The Washington times., 1902-06-03
THE PROSPECT OF LEGISLATION
Spooner Compromise Bill
Is Likely to Pass
Eventually.
WORKING MAJORITY CERTAIN
Mr.. Roosevelt Impatient for Action on
Reciprocity Measure and foI an 18th
mus canal-opposition to Waterway
Legislation Determined.

Hlus Sdhdi -SPPOsAtiOH " w aNVl way
Legislation Determined.
Yesterday was a day Of conferences AT
both ends OF Pennsylvania Avenue over
the legislative situation in Congress
Yesterday morning yesterday afternoon
and last night Republican Senators were
in consultation with the President al
his invitation. and at the Capitol tn,
conferences we're almost continuous.
The subject under discussion was the
legislative program for the remainder o.
the session after the Philippine oivil
government bill shall have been passed
by the Senate today. with particular
reference to the Cuban reciprocity tariff
bill. which the Administration and the
Republican party in Congress are
pledged to pass.
Everything now hinges upon the atil-
ity Of the Republican Senators 20 get
together in support OF Cuban tariff
reduction bill. and to ascertain how
strong and how persistent the opposi-
tion viii be 10 the passage of an 18TH
milan canal bil. The latter will be
made the order of business in the SEN
ate beginning Wednesday. but no Cuban
bill will be called up until the Re-
publican Senator's are practically unan-
N : in support Of it.
The Might Conference.
q ' en- was held at the White
'.i lasting until 1880
~ sa ident and some
.t.ye ea rs of the
.sn.te r. . Tho under
disc.s fis rity
measure. s . pa. al.- q.
The obiectia-s j. eI -ar.ar- she
senators ind d. -ass.' 'c..s. m
States where the a-et
is carried IN.
Those n-esent were Sena, a..s
Allison Plat of Connecticut. Door n
and gamma. ana Representative, B.b-
coct. Payne. Dalzell, Overstreet. Bull.
C@nnon and Sherman. Postmaster Cen
-ral Payne was also present.
In the consultations which the Presi-
dent has had with Senators and Repre-
sentatives from the beet-sugar districts.
it has been urged upon him that politi-
cal exDediency enters very largely into
the opposition to Cuban reciprocity
Some o. the opponents OF reciprocity
have told the President that they would
be glad tc support his policy in regard
TO Cuba were IL not for the fact that
their constituents are wrought up over
the alleged prospects that the beet
sugar industry will be greatly injured
by a cut in the tariff on the Cuban cane
product.
Political Aspect Discussed.
The conference last night was to dis /
cuss the political side Of the reciprocity !
question. Among those whom the Presi- /
lent invited were several members OF |
the Republican Congressional campaign |
committee. including Chairman Bab-
cock. Postmaster General Payne. who is
known as the politician of the Cabinet.
was the only person present not mem
Der Of the Senate or House
The President also expressed his in
crest in the passage of an isth-nian
anal bill. and was anxious TO learn the
approximate date when Congress would
be ready TO adjourn. II was the opin-
on OF the Senator'S present that if an
Igreement should be reached promptly
IN the Cuban reciprocity bill the session
would be brought TO an end early in
uly, but no positive assurances could
'e given on either question.
Further conferences Will be held dur
ng the next few days, and It is the gen.
raj opinion that the Administration
Program, which is that OF the leaders
n both Senate and House, will ulti-
nately be carried out.
Senators Sent For.
Those whom he met yesterday rnorn-
ng were Senator's Kittrcdga and Gam
lie Of South Dakota. Millard of Nebras-
p. Nelson Of Minnesota, Culiom Of Illi-
ois, Quay ot Pennsylvania, Scott Of
YES, Virginia. and Foster OF Washing
on.
The Senate Committee on Relations
18th Cuba has agreed TO the compromise
III prepared by Senator spooner, pro-
iding for a reduction OF 20 per cent in
be tariff on goods from Cuba for the 7,
ext Eve years. and allowing the differ
ntial on sugar to remain as in the /
resent tariff law.
About twenty Of the beet sugar Sena-
lrs. however, are opposed to this plan.
hey held meeting on Saturday last /.
nd agreed to support a proposition TO
ly rebate to Cuban sugar producers {
Ut of the revenues collected on imports {
ON the island. They also met ycster- |
ly and arrived AT an agreement 10
and togethee against the passage of 4 :
.rln reduction measure. :
The President and the leaders Cf the :
snatc Cuban Committee hope to win a
fer the advocates Of the rebate plan, s
ID yesterdays White House conference !
as the first OF a series which the Presi- :
.nt will hold with the senators who /
yor that plan. AZ the same time the
resident will endeavor to reconcile the y
Gerences in regard TO the isthmian =
nal bin "
President Roosevelt makes no con-
.alment of his earnest desire that the o
CONTINUED on Eighth PageD