The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-14
Conference Of House Republicans on
the Cuban Relief Question,
but No Agreement.
APPOINTMENT OF ARBITERs
WHO WILL ATTEMPT To HARMON
IZE PRESENT DIFFERENCES.
Secretary shaw Not in Favor OF Pur-
chasing Bonds AT Present Prices
Bills and Committee Work.
eolal to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. March Ex-senator Nor
gan's insistence in rushing the report Of
the interoceanic canal in favor OF the Mica
raguan route to the Senate before the hear
ings were concluded will have the effect OF
delaying canal legislation. Senator Hanna
was not ready for report TO be made. and
he is supported by Senators Pritchard. Mil
lard and Kittredge. They are opposed TO
the Nicaragua route at this time. although
they are subject 10 conviction. All are
practical business men and object TO hav-
ing the Nicaragua route forced upon them.
Mr.. Morgan Is chairman of the canal COM
mittee by the favor of the Republicans.
He has devoted years Of study TO the ques-
tion. and although a Democrat. the Re-
publicans CONSIDERABLY permitted him TO
remain chairman OF this important COM
mittee when it would have been in con-
formity with party usage for a Republican
TO have taken his place. Mr. Morgan has
shown no appreciation Of this; he has taken
advantage OF every opportunity TO disre-
gard the party programme in the Senate,
although that was plainly for proceeding
rapidly practical with canal legisla-
ton. By forcing his bill out at this time
before the hearings complete he gets a
bad place in the Senate programme, for
Mr.. Hanna and the others will not permit
the passage of the bill until the other
proposition is thoroughly investigated. The
Republicans will keep the canal measure
behind the appropriation bills and II all
the supply bills should pass before the de-
bate on the canal bill is closed IL would
leave IL over until next December. All this
presages an early adjournment of the Con-
gress.
The amendments TO the original protocols
between the United States on the one side
and Nicaragua and Costa Rica on the
other. outlining treaties to govern con-
struction of a Nicaraguan canal, have been
substantially agreed upon. The new proto-
coils yet require signatures. but the fact
that they have advanced TO this point is
probably the basis for Senator Morgan's
statement 10 the effect that working ar
rangements had been completed between the
countries 1t cannot be learned from any
official source as yet upon what points
the new protocols differ from those pre-
sented to the Senate during the last ses-
sion of Congress, but the general state
ment is that the only alterations are those
absolutely necessary 10 meet the points
of difference between the original Hay
Paunsefote treaties (which failed) under
which they were drawn and the treaty as
finally ratified.
The Post tomorrow will say that Senator
Dietrich, OF Nebraska. proposed a new plan
in connection with the Panama offer where
by the $4O.0Oo,000 shall be withheld until IL
is shown that the canal can be constructed
for 500 10000. the estimated cost. II when
completed It shall have cost this govern
ment $4,000 900 the additional $4,000 900 shall
be paid to the Panama Company II on the
other hand the canal cost S250000 600 then
the company will forfeit the amount OF con-
sideration il asks OF the United States.
Senator Dietrich says he talked the matter
over with the agent Of the canal company
and the latter thought the company would
be willing to accept the proposition.
Representative Overstreet said to-day
that no effort would be made to unduiy
measure in the House. He said that IL
would be allowed 10 rest for a time, giving
the members time 10 thoroughly UNDER
stand it's provisions and its necessities. and
1t would be taken up probably at the close
of the session.
XXX
Representative Crumpacker made very
good impression in the House when he
argued against the payment OF special
bonuses TO railroads for giving extra serv-
ice in mail carrying when the extra service
consisted OF nothing more than the regular
service. and he said il was an abuse which
had crept into the postal system through
a combination OF good nature and neglect
and should be corrected as soon as possible
Late this afternoon the work OF harmon
izing the conflict OF House Republicans
over Cuban reciprocity had progressed
so far that a committee OF conferees. or
arbitrators, representing the two sides OF
the controversy assembled 10 frame COM
promise agreement. The meeting was held
ir the private quarters OF the ways and
means room with Chairman Payne and
Representatives Dalzell and Cannon present
in behalf or the ways and means reciproc-
ity element while five members OF the Op-
position. namely. Representative MetcaIf
OF California. Dick and Tayler OF Ohio.
Fordney of Michigan and Morris OF Min
nesota. acted as arbitrators I'm behalf %
and means original plan OF % per cent.
reciprocity for an unlimited period. The
conference lasted about two hours. and
was not productive or nnal results, an ad-
journment being taken until 2 p. m. to-
morrow. All plans OF compromise which
have been suggested were reviewed par
ticularly that limiting the reciprocity period
until December. 1903. Beyond discussing
the several plans. no action taken.
When the conference closed II was stated
the discussion had been along such hsr-
monious lines that an agreement seemed
assured. Chairman Payne and his asea-
ciates seemed 10 be less confident than the
other conferees that an agreement was in
sight.
Prior 10 the meeting OF the arbitrators.
the element opposing the ways and means
CONTINUED on PAGE 4. COL. %