New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-25
THE SENATE'S CUBAN BILL.
TASK OF REPUBLICAN LEADERS LESS
DIFFICULT THAN WAS EXPECTED.
AN INFORMAL CONFERENCE HELD PRE-
LIMINARY TO FRAMING A STRAIGHT
RECIPROCITY MEASURE
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

lBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNEl
| Washington. April 24.-At informal confer
| ence this morning of the Republican members
of the Senate Committee on Relations with
| Cuba the only absentee being Mr.. Spooner of
! wisconsin, it was plainly shown that the task
| or bringing out of that committee a straight
reciprocity bill is not difficult as even some
OF the supporters of the administrations Cuban
| policy heretofore had thought. The members
! present were Mr.. Plat. of Connecticut; Mr..
Aldrich, of Rhode Island Mr.. CulIom of IlIi-
nois; Mr.. Mcmillan. of Michigan; Mr. Deboe of
kentucky and Mr.. Burnham. of New Hamp-
shire The meeting executive. and those
present were requested to say nothing about the
proceedings. but it was learned that aside from
general discussion of the subject nothing was
done Tomorrow morning a regular meeting
OF the committee will be held. when the reciproc-
1ty question will be taken up formally and dis
cuSSed IN detail. Whether or not bill will be
decided upon Tomorrow is now doubtful. 1t
is expected that the Democratic members will
resist to the limit any and every proposition that
may be submitted by the majority. The minor
ity members are Mr.. Teller. of Colorado: Mr.
Money, of Mississippi; Mr. TaIiaferro of Flor
ida. and Mr.. Simmons of North Carolina
1T is well understood that the Democrats will
insist that the Teller resolution for an investi-
CATION of the Sugar Trust have precedence over
all reciprocity legislation, and that the Repub-
licans will resist this with a view to expediting
final and definite action at this session of Con-
gress. Mr.. Teller's resolution is based on the
allegation that the Sugar Trust has purchased
all or most of this years crop of raw sugar In
Cuba, and that, therefore. the benefit of any
tariff arrangement that may be made with the
island will go almost entirely to the trust. As
there are no facts statistics to sustain a scfn-
tina or this allegation, it is considered highly
probable that the majority of the committee,
ipyn rir,yf ~ Ohio
VIII nevertheless urge the adoption of substi-
tute bill for the House measure with the pro-
viso that a rigid investigation of Mr. Teers
accusation be made after a reciprocity bill Is
enacted at this session. Then if the inyestiga-
ton discloses the condition alleged by Senator
leier the necessary steps to prevent the diver
sion of the tariff reduction benefits from the
Cuban planter to the trust be taken both
at Washington and Havana the Cuban Con-
gress In the mean time becoming factor in
the situation.
THE SUGAR DETRIMENTAL QUESTION.
At to-day's informal conference the question
of the amount of concession did not cut con-
spcuous figure This phase of the subject is re-
garded generally by the Republican leaders as a
mere detail that will be adjusted in due time
The question of the House proposition for the
abolition of the dfferential was, however freely
discussed. the consensus OF opinion seeming to
be that the tariff revision issue involved in this
matter should not now be precipitated on Con-
plenty of time to consider all these questions
without menacing any interest of the country by
delaying consideration At the sa me time it is
known that Senator Aldrich heartily favors the
dfferential proposition. to be hedged about with
the provision that this proposed abolition shall .
not apply in any particular TO the countervail-
ing duties now collected bounty fed sugars. (
and his influence in the committee and the Sen
ate may the Senate substitute bill to carry
differential clause similar to that in the House b
bill. This feature would have the political
merit OF putting to the severest the pro-
fesson Of Democratic obstructionists that they
favor this kind of legislation in order curb
the profits and the power of the Sugar Trust. .
1t is not known how any Democrat could OPP
pose the differental proposition after all that {
has been said by their party leaders this .
subject since the Republican insurgents of the J
House made 1t possible for that clause be
injected into the Ways and Means Committees 3
bill
II is not considered likely however. that the
ma ority of the committee will be able to frame
q bill that VIII meet the approval of the minor &
ity in any particular unless IL is for the abOli- ,
ton of the differential Three of the minority
-Messrs. Teller Money and Taliaferro-have .
declared their intention to fight reciprocity to .
the bitter end have also other Democratic {
Senators. notably Mr. Bailey, of Texas, who is ,
striving to capture the leadership of his party :
be fore Mr.. German the Senate to
sumo his old place Hence it is evident that the I
Republicans will have TO frame bill that Will /
enlist the full strength OF their side of the /
chamber, and that will be regarded and treated /
as n strict party measure. 1t Is not doubted /
that this can be done, and that bill so framed .
can be put through within two months Nor is /
II doubted that the measure VIII provide Tor /
tariff reduction of at least % per cent, instead /
of the 20 per cent carried by the House bill