The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-06

conversant with the situation that the atti-
tude OF the Cabinet members did not war
rant any such construction.
Later IN the day Representative Iawney
called at the White House and had con-
ference lasting nearly ar hour and half
with the President At its conclusion Mr..
Tawney Joined several OF his associates
who are opposed 20 the Payne resolution. IL
developed that Mr.. Tawney had told the
President there was little or no possibility
Of the adoption Of the Payne plan by the
Republican conference. and that II II was
adopted some forty Republican members
would not consider themselves bound and
would carry the question 20 the floor OF the
House. where there would be additional
comDlicatfons owing TO the attitude OF
Democratic members. The President Is
understood 10 have made his proposition
quite clear and in so doing Is said to nave
removed several apprehensions which
have been afiOat of late. He said ne mad
10 intention a present of sending a special
message 10 Congress on the subject. lie
also expressed the most earnest sOlicitude
that "A satisfactory agreement be reached
by Congress. saying that il was an inner
tied problem" meaning that II had come 10
him from the Mckinley administration.
Furthermore. the President, IL is asserted,
indicated no positive determination In favor
OF any particular idea, but rather a desire
that Congress should deal with the subject
according 10 it's best lights After hearing
from SIr. Tawney his associates expressed
the belief that the President would accept
the rebate proposition IL Congress sent II 70
him They also were considerably encOur-
aged To hear from Mr. Tawney that the
President was not laying down any en-
phatic ultimatum in favor OF the plan as
presented by Mr.. Payne.
While these conferences were going on
at the White House Chairman Payne and
members of the ways and means committee
supporting him were in conference Later
one Of the members said that he was conf
dent the Payne reciprocity proposition com
Inanded a majority OF the Republican MEM
bers, but that the minority was so large
and was so disposed 10 carry the contest
into the House that Mr.. Payne and his
friends recognized the seriousness of the
situation. However, there was no DISPOSE
ton, he said. to accept the rebate plan, as
# was stated this was merely a repetition
Of the plan proposed by the head of the
beet sugar organization two months ago.
Members Of the House were Informed dur
ing the afternoon that several members
OF the Cabinet would confer with the Presi-
dent on the Cuban question, but so far as
could be learned at the Capitol the only
members OF the Cabinet 10 call were Post
master General Payne and Secretary Root,
and the nature of their conferences were
not divulged
Postmaster General Payne said tonight
that the conference at the White House
was perfectly harmonious and agreeable.
lie said il was brought about by the re-
port that the President would to-day send
a message To Congress expressing his
views on the subject He denied there was
any friction of any kind whatsoever. The
President, he said, in order TO get clear
idea OF the situation, wanted TO hear both
sides OF the case and 10 ascertain the real
feeling existing among the RepuDllcan
members of the House. The President has
TO intention at this time, he said, OF send
ing any message TO Congress on the sub
jcct
Representative Cannon. of Illinois. said
tonight that he had called at the White
House this morning on matter personal
10 himself. the speaker accompanying him
While there he Cannon brought up the
subject of the Cuban reciprocity and stated
10 the President that there was a division
or sentiment in the House to what
should be done, If anything, in the matter
of a commercial agreement with Cuba He
told the President that the beet-sugar and
tobacco people did not entirely agree among
themselves as to what course should be
pursued. some favOrinS no action and 9th
ers favOring the Tawney or the Morris
propositions. He also told the President
that there would be another conference
tomorrow, which would be the third the
Republicans have held, and that il had
been Indicated that time should be takeT
for fun conference, each member having
full opportunity To express his views
further. that il might and probably would
be several days before the conference was
ready 10 take definit action.
Speaker Henderson, Mr.. Cannon said
was present during all of the interview
and shared his views "Our going 10 the
White House." said Mr.. Cannon, did not
I'm any way have for its object the urging
of the President to delay sending message
20 Congress on the subject, as nothing was
thought of "A message and nothing was said
about a message" Mr.. Cannon further
stated that the President listened attentive.
~ and acquiesced in the wisdom OF full
consultation in other words" said Mr.
Cannon, while we don't hold conferences
at HIS request or by his permission, the
whole interview pleasant anC
the President. by his manner, in no way
suggested or combated the correctness oil