The Washington times., 1902-05-20
Conference Between SEN
ators Platt, Hanna
and Aldrich.
TARIFF BILL IN COMMITTEE
Republican Members to Commence Work
on the Measure in Earnest Today
House Bill Not Favored and Work Will
Be Along New Lines.

A meeting of the Republican members oil
the Senate Committee on Relations with
Cuba will be held this morning. when the
work Of framing reciprocity tariff-rs.
duction measure that can command the
support Of the Senate Republicans as a
body will be taken up in earnest. This
meeting was preceded by a conference yes
terday afternoon between Senators Platt.
Hanna. Aldrich. and one or two other
Republican leaders. which was continued
until a late hour last night.
The bill passed by the House of Repre-
sentatives some time ago providing for a
reciprocal reduction Of 20 per cent in ad-
dition to the removal Of the differential
duty on refined sugar has very little sup
port in the Senate and will not be seri-
ously considered. The Senate committee,
therefore. will take up the subject without
regard to the action of the House and
deal with 1t as plain proposition for ar
ranging such reciprocity schedule with
Cuba as will give the commercial relief
desired to the Inhabitants of the new re-
public, and at the same time extend ad-
vantages to the importers Of American
products into Cuba.
A Straight-0ut Reduction.
Senator Platt of Connecticut. the chair
man OF the committee, has in mind bill
which he hopes may be Endorsed by at
least forty-fve Of the fifty-fou Republi-
can Senator's. this being one more than
half OF the Senate. which as at present
constituted numbers eighty eight Senator
Platts bill provides for straightout
reciprocal reduction Of % percent with
no proposition to remove the differential
on refine sugar. or any part of 1t, and
omitting the provisions OF the House bill
with regard to the obligation of Cuba to
enact and enforce contract and immigra-
tion laws Mr. Platt is one of those Sena-
tors who believes that 1t is within the
power of Congress to make reciprocal
tariff with Cuba without negotiating a
treaty. which would require a two-thirds
vote for ratification. He Is. therefore. op-
posed to the suggestion made by the op-
position. that IL would be better for the
United States to wait until the new Cuban
is firmly established and
then proceed to arrange a form of treaty.
Although large majority Of the fifty
four Republican Senator'S favor the pas
sage of a Cuban tariff reduction bill. there
TO any legislation on the subject and who
claim to be able to prevent action no
matter how long Congress may remain
in session. The Republican members OF
the Committee on Relations with Cuba
are Messrs. Platt. Connecticut; Aldrich,
Rhode Island: Cullom. Illinois: Mcmillan.
Michigan; spooner. Wisconsin: Deboe,
Kentucky. and Burnham. New Hampshire.
There are four Democratic members,
NazerS
sippi: Taliaferro. Florida. and Simmons.
North Carolina Only two of the Republic
an members are openly opposed to the
passage OF bill so its friends are in the
on the committee. The two men,
,ers whose attitude assumes greatest i'm
'ortance therefore, are Spooner and Nc
MILAN.
Work of Michigan Members.
The Michigan delegation in the House
vas chiefly responsible for placing on the
I'LL passed by that body the amendment
bolishing the differential. and they frank
y admitted that in doing this they were
governed by a desire to kill the bill Since
hen. however. the beet sugar manufac-
urers OF Michigan have regretted the ac-
ion of the House. and have sent resolu-
ions to Washington demanding the defeat
nd have said to the Michigan Senator's
hat they do not desire or expect them
o stand out against their party in opposi-
ion to tariff reduction measure which
'ill not too seriously injure the beet sugar
Industry of Michigan. and which can be
assed in the Senate by the votes of the
republican Senators alone.
II is. therefore. safe to assume that Sem
tor Mcmillan will cooperate with his Re-
rthv saop If1ner tn tDar n
the committee that can receive the
upport Of the Senate Republicans as
ody.
The Democratic opposition. under the
Of Mr.. Teller. of Colorado. Is
cry bitter and determined, and they do
OF hesitate 10 express the belief that the
termination Of the majority Senators
pass a bill is born of desire to aid
ne sugar trust. which. they insist, owns
lrectly or indirectly the Cuban sugar
rop.
Talk of Extra Session.
The expressed determination OF Presi-
,nt Roosevelt to call Congress in extra
,ssion has aroused the ire of some of the
)ponents Of tarlff-reduction measure.
Id they declare that it only Strengthens
em in their belief that no bill should be
,ssed. These Senator's intimate that
ey would be particularly pleased at an
'portunity to put the President to the
st, and that, as 1t is already practically
Ttain that the Republican Senators will
u be able to force bill to q vote, even
they should succeed In agreeing upon
easure, the President will have the
ance OF exercising his constitutional
erogative in calling Congress together
out the LIST OF August. as the present
ssion cannot end before the 1st OF July.
The threatened filibuster of the Demo-
attic opposition to the pending bill pro-
ding temporary civil government for
G Philippines has ended in smoke. The
bate will be practically wound up this
,ek and the bill passed about the 2Sth
slant. After that, according to the Sem
Q program. the isthmian canal bill will
taken up. but IL the Cuban tariff meas
e Is ready 1t may be given the right OF
" on the ground of urgency. and be-
use a measure affecting the revenue can
called up at any time. The opponents
a canal bill are aiding and abetting the
licy Of delay in putting the Senate pro-
am through and are hopeful OF postpon-
I action until such late date In tho
,sion that the whole subject Of canal
,islation will go over until next winter.
t the friends of canal are largely In
. majority in the Senate, and they ars
n in the belief that this session win
end without action.