Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-03
PRESIDENT SEEKS HARMONY
Calls Conference at White House 10 Shape
Policy Of Republicans.
URGES NECESSITY FOR UNITED ACTION
General Sentiment is Opposed 60 Any
Revision of the TariH at Present
for Fear of DisturbinE
business.

was held at the White House tonight and
was attended by leading republicans Of
both houses, the president inviting them
to attend. There we're present Senators
Allison, Aldrieh, Hanna, Payne Of Con-
n%ecticut and Spooner, Representatives
Payne. Cannon, Dalzell, Babcock, Hull.
Sherman and Overstreet and Postmaster
General Payne. Those present included
members Of the finance committee Of the
senate. the ways and means committee OF
the house and Of the republican congress
sional committee.
The subjects under discussion were pend
ing legislation and its relation to the COM
ing campaign.
The chief reason for the assemblage was
the tariff, the discussion turning on the ad-
visibility of attempting any revision now
or taking up the matter in committee dur
Ing the recess of congress with a view OF
presenting a measure in the short session.
All of those present were opposed to tariff
revision now or at the short session, the
view being expressed that revision was not
necessary and that furthermore there was
no time for 1t.
The opinion prevailed at the conference
thet any movement in the direction OF
changes 10 the tariff schedules would dis
turb business conditions and complicate the
coming campaign.
Su@RestiOns of Revision.
Suggestions as to tariff revision have
been made to the president by republican
opponents OF reciprocity with Cuba, these
congressman representing that to change
the tariff on one product like sugar, at
fecting the beet sugar interests only with
put making change in other schedules.
would have a disastrous effect In their
states. Some members representing sugar
states who have seen the president recently
told him they we're willing to have a tar
III revision, but were unwilling to have a
change on one article only, as would be
the practical effect of the proposed Cuban
reciprocity legislation.
The members of the campaign committee
present concurred in the belief that no tar
III revision was necessary and that 1t would
be harmful.
The representatives left the conference
some time before the senators and then
with the latter the president discussed In
detail theoutlook for Cuban reciprocity and
especially the stand taken by the confer
enoe of senators which met in Senator Ell
kins' room today. The senators expressed
the opinion that the plan which the Elkins'
conference offers as a compromise will
not meet the requirements Of the situa-
tion.
Efforts for Union.
Continued Efforts will be made to unite
the republicans of the senate on the
Spooner plan for a 20 per cent reduction
for five years, with power given to the
president to annul the concession II It be
found that It goes to any persons other
than the Cuban sugar growers and pro-
ducers. g. -. sr...
1t was stated at the White House tonight
that all of the men who attended the con
ference a the capitol today wilI' not stand
out agains this plan, especially II a re-
publican caucus endorses it.
Senators Proctor, Nelson, Gamble and
Kittredge called at the White House this
forenoon on an invitation and had a con-
ference with the president in regard to the
same matters.
The president assured the republicans
that in urging action on reciprocity he was
carrying out the announcement Of Presi.
dent Mckinley uttered In his speech, which
had met with such popular approval
throughout the country, also the promises
that had been made concerning concessions
to Cuba.
Eject OF Plat Amendment.
The president indicated that the sdop.
" VI ~ AAoNN IL w
~ligatory upon the United States TO treat
Cuba differently from other nations.
In one casual remark he said that events
may show that II would have been better
to allow Cuba to be absolutely indie.
pendent, as was Mexico. He told thest
republican senator's that the party oughI
not to be divided on tariff issues as II
was entering the campaign, and he ex'
pressed the hope that a Cuban bill woult
be passed without the aid of democratic
votes.
One result Of the conferences held a
the White House was a meeting today at
o'clock In the committee room Of Senator FL,
klns. where those senators VIC are op.
posed to granting concessions TO Cuba. Of
who oppose the straight reduction plan o
the majority. assembled to consider differ.
emit propositions.
These are for a nat appropriation to tn,
Cuban treasury, or a rebate on duties col
lected on Cuban imports to be paid into thu
Cuban treasury.
Dietrich Has q Plan.
Senator Dietrich Of Nebraska presented
plan which meets with some favor, aud wa
considered in the way Of a comprOmis,
between the straight out reduction plan an,
those favored by the beet sugar men. /
PlNPO@Eo " HAahN n Va ~ &c
cent on Cuban products for i've years 10
; a like concession on products OF the Unite,
: States going into Cuba. with a proviso tina
4 the president may, At any time, cancel tn
reduction II 1t is found that the bsnen
: Of the reduction Is going TO others than I
s the planters and sugar growers Anothe
. part Of the plan is TO remove the differ
< entail on sugar and add It to all raw sugar
: except those coming from Cuba. This pro
vision. 1t is claimed. will protect the bee
!, sugar Interests.
The eighteen senators at the conference
q Messrs. Eikins, Scott, Perkins. Bard. Gam
4 BILE. Kittredge, Dietrich, Millard, Burrowi
: Foster. Mitchell. Nelson. Clapp, Burtor
y Kearns. Jones OF Nevada, Mason an
= Pritehard. Senator Pritehard did not
: farther than to say that he was opposed I
the Cuban concession. but would abide by
A republican caucus.
y Want whole ham or None.
1t was stated that the senators in th
conference were. opposed TO any tart
changes. especially OF the pieeemeal char
Aeter, but that II any changes we're to b
d made they thought that the whole tart
J. should be revised.
1t was determined that the utmost cor