The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-20
Eject of the Morris Amendment, He
Says, Was of Greater Extent Than
the Author Intended.
AN INVESTIGATION PROPOSED
TRUST SAID TO HAVE PURCHASED
ALL THE SUGAR IN CUBA.
Clash OF House Leaders and 'Tnsur-
gents"-GrOsvenOr ArOuses Weeks
Senate Proceedings.

WASHINGTON, April 19-High tension
was manifested among the members of the
House to-day as a result of the action OF
the House last night in overriding the ways
and means committee on the Cuban reci-
procity bill. Chairman Payne took the re-
verse philOsophically He pointed out that
the effect Of the amendment was to take
off not only the differential on sugar but
also the cOuntervailing duty provided by
the Dingley law, result not intended by
the author Of the amendment. Under the
Dingley act an additional or countervailing
duty is levied on sugars coming from coun-
tries paying a bounty on sugar equal in
amount TO the bounty received. This is by
Section Of the Dingley act and is provi-
sion separate from that making a differen-
tial between the duty on raw and refined
sugar. Mr.. Payne holds. however, that, as
the amendment specifies that the rate of
ISIS cents shall be in lieu of the duties
thereon now provided by law IT takes off
both the dinerential of about u cents
hundred pounds and the countervailing
duty OF the Dingley law, amounting to be-
tween 26 and q cents a hundred pounds.
Representative Morris. of Minnesota, who
framed the amendment, is examining the
Dingley and other laws to determine
whether Mr.. Payne's point is good. Mr..
Morris said that from his inquiry so far he
did not think the claim was good, but if it
was the matter could easily be remedied
by amendment.
Mr.. Payne stated later in the day that
the abolition of the differential and counter
vsllfng duties affected an even greater re-
duction and loss than he had at first esti-
mated. His earlier figures showed the
countervaiIing duty to be between 20 and q
cents per hundred pounds. But this re-
ferred TO raw sugar. and the countervailing
duty the refined article was even more,
namely-.33 per 100 pounds. This, with the
dlfferential of 125 makes a total reduction
on refined sugar Of sos per 100 pounds. Mr..
Long, or the ways and means committee,
also made estimates which in his judgment
bore out the foregoing hBures that the
amendment would take off in differential
and cOuntervailing duties a total of sos on
refined sugar coming from Germany and
other countries giving boUnties.
The Senate is by no means decided as to
what IL will do with the bill The measure
reached the Senate few minutes after
that body convened to-day and was re-
ceived with exceptional interest, which was
made evident by the private comments of
senators. The bill goes to the committee on
relations with Cuba, which is composed of
seven Republicans and four opposition SEN
ators. Mr.. Platt, Of Connecticut, being
chairman. When asked to-day if he felt
disposed TO outline his views of the prob
able course of the committee with refer
ence 10 the measure, Senator Platt declined
10 say more than that meeting would be
called at early date TO decide on
course OF action, merely adding, I'VE are
not going to lose our composure, but will
consider the question carefully. The best
opinion is that the bill will remain in COM
Inittee for some time and a Republican SEN
atOr suggested the possibility of an inves-
tigation into the question of the probable
benehciaries under the proposed reduction,
# made
If the bill had passed the House without
an amendment removing the differential on
refined sugar il would have received the
support of two OF the four opposition men,
Money and Simmons, and they now
more than ever pleased with IT, On the
other hand: at least two OF the Republican
members. Messrs. Mcmillan and SpOoner,
oppose the bill The indications are that
the Democratic strength of the committee
VIII now be thrown to the support of the
differentfal amendment. Hence, il seems
probable that the character Of the report
10 be made TO the Senate, II any is to be
made, viii depend upon the other Repub-
lican members of the committee, Messrs.
Platt Aldrich, CullOm, Deboe and Burn
ham Senator Teller says he will support
any action calculated to kill the bill in the
Senate. and he is inclined TO think that the
House adoption of the amendment for the
removal Of the differential tariff VIII have
that effect. There are not few members
who think the bill will De allowed to die
81 the committed
Mr. Teller to-day introduced In the Senate
Whereas. 1t has been currently reported
That nearly the entire crop or cuban sugar
has been purchased and is now held by
what is generally known the sugar
trust. which Is the principal consumer OF
raw sugar in the United States, and that
any concession given 10 the raiser of cane
sugar i'm the Island of Cuba or any meas
ure intended for their relief by admitting
their sugar at reduced rates OF duty into
the United States will only benefit the
sugar trust and that the CUbans will re-
ceive no real benefit from such concession;
Sud.
Whereas. 1t is alleged that a number of
citizens OF the United States have acquired
large holdings Of cane-producing lands IN
cuba and now especially urging the
reduction OF the duty on sugar under the
claim that such reduction will beneht the
people OF Cuba, therefore. be IL
Resolved, That the committee on rela-
uo1S with Cuba be directed to make an
loFestigat tiOn as TO the truth OF such
charges and TO report TO the Senate, and TO
report IN addition thereto what Is the
normal cost OF making sugar in the Island
or Cuba. and. also, il any concession snail
ge made in the way of reduction or the
GDty on sugar coming from Cuba into the
CHlled States what concessions should De
made by the government OF Cuba about 10
% established on articles produced in the
tlAled States and exported into the lsland
y Cuba in order TO make reciprocal and
SiCltable arrangement as 10 exports 10
una and imports therefrom 10 the United
states"
The resolution was referred to the COM
nhttee on relations with Cuba at the sug-
stsuon OF Mr. Platt. OF Connecticut, chalr-
HHrrH