The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-25
THE TARIFF.



nearby countries and sugars of all grades
from distant countries would coniine
American purchasers 70 beet sugar and 70
centrifugals from points nearest the
United States and send all other sugars To
free markets like Canada and England.
Would Add TO the Cost to Consumers.
This policy would undoubtedly increase
the price OF sugars, from nearby countries
and necessarily add so the cost OF sugars,
20 consumers in the United states. These
are the reasons which led our committee
20 suggest an ad valorem duty of 80 per
cent on all sugars testing net above 81
degrees. But this rate. can never apply To
but a very small portion Of the sugars Of
the world as from obvious causes, the pro-
portional amount OF such sugar is con-
stantly decreasing.
s- The committee after full considera-
tion. reached the conclusion that the es-
sential elements OF a certainty OF revenue
and an adjustment OF rates that would
lessen determinations could best be Sc
cured 10y the adoption Of compound rates
The COMMITTEES, therefore. adopted the
suggestion which Is contained in the bill
wo have reported Co the Senate OF impos-
ing specific duty which is equivalent to
about 40 per cent. ad yalorem with an
additional duty of 80 per centuIn ad
val'rem duty on all sugars from 81 de-
grees Co 100 degrees, with thirteen
hundredths OF u cent per pound additional
on all sugars above No rs Dutch standard
in color and on refined sugars
DifIerential Rates
Considering tho effect of tho proposed
schedule OF the Senate committee upon
the refining industry, Mr.. Aldrich con.
tinued: Ii is incumbent upon us TO show
that no protection is given the refining
interests by the proposed schedule beyond
that which IL adequate for the continued
existence OF the business in the United
States Senator Aldrich then submitted
table, showing that the differential
between raw and-retiped susaFs-by- the
Senate proposition varies from o. TO
l5 40 cents per 100 pounds while sthe diff
ferential In the House bill varies from
II 20 to H. 30 cents per 100 pounds. The
table shows that the differental between
granulated sugar and 96 degree oentrifu-
gals, this being by far the most import
ant class of raw sugars, and in amount
TO two-thirds of the total imports of raw
cane, is 8, 81 cents per 100 pounds; on %
degree centrifugals the diiferential is TO-
cents; on 50 degrees Aiuscoavado the
differential is II. cents.
In order TO show that :the committees
proposition does not give undue advan-
tage TO beet sugars az compared with cane
sugars, a statement was submitted by the
senator 90 show the differential between
with the ditferential of the same sugars
based on the rates imposed by the exist
ing law
He also furnished statements showing
the differentials under varying values OF
sugar and resumed his argument show
ing that the German refiner received a
net bounty of twenty eight -hundredths OF
cent per pound, thus enabling him to
sell bis product at "A less price than the
American refiner has TO pay for 96 degree
centrifugals.
A Reply to Wilson.
He then replied at length to a state
ment by Hon. William j.. Wilson, IN
which the latter estimated the rates i'm
posed by the Senate committees PROPOSE
tion. Continuing Mr.. Aldrich stated
that the adoption of the bounty provis
ions Of the Senate and House proposals or
similar provisions seems to be neces-
sty ii we are TO develop the beet sugar
industry in the United States. Other
wise IL will he possible for any foreign
country, by extension of its Dounties, to
neutralize entirely the extent of our pro-
tecttye duties.
In considering the important question
whether the differential proposed by
either the House or tho Senate bill is
greater than it should be, Mr.. Aldrich
said, we are bound in fairness, to take
into consideration existing conditions
and the changes which have taken place
since the enactment of the act OF 1871.
When that measure was under discussion
in the Senate the difference in the foreign
value of German granulated sugar and
raw beets, IS per cent. analysis, was fifty.
seven .hundrcdths uf a cent per pound.
In March tho difference was thirty three
hundredtbs OF cent per pound. The
importations of refined sugars into the
United States amounted in 1891 TO 4, 000-
IL faaN
The importations in 1896 amounted 10
49, 00o 900 pounds, while the importa-
tions in the single month of April, 1891
amounted TO nearly 81, 0OO, 600 pounds.
What German Refincrs Have Done.
German reilners have driven the sugar
refining Industry OF Great Britain almost
entirely out Of existence They are,
as | have already stated, invading every
sugar market OF the world with their prod
uct. Most of the German granulatod
sugar impOrtod,is is tho result of continu-
ous process of raiining. For months raw
boot sugar and German granulatcd have
sold ON an absolute parity of value. IL
we assume tho cost of refined sugar i'm the
United states 10 be approximately one
half cont per pound and If German re-
fined sugar can he sold without loss on
tho snms basis with German raw sugar
It must be evident that the differentials
are not only not excessive, but they are
quito lil,cly In the near future 20 prove
Inadequate to secure tho continuance OF
the business of sugar refining in the
Cpitod States.
II the importation Of German granu-
lated sugar should increase Mt the same
ratio that they have since the act Of 1894
was adopted the Germans will certainly
secure at AN early day largo part of the
American market The protection afforded
by the diffurentials proposed by the sem
ate committee, 10 Is believed. are not only
less by percentage, but less with reference
60 the actual requirements of the indus
try, than that afforded by the rates Inn
posed upon any other important product
by the terms of the bill.
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