The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-03
TARIFF CONCESSIONS TO CUBA
COMPROMISE PLAN PRESENTED
TO THE PRESIDENT.

Members OF the House Opposed to Tarin
Concessions Propose mat the Coun.
~teryailing Duty Against German and
Austrian Sugars he Advanced 30 Cents.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Members Of the
House OF Representatives who are opposed
to legislation granting tariff concessions
TO Cuba have presented to President Roose-
welt a proposition which they hope will
be adopted as a compromise Of the con-
hicting views of members Of the Ways and
Means Committee.
1t Is argued that through the cartel
system In vogue In both countries the pro-
ducers In Austria and Germany derive an
indirect bounty OF 40 cents per pound In
addition to the Government bounty Of 81
cents a pound. The proposition Ia that the
President through the Secretary Of the
Treasury shall advance the countervailing
duty now in force against these sugars from
81 cents a pound 70 81 cents a pound. In
support OF this plan IL Is argued that 1t
would afford additional protection to the
Cuban planters and give them all the relief
they need and have the additional advan-
tage Of stimuli ting the domestic pro-
duction Of cane and beet sugar.
The President promised that the propo-
sition should be referred TO Secretary Shaw
for his consideration. and this has been
done. No action viii be taken without oare-
full investigation OF the subject. for 1t would
involve the commercial relations existing
between this country n Germany and
Austria, who would be more than likely to
resent any further imposition OF a counter
vaillng duty.
The advocates Of the proposed plan for a
c~ountervailing duty of 10 cents additional
against German and Austrian sugars say
that 1t mounts to a rs per cent. reduction
in the duty on Cuban sugar. thus meeting
the Presidents wishes as 10 the percentage
OF benefit necessary. The meat Of the
matter from a protectionist standpoint 10
that reciprocity would DO a reduction In
the tarif, while the other proposition means
protection for Cuban sugar producers by
imposing a tariff against their competitors:
The interview between the President and
Speaker Henderson and Representative
Dalzell, yesterday, IL may be said on good
authority, was a friendly one, but no con-
illusions were reached. Mr.. Roosevelt said
that his conviction remained the same.
that a reduction OF at least IS per cent. in
the tariff was necessary To place Cuba on
the high road to commercial prosperity.
Messrs. Henderson and Dalzell informed
him that they had made n caretul study OF
the situation, as presented to the Ways and
Means Committee by the representatives
OF both sides. and to their minds there ex-
no reason why Cuba should be assisted
at the expense OF the United States
and tobacco growers They old the Presi-
dent that they thought the action con-
templated might cost the Republican party
the next House Of Representatives, and
while they were willing and anxious to
Join forces with him in relieving Cuban
of any character, they hoped IL
he done without ~endangering the
political welfare OF the Republican party:
Ii Is probable that the subject will be
at the Republican caucus on
Monday night called TO discuss the advis-
ability OF taking up the question of the
laws I'm Southern States, and for
other PURPOSES The recent tariff hear
ings before the Ways and Means Com
will be printed early next week,
and the committee will settle down TO the
consideration and discussion Of the evil
presented. il Is hardly possible
hat a conclusion will lie reached for three
at the most. II 1t il favorable to
Cuban reciprocity. on the lines Of a reduc-
ion In the tairf. a bill will be reported
from the committee. II IL II against, n
will not be necessary. az there Is ne
bill before the committee.