The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-03
No Prospect of a Harmonious
Agreement.
QUESTION CAUSING CONCERN
Leaders in Both Houses in a Quandary-
Republicans and Democrats Alike Fail
to Agree on Any One Proposition.

Inc Republican members of the House
VIII hold another conferences tonight in
the Hall of the House and resume dis
cusslon OF the proposed relief for Cuba. as
recommended by President Roosevelt.
There Is feeling among some of the
Republican members OF the Ways and
Means Committee that something ought
TO be done. Just what that something is,
not two Of them can agree. II is this con-
dition of affairs that worries the leaders
and gives hope to the opposition that
there will be no legislation for Cuba dur
| ing this session
Entire Tariff Question Involved.
II the tariff question could be eliminated
then perhaps some scheme might be de-
vised by which the relief asked for by
Cuba could be granted. But as a redue-
ton in the tariff on Cuban products nee
essarily involves the entire tariff ques-
ton, an effort will probably be made to
get around it by providing for a rebate
OF 40 per cent reduction on all customs
dues on Cuban products
Those on the inside and claiming to
know. say this will be the solution of the
difficulty. 1t Is not likely that this plan
will be agreed on by the conference to-
night. 1t will come later.
Giving Great Concern.
The Cuban situation Is giving great
concern to the leaders in both houses,
although they are confident that sooner
or later bill providing for reciprocal
tariff concessions will be enacted. But
the fight between those who endorse the
views Of the administration regarding the
necessity Of treating Cuba in liberal and
friendly manner and those who fear that
any tariff concessions will result in the
destruction of the beet sugar industry OF
this country, bids fair to be bitter and
protracted. both in the Ways and Means
Committee and in the House, after the
bill shall have been reported.
Last week the Indications were that
there would be a prompt agreement on
the terms Of the bill following the White
House conference Saturday week be-
tween the President and the members of
the Ways and Means Committee. but ap-
the various factions are as wide
apart as ever.
At the conference of the Republicans of
the House tonight the leaders are not
altogether sanguine of getting harmonious
action.
Democrats Divided.
The Democrats in the House are as
badly divided upon the subject of Cuban
legislation as the Republicans. They look
with favor upon only one of the PROPOSE
tons SO far discussed. and this they re-
gard as unconstitutional
This is the plan Of Representative
rawney of Minnesota for a rebate to be
paid to the Cuban planters. The Demo-
rats think that If any legislation is to be
passed for Cuba this should be the most
utifiable Of any Of the schemes proposed
Four of the six Democrats of the Ways
md Means Committee favor the joint res
,lution offered by Representative New
ands of Nevada proposing deduction OF
he tariff upon imports from Cuba pro-
'ided that Cuba arranges to come into the
Union as a State The other two Demo
rats on the committee oppose this propo-
'ition but do not agree upon any other.
The Democrats. however, would almost
o a man support bill TO make fiat re-
luction on Cuban imports without any
Mr. Oxnard Talks With President.
Henry T. Oxnard, president of the Beet
;ugar Association. had a talk with the
President Saturday morning and urged the
of the Tawney rebate plan.
which. he said, would be the best of al!
it would place the money d.
ectly in the pockets of the Cuban people
ir. Oxnard also called the Presidents at
ention to the report that the Brussels
Dat CnDfpranra
greed upon the abolition Of all sugar
ounties. direct and indirect. and said
hat IL this were true it would solve the
,hole problem by raising the price of
ugar throughout the world.
On this account, Mr. 0xnard said. there
no occasion for haste in enacting Cuban
ariff legislation.