New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-07
FOR CONCESSIONS TO CUBA.
CHAIRMAN PAYNES ARGUMENT FOR
RECIPROCITY AND AGAINST
REBATE PLANS.

Washington March 6.-Chairman Payne. OF
the Ways and Means Committee. to-day made
the following statement in connection with the
discussion over Cuban reciprocity:
I think the large majority of the Republicans
have made up their minds that we must do
tions presented which have this professed end
in view. The proposition of Mr. Morris, of
Minnesota provides for an increase in the tai
iff on sugar 10 the outside world and a rebate
on sugar imported from Cuba. It does not seem
10 me that many Republicans are willing 10
ICIease Ihe duly on sugar
Then there is the proposition of Mr. Tawney,
70 vote between $7000.O0O and $S.000.000 direct
ly into the Cuban treasury and 10 ask the Cuban
Government to distribute about $1,000.000. ac-
Cording 10 his figures TO native Cuban planters.
This first payment is to be paid without any
compensation from Cuba in any way manner
"a pure gift TO the Cuban Government. II
hardly needs the opinion of a lawyer 70 say
that such d procedure would he unconstitu-
tional.
His proposition further is to pay like sum
yearly on the granting of reciprocal concessions
and the passage of our imngra ton and eXclu-
sion laws. OF course. no bounty of this kind
could be distributed without a scandal and
fraud In the next place, seven-eighths of the
Cuban laborers would still remain without work.
It would be just as easy for the Sugar Trust 10
obtain a concession on the sugar they bought
on account of the bounty TO obtain
cession where the planter knew he was to have
q 70 per cent concession in duty SO that Mr..
Tawney's proposition has advantage over
that for 20 per cent reduction, and # has the
Disadvantages named
The third proposition is that for 20 per cent
reduction Of duties. This would injure no home
industry Coupled with the provision 10 ex-
tend exclusion laws to Cuba. no one ap-
pearing before the Committee Ways and
Means contended that it would so injure home
industries. All agreed that the price Of sugar
10 the American consumer would remain the
same. Nor would il inure to the benefit Of the
Sugar Trust The witnesses before the com
mittee united in testifying-and the statistics
prove-that the trust has received no benefit
in buying sugar either in Hawaii or Porto. Rico
since the duty was reduced or removed The
entire benefits have heeD ned he
in these islands. We have every reason to be
lieve the same would prove true as to Cuba
Many misleading statements TO the atti-
tude Of the President the Cabinet and the House
Republicans are appearing in the newspa pers.
I cannot speak of conferences with the Presi-
dent But / have every assurance that the
Cabinet IS not divided this question, nor have
majority Of the House Republicans commit
ted themselves either 70 the Morris. the TawneY
the do nothing policy.
The proposition Of 20 per cent reduc-
ton, If adopted, will put of. in my judgment,
the annexation of Cuba for many years. She
will in until her population IL
Americanized from the states. II viii settle
question for generations to come md
give rest and tranquility 1" the sugar bust
ness. II the reduction Is made, further
change will he made until we hnve annexa
tion and trade. To refuse do
thing would put the House in n position
hostile o the President, would uncer-
tninty and n feeling of apprehension to the
producers of sugar in the States, and would
he utterly demoralizinG.
PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE UNCHANGED
AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT MADE
PUBLIC AT THE WHITE HOUSE
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUYEI
Washington. March 6.-The following official
statement was issued at the White House o
night by William Loeb. jr., acting secretary 70
the President:
Any statement that the President hns
changed his attitude the Cuban reci-
procity business Is without the slightest
foundation u