Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-22
AGREED ON. ONE BILL
River and Harbor Appropria-
 tion Passed.
4 NEW RECIPROCITY MEASURE
Payments on a Descending Scale Fos Five Years to the Government of Cuba Provided by substi-
 tute For House Bill.


 Five Years to the Government of
 Cuba Provided by substi-
 tute For House Bill.
 WASHINGTON, April 22.-Without word of discussion of the merits or the measure the senate yesterday pass ed the river and harbor bill, carrying in appropriations about $70 100000. So thoroughly had the bill been consid- cred by the commerce committee that every senator was content that it should pass as reported from the com mittee.
 As no senator was prepared to begin debate on the Philippine government bill the measure after a few minutes of informal discussion went over until today.
 Senator Dietrich introduced bill to authorize the president to enter into reciprocal agreement with the perma- nent government of Cuba respecting trade between the United States and Cuba. It provides that when such per manent government is established the president is authorized to enter into such agreement with Cuba whereby the United States binds itself for the period of five years to pay to the gov ernment of Cuba:
 At tae end Of each quarter of the fis- cal year ending June 30, 1903, a sum of money equal to 40 per cent of the amount of import duties collected dur ing said quarter on articles the growth and product of Cuba coming directly to the United States ill American or Cuban bottoms; for the fiscal year end ing June 30, 1904, 30 per cent on such articles so carried; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1905, 25 per cent; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906, 20 per cent of such duties, and for each quarter of the fiscal year ending June 30. 1907, 15 per cent of such du- ties. On the importation of any arti- cle produced in Cuba upon which a bounty has been paid the amount of such bounty shall be deducted from the amount which otherwise would be paid by the United States, which sums Cuba is to obligate herself to devote to permanent harbor, sanitation and other public improvements and the maintenance of a system of schools.
 As q consideration for which the United States is to pay the sums speci- fled the bill provides that Cuba during the existence of the reciprocal agree ment Is to admit all articles from the United States subject to the payment at end of each quarter of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, of 75 per cent of the import duties and other charges imposed upon like articles im- ported into Cuba from any other coun- try; 1904. 80 per cent; 1905, S5 per cent; 1906, 90 per cent, and 1907, 90 per cent.
 The bill provides that the agreement may be abrogated by mutual consent or by withdrawal therefrom of either party upon reasonable notice.
 The senator said the bill is intended as a substitute for the house Cuban reciprocity bill
 The house entered on consideration of the Military academy appropriation bill. In addition to the regular items 1t contains provision for the extensive improvement of the grounds and build Ings at West Point. These improve ments are to cost St. .500,O ,O00, of which a little over S3, 100000 is appropriated in the bill Twenty-four of the thirty pages of the bill were completed.