Evening star., 1902-02-17
Problem Before Ways and
Means Committee.
THREE PROPOSITIONS
MAY CHOOSE ONE OR SOME OTHER
ALTERNATIVE.
Arrangement Expected to Be Temper
ary-Mr. Smiths Bill Acceptable
to Beet Sugar Men.

The republican majority of the ways and
means committee are expected to this week
begin the serious consideration Of the aues-
ton Of Cuban relief. No one at this time
ventures a definite forecast Of their solu-
tion Of the problem.
I'VE haven't any program; we don't know
ourselves what ought to be done" This
sentence would adequately summarize the
reply Of the republicans Of the commit tee
to the question put to them in conversation
in the past few days of What will the
committee do for Cuba?"
Three propositions dealing with the uues-
ton confront the committee. They are:
First fiat reduction of 25 or 33 per cent
In the tariff on Cuban products.
Second, an outright appropriation of
money to the Cuban government, to be by
it distributed.
Third, a rebate on importations Of Cuban
sugar, to be paid to the producers of the
staple.
To Make Choice.
1t will be the purpose Of the republicans
to make choice between these or some
other alternative which may suggest itself.
that will not produce party strife. They
find it difficult at present to see how party
friction can be avoided in the adoption of
the first proposition unQualifiedly.
relief to Cuba. of whatever character,
should be temporary in effect. They are
diSinclined to enter into a permanent reci-
procity treaty with Cuba. There is a feel
ing among them that outside OF sugar, Gu
ba's products need no preferential tariff to
admit them to this market If favor is
show to the sugar planters they think it
should be as temporary rs they allege the
present depression In the trade to be.
One suggestion that has been made is to
provide for a reduction Of the sugar tariff
on a diminishing scale, with time limit
for it's termination. Such a suggestion
would contemplate a reducton of % per
cent in the tariff on sugar Of this years
crop; Of 10 per cent reduction on next
years crop; of 10 per cent reduction on the
third years crop. and thereafter the sugar
TO pay full Dingley rates. The argument
advanced in support of this idea is that it
would grant the sugar growers a definite
measure of relief and at the same time
would notify the American beet growers of
the duration and extent Of the Cuban"com-
petition.
Representatives H. c. Smith and Ford
ney of Michigan. who are deeply interest
ed in the question in behalf of the Michi-
gan beet growers, have proposed a solution
Of the difficulty.
Mr.. Smiths Bill.
1t is comprised in bill which was intro
duced in the House today by Mr.. Smith.
The bill amends section 300 Of the Dingley
tariff act by adding thereto the following:
provided that the President be, and he
is hereby, authorized to negotiate a reci-
procity treaty between the United States
and Cuba. when the said Island of Cuba
shall have assumed it's political identity,
which treaty shall be for a period of not
less than ten years from the date Of the
ratification thereof in and by which the
United States shall refund and pay to the
Cuban government, quarterly, forty per
cent of the duties provided for and collect
cd under and by virtue Of said section, in
consideration and on condition that the
government Of Cuba shall, turing said pc
riod, grant concession of all duties on
articles imported by Cuba from the United
States: and condition that no duties
shall be refunded on any of said articles or
things for the growth or production of
which any bounty has been offered, pro-
Vided for paid"
Mr.. Smith estimates that such a prcvi-
sion would refund to Cuba about $520,0O0 a
year. He says that it is approved by the
Michigan beet sugar growers and will be
urged in their interest before the commit
tee.