The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-02
President Said to Have
Declared Intention to
Senators.
WILL NOT WAIT TEN MINUTES
Talk of Combination of Democrats and
Dissatisfied Republicans to Defeat
Legislation on Cuban, Canal, and
Philippines Said to Be Buncombe.

IL Is reported that President Roosevelt
mas declared to some OF his Senatorial
intimates that if Congress should adjourn
without passing some bill for reciprocity
with Cuba. he would issue a call for an
extra session within ten minutes of ad-
iournment
IT Is stated that this was not said as a
threat in any way. but was the Presidents
response when the story was related to
him that combination was in process Of
| formation in the Senate between the beet
| sugar Republicans. the opponents of
| isthmian canal legislation at this session.
and the Democrats, for the purpose Of
preventing action on either of these
measures or the Philippine civil govern
ment bill.
No such combination has yet been made
and the leading Republican Senators not
only say that there will be none, but they
are most positive in their assurances
that some measure for the relief of Cuba
will be passed. and also that the Philip
pine civil government bill will become a
law this session.
Senators on both sides of the chamber
were surprised yesterday to learn that q
combination" had been formed between
the Democratic Senator's and a handful of
their Republican colleagues to defeat the
plans Of the Administration for the en-
actment of important legislation.
Report of Combination.
1t was reported that the Democratic
Senators as body. and the Republican
Senators who are opposed to a Cubar
tariff reduction bill. the pending bill for
providing temporary civil government
for the Philippines. and the isthmian
canal bill. which is on the steering COM
mittee's program, to be disposed of as
soon as the Philippines and Cuban bills
are passed. had effected a working ar
-angement by which all three OF the
measures mentioned are to be postponed
,r defeated.
This combination exists only in the
minds Of those who would like to see IL
brought about. 1t has no foundation in
act.
The Republican Senator's whose support
would be necessary to carry II on. denied
n most emphatic terms that any such
combination exists or that they had ever
cen approached on the subject of form
ng it.
Senator Burrows Denial.
The most radical of the beet sugar
republicans opposed to the Cuban tariff
egislation is Senator Burrows Of Mich
gan. For this reason he was DESIGNATED
S the king bolt of the combination. Mr.
burrows saws:
II never heard of such a combination
nd don't think it was ever proposed
m in favor OF the passage of the Phil
lpines bill and of a canal bill I am
pposed to the passage Of any bill max
lg a reduction in the Cuban tariff I
ould not. however. sacrifice either the
philippines bill or the canal bill to bring
bout the defeat Of Cuban tariff bill.
The Canal Bill.
Senator Hanna said that there is little
: no opposition to the passage of
NAL bill, and that one will be passed.
,cording to the steering committees pro-
am, when the subject is reached in due
der. He thinks there are only two or
ree Senators on each side of the cham
IT opposed to the canal. which is not, OF
'urse. in any sense a political question.
Senator Hanna is in favor of the Pana-
4 route. as everybody knows, but IL he
lis in having the Senate indorse il, he
II support the Spooner amendment leay-
g it to the President to select that
ute which offers the best advantages at
e lowest terms.
There will be 70 combination OF any
TT between the Republicans and the
mocrats on legislation. The aepub-
ans have a large majority in the SEN
,, and will carry out their policies by
publican votes alone.
Z may be that the Democrats will at
npt to delay action on the Philippines
4 Cuban bills. but they will not sucS-
ID.
The Democrats. as party. are in favor
the passage of a canal bill.