Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-19
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
General Republican Conference Adopts
the Payne Proposition.

Washington, March 1S.-The Repub-
lican members of the House of Repre-
sentatives met in general conference,
tonight to consider the Cuban tariff
question, this being the fifth gathering
held for the purpose of reconciling the
differences existing on this subject.
About 40 members were in attendance,
including Speaker Henderson, Chair
man Payne of the ways and means
committee, and others who have fig
urcd prominently in the contest Rep
resentative Overstreet, Indiana, pro-
posed at the outset that the discussion
be limited to an hour on each side, say
ing the arguments on the subject had
been thoroughly exhausted and the
time had come for action. This view
was approved by the conference, with
a reservation that the agreement did
not necessitate vote at the close of
the two hours.
Chairman Payne made statement
of the difficulties encountered by the
|arbitrating committee. He frankly
confessed that nothing had been ac-
complished, as each side had adhered
firmly to its original position. Mr.
Payne said the position of the ways
and means committee now was in effect
that presented by Mr.. Sibley at the last
conference, namely, for 20 per cent.
reciprocity limited to December, 1908.
Representative Dick of Ohio. one Of
the conferees, of the element opposing
the ways and means committee, con-
CURED with Mr.. Payne on the matter
of progress. At the same time Mr..
Dick said he was hopeful of an ulti-
mate agreement, and urged deliberate
action on it in order that harmony
might prevail.
Mr.. Dick closed by presenting reso-
buttons representing the views of the
conferees who had represented the ele-
ment opposing the ways and means
committee as follows:
Resolved, that it is the sense of this
conference that the committee on WAYS
and means be directed to report to the
House a bill for the relief of Cuba sub
stantially embodying the following pro-
Visions:
That the President be authorized to en-
ter into commercial agreement with
the government of Cuba when the same
shall have been organized and establish
ed, whereby on account of the relations
which have existed between the United
States and Cuba since 1898, and in consid-
shall be satisfactory to the President on
goods. wares and merchandise, the
growth or product of the United States
imported into Cuba he shall agree to pay
each year for three years to the govern
ment of Cuba a sum of money equiva-
lent to 20 per centum of the duties col
lected and paid into the treasury of the
United States on goods, wares and mer-
chandise the growth or the product of
the island of Cuba imported into this
country.
In support of these resolutions Mr. Dick
submitted the following formal statement
for his side:
Representative Hepburn of Iowa, de-
clared that whereas Cuba's prospective
production was 100000 tons of sugar a
year, by imposing our immigration laws
upon them and limiting the labor re-
quired for the full development of their
resources we were restricting their pro-
ductive capacity to 500, 600 tons annually.
The speaking now became general. MIR.
Boutell Gid, Mr.. Subley pal Morris
tMinn.) Mr.. Littlefield Me- and Mr..
Burke Is. d., speaking on various phases
of the question. Mr.. Payne brought the
discussion to close with an earnest plea
for the support Of the reciprocity propo
sition.
vote on the substitute offered BIZ Mr.
Dick earlier i'm the evening was defeated
81 to -. After this vote quite number
Continued on page %