the plan, and es-
peclally if Republican caucus indorses
1t. Previous TO the gathering at the
White house Senator Burrows, one Of the
most earnest supporters of Cuban reci-
proclty, had an interview with Mr.. Roose-
Vett, and presented the case from his