Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-01
The BILL Is REPORTED
Representative Payne OF New
York Reports Cuban Reci-
procity Measure.
Explains Its Provisions and
Asks That 1t Be Given
Fair Hearing.
Duty Of the United States to Re.
lieve Distress In the
Island.

Washington, April 1.-The Payne bill
for a 20 per cent reduction of the tarltf
imports from Cuba was reported TO the
house yesterday afternoon. with the
Recommendation that it pass.
Chairman Payne, in reporting the bill
to the house after committee meeting
recited President Roosevelts recon-
mendations in behalf of Cuba, and
said:
"Our relations to Cuba are peculiar.
IL our declaration of war with Spain
and ever since we have solemnly pro-
claimed to the world that our OBJECT
was to give to Cuba stable and lnae-
pendent government. We have labored
for more than three years to accom-
plish that result, and in this endeavor
we have spared no expense. During the
years of preparation we have given heT
an example of the benefit OF law anu
good ORDER of cleanliness and Oh the
preservation of the. public health, ana
of good government generally. She mas
organized her government under con-
stitution, and is now ready to launcn
forth among the nations of the earth IN
the month of May"
Mr.. Payne explained the depressed
condition of the Cuban sugar industry
as due to the worlds overproduction OF
sugar and said:
"This condition threatened grave dis
aster to this, the principal Industrial
product of Cuba. 1t is true that LABOR
in Cuba is, and for the last three
months has been, fully employed at fair
wages, that there has been no distress,
but trustworthy writer. an American
now Interested in sugar and careful
observer, says under date of March ~:
"'While the masses of Cuba are not
actually suffering from lack of food, the
planters and business men are on the
verge of collapse and bankruptcy, and
are anxiously hoping for concessions IN
the United States tariff, in order that
they may receive new life and hope.
The merchants 5hs.ve large sums of
money trusted out and are not paying
each, other. They are simply holding
each other up in the hope of obtaining
relief, and If failures once begin they
will run like wildtire.
Gail the evidenc,. received before the
committee points to a conclusion that
the crisis threatened involves the most
serious consequences. This threatened
financial distress comes at the very
time we are about to set the Cuban
government up in business on it's own
account. We have performed the part
Of guardian up to the present mo-
ment and are about to send the ward
forth into the world. We can not af-
ford to take the risk of her failure II q
little timely aid will insure success"
The report adds that we are bound
to care for our own people, but after
reviewing the American sugar sftua-
ton, says:
cit can work no injury to our indus
try if we make this small reduction on
Cuban sugars. The enactment of this
bill will not affect the protection of the
sugar producers OF the Uniter States.
There is no reasonable pretense that
the same reduction on other Cuban
products will injulre any other Ameri-
can industry. Under the provisions of
the BILL we should be able to double
the amount of ol.r export trade with
Cuba, which amounts to s2s,o00,0
more than what we obtained in the last
fiscal year. wn
1.-The action Of the committee Is in
entire accord with the reciprocity doc
trine of the republican platform and
the declarations Of President Mckinley
and President Roosevelt. 1t involves no
proposed revision Of the tariff or any
thing not entirely in harmony with the
maintenance of the, protective system"
Following the action of the ways and
means committee In the reciprocity bill,
the republican members who oppose
the bill held a conference in the COM
mittee room of Representative William
Alden Smith. of Michigan. About thir-
ty members were present, representing
the states interested in beet sugar pro-
duction. No formal action was taken,
but the discussion was in the line of
continuing the contest on the floor of
the house. 1t is expected, however, that
the opposition will be from members
individually rather than from an or
ganized opposition.
There is said to be more than suffi-
cient democratic support of the bill to
offset the republican detection.