The evening times., 1897-05-25
THE TARIFF DEBATE BEGUN
Continued from First Page.

reached the conclusion that the essential
elements OF a certainty Of revenue and au
adjustment OF rates that would lessen
Determinations, could best be secured by
the adoption OF compound rates.
We are satisfied from the statements
submitted to us by the appraising and
executive officers in New York that there
will be no difficulty in the administration
OF al v2lorem rates on sugar in the limited
form which we have recommended, and
no danger of undervaluations to any ap-
preciable extent. With compound rates,
one method of assessing duties acts as
check upon the other, and we believe there
can he no valid objection, from public
standpoint, to the mixed specific and ad
yalorem rates suggested.
Mir. Aldrich's specific plea for the sugar
trust Is contained in the following para
graphs:
More than 80 per cent of the sugar which
isimported into the United $ tateS has here
tofore been imported in raw condition,
anG has been refined here, and it is there
fore OF Importance that we should consider
carefully TIE effect which the schedule
proposed by the Sen,te committee would
lave upon the refining industry | assume
that L will be admitted in all quarters that
this industry is entitled to fair treatment
The fact that the business, as conducted
today, is ia comparatively few hands, and
that a large portion of it is carried by one
company, while il furnishes a reason for
unusual care in the adjustment Of rates in
order that no undue or unfair advantage
snail be given To sugar refineTs. should not
be allowed to furnish preteXt in the prep
aration OF tariff bill constructed upon
protective lines for the deSt truction OF
great industry
In other words, it is important from
every economic standpoint that we make
it possible that the refining Of sugar can
be successfully carried on here, and that the
business should not bc turned over by legis-
lativc Determinations to German refjners.
1T is therefore incumbent upon Us To
show that no protection is given the refin-
ing interests by the proposed schedule be-
yond that which is adequate for the con
tinued existence of the business ia the
United states. For this purpose L have
prepared a series OF statements. which l
submit for your consideration, showing the
actual difference between the rates i'm
posed by the schedule upon raw sugars or
different grades. and refined
Concerning the Hawaiian treaty, in its
bearing upon the sugar question, MI. Al
dIiCh said that the committee viii also
prepare and present an amendment to
the House provisions in regard to the Ha-
waiian treaty. The existing commercial
treaty between the United states and the
government Of these islands provides for
the free admission Of raw sugars, the prod
uct Of the islands, into the United States
II this treaty should remain in force, it
would result in giving a bounty to the Ha-
waiian sugar producers amounting to more
than s.. 900 900, per annun. 1t was CON
templated. when the original treaty wIs
made, or when it was extended, that any
possible advantage of this kind could ever
result from it's terms to the people OF the
Sandwich Islands
The reciprocity features Of the bill is
thus referred to-
At the time the bill was reported from
the committee l stated in their behalf that
an amendment looking to the more rapid
development and extension of reciprocal
trade with foreign countries would bc re-
ported from the committee at later day
The committee have not yet found the
opportunity to prepare such an amend
neut. Il seemed to them that the pro-
visions of the House bill III this reSpeCtw ould
not prove effective. 1t is the purpose Of
the committee to prepare provision which
viii enable the Government OF the United
States, within certain fixed limits and
without further legislative action. to enter
upon arrangements or to negotiate reci-
procity treaties looking to an extension
Of our foreign trade.
In suggesting the striking out Of the
House provision, the committee had no
purpose of abandoning the Republican reci-
procity policy. They hope to be able 70
suggest such provisions as Will enable
our Government to greatly extend that
policy and make its adoption permau mt.