West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-03-25
TALKED TO THE PRESIDENT.
Opponents of Cuban Reciprocity Sum-
moned-Did Not Try to Co.
cree Them.

Washington, March 25.-A confer
ence was held at the White House
yesterday afternoon between the
president and seven of the Republican
members of the house of representa-
tives, who have been foremost in op-
posing the plan of Cuban reciprocity
urged by the ways and means COM
mittee and understood to have the
support of the administration. The
members whoscalled were Representa-.
tives Tawney and Morris, Of Min
nesota; Dick. of Ohio: William A.
Smith, of Michigan; Minor. of Wis
consin; Metcalf, of California, and
Dayton, of West Virginia. The call
was at the request Of the President,
who desired an exchange OF views
to the end that harmonious action
might be secured in such steps as
are taken in behalf of Cuba.
1t was stated afterward by those
who had participated in the confer
ence that it was of the most agree
able and pleasant character, and that
there was not the remotest sugges
ton on the part of the chief execu-
tive which could be considered as
seeking to urge them to yield their
personal convictions.
President Wants Reciprocity.
The callers were frank to concede
that they found the President de-
sirous of extending effective relief
to Cuba by the reciprocity plan. IN
this connection it was stated the
President drew attention to the fact
that the Sibley amendment limiting
the reciprocity period of December l,
1903, gave the Payne bill rather
one-sided aspect, as it asked Cuba to
adopt our naturalization and immigra-
ton laws and not give us tariff con-
cessions, without limit Of time and in
return give to Cuba tariff concessions
limited to about year and a half.
Some of the congressman present
were incliaed to admit that we were
asking a good deal from Cuba in re-
turn for the little we would grant to
her.
The interchange of views became
quite general, there being nothing
in the way of definite propositions
one way or the other, but merely an
agreeable expression OF opinion as
to what was best to be done under
all the circumstances Of the situation
In the course of this general talk
the suggestion was made that if the
Payne bill had been modified so as to
take off the differential on refined
sugar some Of the grounds of opposi-
ton might have been removed. How
ever, there was no request, so far as
can be learned, that the bill be amend
ed in this particular at the present
stage. The plan Of rebate, which
was urged at one time, also came in
for discussion and explanation
At the conclusion of the conference
the general understanding was
reached that any statement made by
the public would be to the general
effect that no conclusions were
reached, and that the conference was
confined to a general interchange OF
views. 1t is understood that the Pres
ident will see some of the, members
Of the Ways and Means committee
to-day, thus familiarizing himself with
both sides of the issue, which has re-
Gently arisen in the House. He hopes
that this general interchange with the
leaders from both sides may bring
about unanimity Of action in what
ever is done in behalf of Cuba.