The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-07
Only One, the Twenty Per Cent. Re-
duction of Duties, VIII Meet the
Requirements of the Case.
ANOTHER FRUITLESs CAUCUS
NO AGREEMENT REACHED BY HOUSE
REPUBLICANS LAST NIGHT.
Announcement Made that the Presi-
dent Has Not Changed His
Views as TO Reciprocity.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The pub
lican members of the House held another
fruitless caucus on the Cuban relief ques-
tion tonight. Various propositions were
discussed for three hours. but there was no
sign of an agreement and the caucus ad-
journed until next Tuesday night. 1t was
announced al the White House to-day that
President Roosevelt had not changed his
views on the reciprocity question. Chair
man. Payne, Of the ways and means COM
mittee. gave out a statement in which lie
severely criticised the Tawney bounty
proposition.
About 125 members were present at the
caucus tonight. and great interest WAS
manifested owing TO the sharp division
which has occurred between the supporters
of the ways and means proposition for 20
per cent. reciprocity. as put forward by
Chairman Payne. and the rebate or bounty
plan proposed by Representative Tawney.
of Minnesota. Prior to the meeting Speaker
Henderson and Representative Cannon. OF
Illinois, the latter chairman'of the caucus,
called at the White House and were under
stood to have held further conference
with the President on the situation.
When the caucus met at S:15 Mr.. Cannon
occupied the chair, with Mr.. Loudenslager.
of New Jersey. as secretary. Mr.. Dslzell.
of Pennsylvania, a member OF the ways
and means committee and an ardent sup
porter Of the Payne reciprocity plan VAS
recognized at the outset Tor an exyented
speech. presenting legal objection 20 the
Tawney proposition. He maintained that
this proposition was bounty to cubans.
and as such was unconstitutional. He also
urged the impractical character of the
bounty plan, saying there were some 1900
planters dealing through leo middlemen. SO
that IT would be impossible TO make an
equitable distribution. Mr.. Dalzell re-
ferred TO the widespread sentiment of the
press favorable to- reciprocal concessions.
He was interrupted by fire of cross
questions as he proceeded. Mr.. Dalzell de-
clared that the Republican party had never
run away from an issue, and IL should not
run away from this one. He spoke OF Pres
ident Roosevelt's position and read from
the Presidents message favoring reci-
procity.
At one point Representative Mahon. OF
pose Cuba's products were iron and steel.
instead of sugar and tobacco, should they
receive % per cent. tariff CONCESSIONS
One Of the Philadelphia members added
the statement that his district did not
favor the reciprocity plan.
Mr.. Dalzell proceeded with his argument,
maintaining that from the standpoint OF
expediency and practicability the Payne
plan offered the best solution OF the prob
lem.
Representative Tayler. OF Ohio. repre-
senting the old Mckinley district. followed
IN a speech maintaining that there should
be no inroads in the doctrine OF protection.
Representative Mahon followed up the
brief query he had made OF Mr.. Dalzell
by presenting a resolution for the post
ponement of the entire subject until the
next session Of Congress In short
speech he declared that the West had stood
by Pennsylvania when there was not a
smokestack i'm the West. and in return he
proposed TO stand by the beet-sugar smoke
stacks Of the West
Representative Fordney, of Michigan.
sought 10 gain recognition for a PROPOSE
tion somewhat similar 20 that of Mr..
Mahon, postponing action, but the rcsolu-
I tion was not formally presented.
Representative Long, of Kansas. spoke
in favor Of the Payne proposition, and had
not completed his argument when. AT IL
/ q o'clock he yielded 10 Speaker Henderson.
The latter counseled the fullest discussion
before action was taken in order that diff
ferences might be reconciled and an ami
cable adjustment reached. The speaker >
suggestion met general acceptance. and at
II Is the conference adjourned until next
/ Tuesday night.