Evening star., 1902-03-08
A PROPOSED SOLUTION
Commission to Investigate
Cuban Commercial Distress.
RESTS WITH PRESIDENT
his VIEW ON THE SUBJECT rs NOT
KNOWN
House Leaders Are Becoming More
Aggressive-Quiet Canvass
Being Made.
RESTS WITH PRESIDENT

proposition will be presented to the
publicans of the House in next Tuesday
nights conference for solution of the
problem OF Cuban relief and to heal the
threatened party dissension over that ques-
tion. The suggestion will be that further
action be postponed until reports shall
have been made by a committee Of the
House, composed equally of the advocates
of reciprocity and the opponents of tariff
reduction, who shall visit Cuba and inves-
tigate the situation.
The commission. if authorized, would in
yestigate the extent of commercial dis
tress, existing or threatened, and ascertain
who would be the recipients of proposed
tariff relief offered by this government
1t is said that the adoption of this prop
osftfon, or its rejection. remains with the
President and 1t is expected that between
!. now and Tuesday night his views upon 1t
will be learned. The beet sugar protection
lists, 1t is said, would favor it. and it is
urged that II the President should accede
the ways and means committeeman would
have no reason to reject the compromise.
Would Relieve Embarrassment.
Many members of the House are inclined
to look upon the suggestion with favor as
1t would relieve them of great deal of
embarrassment. No one Is able to say how
the President feels upon the subject, al
though 1t is recognized that he may object
to it on the ground that it offers a loop
hole through which Congress may escape
action on Cuban relief.
II is well known that the President still,
believes that some commercial advantage
should be given Cuba. 1t has never been
denied that the Cuban delegates who went
from Washington about year ago to ad-
wise their countrymen TO accept the Platt
amendment. had the distinct impression
that this government would grant some
commercial concessions.
The success failure of the proposed
compromise. therefore, seems to hinge on
the View the President may take of
whether the commission will prove but a
kubterfuge and dodgng OF responsible
ity. or whether the investigation could be
completed in time to secure action by this
Congress.
The compromise in it's present state is a
subject OF suggestion rather than of actual
intention. and has not been absolutely put
forward by any faction. II is in abeyance
as stated. but If favorable assurances can
be obtained from the White House, it is
said. it will be offered Tuesday night in a
formal manner.
Leaders More Aggressive.
The leaders Of the House and Of the ways
ard means committee today entered upon a
more aggressive campaign in connection
with the pending proposition Of the commit
tee for Cuban reciprocity by means Of tariff
reduction. Up to this time the aggressive
ness has been mainly upon the part of the
opponents Of reciprocity, who have organ
lied successful opposition to the recon-
mendaton OF the committee.
1t seems that the opponents Of reciprocity
have been perfecting their organization for
several weeks past" said member of the
ways and means committee to a Star re-
porter this afternoon. Our committee has
not been engaged In organizing. for we have
been busy trying to present to the House
practical plan for the solution Of the Cuban
problem"
Finding themselves confronted with the
compact organization Of republicans claim
ing q majority Of the republican members
OF the House in opposition to reciprocity,
che ways and means committeeman have
decided TO ascertain If such ma ajority exists
In point OF fact. a thorough canvas of the
House is being made IN a quiet way with
out attra citing much attention, but which
y expected to develop between now and
Tuesday night whether the claims Of the
beet sugar protectionists are founded upon
fact.
+. 1t !s said that the President is still firm
In his attitude IN behalf Of Cuban reciproc-
sty as expressed in his MESA ge to Congress-
Speaker Henderson and Chairman Payne
OF the ways and means committee had an
other conference at the White House this
morning. It is considered significant that
II was after that conference the fact be-
came known that the ways and means COM
mitteemen and the House leaders proposed
TO push the campaign in behalf Of the reci-