Evening star., 1902-02-04
REDUCTIONS OF TARIFF
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MAX.
ING NO MOVE.
Want Special Message I'm Regard {,
Cuba-Not in Touch With
the People.

Up 10 TINS writing the committee on ways
and means has made no move in the direc-
ton Of Cuban reciprocity. The high pro-
tectionists are loath to recommend tariff
reductions and are still higgling over the
testimony taken in the recent hearings.
Nevertheless the opinion remains un-
changed among the best posted members
in both houses of Congress that the COM
mittee will eventually give way and permit
Cuban reciprocity to prevail.
1t is believed that the present efforts of
the republican majority of the committee
are devoted mainly to seeking justification
for meeting the Presidents wishes against
their own Judgment. Nothing thus far
presented has changed the belief entertain
ed by the high protectionsts of the com
mittee that no inroads should be made on
the tariff schedules of the Diagley act.
They would be glad If some way could be
found to relieve them of responsibility for
such action.
Want a Special Message.
For that reason they would not be sorry,
1t is said, to have the President send
special message to Congress urging tariff
concessions to Cuba. 1t is considered pos
sible that they may find opportunities TO
avoid action until such a message does
come
The Cuban question, however, is not the
only one likely to bother the high protec-
tionists of the committee in the near fu-
ture. The specter of an influential agita-
ton for reduction of steel and iron duties
is certain to haunts them before weeks
have passed. They would probably scoff at
this suggestion, but it is said that II would
be because they have not apprised them
selves of the growing sentiment among
their republican colleagues of the House.
1t is a subject of frequent comment
among republicans that the ways and
means leaders are inclined to hold them
selves somewhat aloof from the rank and
file of the republican membership. Asso-
ciated they are with the committee Oh
rules, the Speaker and the floor leader the
group combining the real masters and die
tators of the policies of the House. it is
often complained that they listen to sugges-
tions from their fellows with an indiffer.
ence born of conscious power.
Not Within GunshOt of the People.
"The committee is not within earshot
of the republican majority of the House,
nor within gunshot of the people This re-
mark made to a Star reporter today by a
republican of prominence and influence from
state this side of the Wabash river voiced
a sentiment frequently heard in private
conversation with members of middle-state
delegations.
1t would be no surprise, therefore. if the
high protectioniStS of the committee do not
know that there are at least two other re-
Babcock and Mr.. Tawney, who are disin-
clined to hold the extreme radical high pro-
tectionist views of Mr.. Payne, Mr.. Dalzell
Mr.. GroSvenor ct al
1t is improbable that this situation will
result in reporting the Babcock bill from
the committee. 1t is not improbable that
1t will result in some kind of demonstra-
tfon before this session closes which will
enable the western republicans to at least
make a record which they can produce be-
fore their constituents next fall to prove
that they were not oblvious of the exist
ence of the tremendous sentiment of the
middle west for a lowering of excessive
tariff rates.
Cane Sugar Democrats.
The cane sugar democrats of Louisiana
who have been smuggling up close to the
republicans within the past few weeks
while the sugar tariff was under discussion.
gave an evidence yesterday of what their
real attitude is upon general tariff ques-
tions. Mr.. Robertson of Louisiana, a demo-
cratic member of the ways and means COM
mittee, has warmly echoed all of the pro-
tectioniSt sentiments on sugar uttered be-
fore the committee up to this time and
promptly deserted the protectionists yester-
day and voted for a reduction of the duty
on steel and iron.