Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-15
COMPROMISE TALK IN THE AIR
Speaker Cannon and Hir Friends
Not Inclined 90 Enter
tain 1t.

WASHINGTON, Jan. H-Rumors OF a
compromise between the republican leaders
and the republican opponents of the Phil
ippine tariff bill were discussed today by
members Of congress, but nothing like n
definite proposition has been made and con-
sequently no understanding has been
reached. One of the beet sugar men has
suggested to Chairman Payne and Mr. Dali
zell that a compromise might be offered
which would prohibit the importation of
more than certain amount OF sugar and
tobacco from the Philippines. This was not
seriously considered by these members of
the ways and means committee. as they
are confident of sufficient votes to pass the
bill without material amendment. There
was just enough in the suggestion, how
ever. to cause discussion among members
OF the house who are very much interested
in present conditions. II is understood
that no proposition for a compromise will
be considered by the house members un-
less the statehood bill is also made a part
OF the bill. A combination has been formed
by the opponents of the Philippine bill and
the opponents of the joint statehood bill,
and the compromise affecting one includes
the other. which means that the leaders
will not agree TO a modification OF the
terests unless those who seek such a COM
promise abandon the fight against the state
hood bill. Speaker Cannon and his sup
porters feel that they are sure of the Phil
ippine bill and that IT would be useless to
compromise on that unless some advanta ge
could be gained with the other measure
| about which there is so much doubt. but
which they believe they will eventually be
able to pass without amendment
The suggestion for compromise on the
Philippine bill was made on the ground thai
the republicans would be able to pass a
| modified measure with republican votes, as
| II Is believed the democrats would oppose
, any amendment looking to any restriction
on the importation of any products of the
| islands, but the house leaders do not agree
| that the Philippine bill will need democratic
| votes in it's present form. They think there
| are enough republicans for the bill to Sc
cure a majority, Nor do they believe thai
the insurgents on the statehood bill have
| votes enough to defeat the rule, which Il
proposed to prevent amendments to thai
measure. They contend also that the in
surgents will grow weaker instead oi
| stronger.
There have been some conferences among
/ the statehood insurgents today and one OF
!
sign OF weakening among them and ex
pressed confidence of success. One sugges
ton Of a compromise on this bill has beer
made-to provide for the referendum. which
would allow the voters OF Arizona and New
Mexico to decide whether or not there will
be joint statehood. This was rejected BY
the house leaders as untenable and a radi
cal departure from the position of the hous'
| in the last congress and the desire of {
majority of the republican majority in th
present house. The desire for compromise
as stated by prominent republican mem
Der who has not been active on either side
either on the Philippine bill or the state
hood bill, was because of the strained rela
tions between the repubEcaPs and the feel
| Ing which is becoming more bitter as tn
fight goes on. At the same time he die
not see much hope of any compromise II
| the present time.