The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
SENATORS DISCUSS THE
CUBAN RECIPROCITY BILL
Messrs. Foster, Fairbanks, Depew
and Clay Participate in the
Debate.
CAUCUS OF DEMOCRATS
Who Practically Agreed Not to
Offer Any Amendments to
the Measure.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.--The Senate
spent more than five hours to-day discuss
ing the Cuban reciprocity bill. Mr.. Foster.
OF Louisiana, led the discussion and occu-
pied the greater part OF the day with ar
gument in opposition to the measure. He
declared that it's passage would greatly in
Jure. If it did not destroy. the sugar-grow-
ing industry of the United States. Cuba
is competent within the life of the treaty"
said Mr.. Foster. ito make all the sugar
this country needs. 1t can make sugar
cheaper. and with the reduction which is
made in this treaty IL means the slow but
sure death OF the beet industry and the
certain death of the cane industry of my
State. All the development in this country
will be checked. We will never be able to
get capital to invest in beet sugar plants
in the West in face of the showing that
can be made in Cuba"
Mr.. Fairbanks inquired the relative cost
Of the production of sugar in Cuba, and OF
both cane and beet sugar In the United
States. Mr. Foster gave the cost Of sugar
production in Cuba at from cent to IA
cents per pound. While he said the cost
OF cane sugar production in Louisiana is
estimated at cents pound and of beet
sugar IN the West at slight increase over
this figure. Mr.. Fairbanks then asked if
the sugar industry of Cuba would not in
time inundate the industry of this country
even without this tariff reduction.
Mr.. Foster replied that probably would
be the result. but that the passage of this
bill would only hasten it.
Senator Depew, on the Republican side.
and Senator Clay, on the Democratic side,
supported the bill as a measure in the in
terest Of both countries. Senator Clay said
that he accepted as a provision for the re-
duction or the duties on the part or both
countries.
The Democratic senator's in caucus to-
day practically reached the conclusion not
to offer any amendments to the Cuban
reciprocity bill when IL is voted on in the
Senate next Wednesday. The caucus was
called at the instance of the Democratic
steering committee, which presented rec
concentration against amendments on the
ground that II offered they and not the bill
cussion. The caucus was an animated
one and was sharply divided on the
point at issue, some OF the senators
contending that numerous amendments
should be presented and others holding out
against any effort whatever TO change the
character of the bill and standing for a
straight party vote against IL. The caucus
continued until after the beginning Of the
regular daily session of the Senate and in
the end the committee won its point. Ii
adjourned to meet next Monday for the
purpose of discussing the general policy to
be pursued by the Democrats during the
present session with reference TO the stu
alton In Panama, the Postofnce department
records, etc.
Senator Quarles to-day introduced bill
to further define the duties and powers OF
the Interstate-commerce Commission. II
provides that an order made by the COM
mission after a hearing and determination
had on any petition, declaring any. existing
rates for the transportation OF persons OF
property TO be unjustly discriminating oI
unreasonable, and declaring what rates
would be Just, shall become operative and
be observed within thirty days after notice.
II provides also that in the event of neglect
TO obey any order OF the commission, per-
Torrance thereof may be summarily en-
forced by writ OF injunction or other proper
process besides a penalty of 5000 for each
day Of the continuance Of such violation.
The President sent to the Senate the fol-
lowing nomina tons: Assistant treasurer
Thomas j. Atkins. OF st. Louis, Mo-; COL
lector of internal revenue, Edward Z. But
ler for the Second district of Tennessee
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo-
Tertiary to Panama. William 1. Buchanan
of New York.