New-York tribune., 1902-02-01
CUBA AND WAR TAXES.
AN EYPLA Ma TORY STA T'ENENT
BY CHAIRMAN PAYNE.
ACTION OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COM.
MITTEE CRITICISED IN WASHINGTON
HOPE FOR RECIPROCITY
STILL, STRONG
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rniBUNE.I

STILL STRONG.
[Br TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUNE.l
Washington Jan 31.-The storm OF condem.
nation that ragged around Chairman Payne and
his associates the Ways and Means Commit
tee caused them to run for cover to-day. and.
after hasty consultation that was suggested
by Speaker Henderson. Mr.. Payne was INSTRUCT
ed to issue the following statement this morn
ing:
A report is being industriously circulated to
the effect that the Ways and Means Committee,
by taking action the bill reducing war taxes.
has indirectly sought to dispose OF the subject
OF Cuban reciprocity Nothing could be further
from the facts. and the erroneous report appears
TO be the result of mixture of self-iuterest and
unwarranted speculation. The fact is. that the
Ways and Means Committee has taken no vote
on the subject Of Cuban reciprocity. nor has
there been any lCh conference or exchange or
views among the members. among the Re-
pubcanS of the committee. as would warrant
any conclusion that there was purpose to
deal with the subject OF Cuban reciprocity. The
bill to reduce ' revenue taxes was taken up
because it was the sentiment of the commit
tee that the burdens resting upon our own peo-
pie should be lightened before we turned our
attention to tightening the burden of other peo-
pie. But it was not with any Il Il OF making
the reduction of revenue -[xes barrier to,
full consideration of the relief asked by Cuba
attention of the Ways and Means Committee.
and any report suggesting that II has been COW
ertly prejudiced is unwarranted by the facts
Equally unwarranted is the statement that any
informal exchanges among the members or the
committee disclose a majority against any ac-
tion on Cuban reciprocity.
THE STATEMENT CRITICISED.
That the foregoing statment gives all the facts
nobody in Washington with partial
knowledge of the influences that dominate the!
House of Representatives believes As exem-t
plifed by the course of the Ways and Means
Committee in this instance, and the unwilling
of the House to do anything that does not
in
the Committee on Rules. the conduct Of the
House is watched with interest in Washington
to see if recent statements concerning its weak
nesses and shortcomings generally are based
a solid foundation of fact 1t is the consensus OF
opinion here that years will be required to re-
habltate the House in the confidence OF the
public. Until there is a change of leadership
and a radical revision of it's rules it is feared
that its proceedings will be watched with sus-
pcion more than with pride or trust.
The best posted and fairest minded members
of both the House and Senate denOunce Chair
man Payne's statement as a makeshift. In sup
port of this contention it is pointed that the
action of the Ways and Means Committee In
caring with tender solicitude for circuses,
billiard rooms pawnbrokers. brewers and the
manufacturers of playing cards. while Cuba
begging patheticaIly for promised help. cannot
be rectifed in time to the House right, and
that therefore. the nation must look TO the
Senate to provide way for the national
pledges 10 be kept inviOIate- Nothing be
hoped from the minority in the House. 1t Is
headless aid inchoate- 1t has neither the
strength. disposition foresight to make a
bold and defiant stand for the right.
TRUST IN REPUBLICAN SENATORS.
In the Senate tie minority is only little II
any better. True it is that the Senate minority
is at present more assertive than it was
in the last Congress, but it has yet de-
veloped leadership that gives promise OF
benefit to the country. Hence the nations honor
in the matter of Cuba rests wholly in the hands
of the Republican majority in the Senate The
leaders are calm and resolute in the face Of the
encouragement with which their efforts in be-
half of Cuba have been met in the House.
While still unwilling to talk for publication as
TO the plan of relief they have formulated for
Cuba, il is known that they will bring for
ward scheme by which ample and full justice
can be meted out to the thoroughly dis
heartened islanders. II is possible. of course.
that the House will yet be forced to retrace its
steps This hope is encouraged by the knowI-
edge that the full power of the administration
is behind the Senate's scheme to give Cuba as
liberal tariff concessions may be found to be
practicable at this time. In his first message to
Congress President Roosevelt used this strong
and convincing language in discussing the theme
of reciprocity with Cuba:
There are weiShty reasons of morality and Of
national interest why the policy of reciprocity
should be held TO have a peculiar application to
Cuba, and 1 most earnestly ask your attention
to the wisdom. indeed. to the vital need, of pro-
viding for a substantial reduction in the tariff
duties Cuban imports into the United States.
Cuba has in her constitution affirmed what We
desired, that she should stand in international
matters. in closer and more friendly relations
with than with any other power; and We are
bound by every consideration of honor and exc
pediency to pass commercial measures in the
interest of her material wellbeiEg.
THE PRESIDENT EXPECTED TO ACT.
These ringing words of the President have
been dinged into the ears of the members OF the
Ways and Means Committee all day. and
they may be reinforced at early date by
n special message from the White House
urging in strongest possible terms. the
most liberal tariff concessions to Cuba before
this session OF Congress closes If the House
shows Willingness TO yield general tariff re-
duction bill for Cuba will be framed and
ported favorably by the Ways and Means Com
mittee. II the House refuses TO yield. then the
same object for the benefit of Cuba will be at
tanned by resort to the treaty making power OF
the government.
This in a nutshell is the situation to Cuba
at present.
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