The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-21
Another Conference Held With-
 out Desired Result
BEET SUGAR MEN ARE FIRM
Hanna Contends That United States ls Under Moral Obligation to Aid Cuba by Reciprocal
 Legislation. l-

" aS0lnBIOn, June 6U-ln fbepuDHCdh Senators held another conference today
 on the question of Cuban reciprocity. and after three hours discussion adjourned
 subject to the call of Chairman Allison
 without action. Almost all the Republican 1 Senators who are in the city were pres l ent. There were eight or nine speeches
 made in support of reciprocity and only
 two in opposition to that policy.
 The speeches in support of the reciproci-
 ty bill were made by Senators Foraker. Beveridge Lodge. Hale. Warren, Aldrich. McComas and Hanna, Senator Platt of Connecticut adding a few words to what
 he had said at the Wednesday evening meeting. The two speeches in opposition to the Iroposed legislation were made by Senators Burton and Burrows. The speeches for reciprocity were, without ex- ceptinn, pleas for legislation and for party harmony.
 Growing Importance of Trade.
 Senator Foraker opened the proceedings with an appeal to his party colleagues to get together in support of this measure which had, he said. become party oues- ton, having been made so by the attitude
 
 tut by that of his honored predecessor. He said the question was an economic one. and that reciprocity would promote not only the interests of Cuba but Amer lean interests well.
 Senator Beveridge dwelt on the growing importance of American trade with the
 outside world, and said the present op-
 po1tunity to extend our hold on the good
 will of the Cuban people should not be 1 lost
 Senator Lodge dwelt with especial em- | phasis on the importance of having Re- | publican senators to stand together al 1 this critical point in the party's history | He declared that if reciprocity with Cubs
 was not secured now 1t would be at { | later date. Senator Warren spoke brief, l in the interest of party harmony. Sen l ator McComas declared his adherence te l the Senate reciprocity bill | Senator Hale said that 1t should be dis tinctly understood that in supporting this
 measure, he did not surrender his prin- ciples as protectionist. He believed that the Cuban people would secure the benefit of the proposed reciprocal rela- ton.
 Senator Aldrich dwelt with special em-
 phasis on the necessity of the party pre-
 senting a solid front at this time. and
 with respect to this measure. He reiter- ated the statement that the question was a party question. He ridiculed the idea that the proposed reduction would inJure the beet sugar interests, saying that as sugar now receives protection amounting to about 100 per cent on the cost price,
 the reduction proposed in the bill sug-
 gested by the Cuban committee, still
 would leave a protection amounting to Sd per cent He, too, announced that tho friends of reciprocity with Cuba would not content themselves until they were successful.
 A Moral Obligation. Senator Hanna spoke of the question of extending the proper aid to Cuba as a moral obligation He referred to Pres ident McKinley's attitude on the subject
 and quoted the Presidents Buffalo speech as making 1t imperative on this gov- ernment to enter into proper reciprocal relations with Cuba
 Senator Burton of Kansas supported and defended the attitude of the beet su- gar Republicans. He spoke especially
 with reference to an intimation that the bect sugar senators were not loyal to the | party. His side, .ie said. stood for the | support of one of the most promising and
 1t was one of the most deserving infant 1 industries and he urged that this interest l in the house should have the same pro- | tecting care that the Republican party | had given to other struggling lHuuStr1eS. | He said the beet sugar men were willing
 to help the Cubans if they needed help. but he contended there was no need for | assistance now. Nor did he believe that
 If the contemplated legislation should be | enacted the Cubans would secure the 1 benefit.
 1 Cuban Labor We'll Paid. Quoting MT. Platt of Connecticut MT. 1 Burton said that Ouban labor is as well 1 paid as is farm labor in any part of the l United States and he concluded that the 1 planters who could pay such wages were | not in desperate straits Nor, he added. could 1t be said that the Cuban govern
 ment was in a position to ask assistance. When Governor Wood retired from Ha- vana there was $S00O0O in the Cuban treasury and the government had an as-
 suren income of s17,o00000 annually Senator Burrows produced copy of President McKinleys Buffalo speech and
 read extracts to show that the beet su-
 gar senators are In accord with MT. Mo- Kinley's position. He also quoted the last annual message of President Roose-
 vent saying that the beet sugar men were in accord with the Presidents posi- ton as there outlined.
 The conference adjourned to meet at the call of the chairman and it is gener- ally believed that another meeting will occur some time next week.