The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-11
NO PLAIN SAILING FOR
RECIPROCITY TREATY
Fight on Differential Com
ing in the House.
DEMOCRATS ON WAR PATH
Michigan Delegation and Other Insur-
gent Republicans May Vote Against
the Five-Year Clause.


clear sailing for the reciprocity measure
in the House. Although no formal con-
ference has been held. the word has
been passed down the line among the
Democrats TO stand for an amendment
TO remove the differential on refined SUI
gar. and also for an amendment to
eliminate the five-year clause in the
treaty. which pre- -ides that there shall
be no change ma ie In the duty on Gu
ban sugar within that period.
The Democrats voted solidly in the
last Congress to remove the differential.
and with the votes of thirty-odd Repub-
lican insurgents were able to attach a
provision to the Cuban bill which caused
it TO fail to become a law. In order to
be consistent they will be obliged to
support such an amendment again.
Helpless by Themselves.
OF course. the Democrats can do moth
/ ing by themselves, and they cannot rely
upon the aid of all the Republicans who
/ Joined with them last year Many Of
the Republicans are not in the present
/ Congress. and others have submitted to
the Presidents policy. But seventeen
/ Republican votes added to the solid
Democratic vote would be sufficient to
pass such an amendment
Several OF the Michigan members are
disposed to favor anything which will
/ defeat the reciprocity measure. They
have a large number OF sugar beet
/ growers within their respective districts.
and their continuance in Congress de-
pends upon their action in this matter.
The Michigan delegation met yesterday
/ ard discussed the matter for several
hours, but came TO no decision. Another
meeting Will probably be held his after
noon. A majority OF the delegation is in
favor OF allowing the measure to go
through. but it is their desire TO have
/ the delegation act as a unit upon the
preston.
Lucking Favors Bill.
The only Democratic member from
Michigan. Mr. Lucking. is in favor OF
Cuban reciprocity. but Will vote with his
party to remove the dif1erentiaL AS yet
there have been Nc overtures made by
I either the Democrats or the beet sugar
! Republicans looking toward a renewal
/ OF the old alliance, but the Democrats
are hopeful that ti-ere may be enough
Republicans TO join with them to pass
4 such an amendment. Should there be,
/ the situation will become complicated.
/ Republican leaders, however. declare
/ that there is little or no doubt OF the
passage of the measure. by practically
/ the entire Republican majority
majority of the Democrats are also
in favor OF Cuban reciprocity. but they
also want TO remove the diferentiaI on
refined sugar, and to eliminate the five
year clause.
The beet sugar men are not DESTROYS
OF removing the d IerentiaI, and II they
vote for II their only purpose will be TO
! defeat the legislation. For this reason
pressure is being brought to bear upon
them to swing them in line for the Presi-
ldent's policy
Plan of Procedure.
! The plan is 20 have the new Cuban
} bill reported by the House Committee
/ on Ways and Means. accompanied by a
rule from the Committee on Rules.
which viii prohibit the introduction Of
any amendment to the Ways and Means
Committee BILL Even those Republicans
who would vote to abolish the differen-
1 tial. should an amendment TO that ef-
/ feet be offered. win sustain the rule
from the Committee on Rules.
Thus. the question OF abolishing the
/ diferential viii perhaps never become
a vital one. and the Cuban bill will be
passed by a practically unanimous vote,
/ for even the Democrats VIII support II,
II the opportunity to amend it is denied
/ them
/ Representative Grosvenor OF Ohio. Of
/ the Ways and Means and Rules Com
mittecs. believes the passing Of the bill
/ is assured.
Representative Dick Of Ohio. who OPP
I posed reciprocity last year, is still
strong in his opposition TO it, He says
/ he viii support an anne ndmeIt TO abol-
ish the dlRerentiaI If opportunity is pre-
sented In his opinion. the bill will be
| talked 20 death" in the Senate.
/ The general belief Of the leaders is
that, should the differential be abol-
] ished, Il would amount 10 an amendment
/ Of the treaty, and that. therefore, new
negotiations with Cuba would have 20 be