The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-15
Tropical Free Trade.


Agriculturist one of the more
l. representative of the weekly
publications devoted to the in
terests of the farm. the various agri-
cultural and producing interests of the
country are greatly disturbed over the
presidents recommendation of free
trade with Puerto Rico and reduc-
ton in duties on all products and man
ufactures from cuba. 1t cites particu-
larly the protest of the American Beet
Sugar Manufacturers association
adopted last month at Omaha, which.
after explaining the large possibilities
of the beet sugar industry in this coun-
try. asserted that 1.-The importation of
cane sugar from tropical islands, un-
der principles Of reciprocity, or free
sugar or under greatly reduced duties
awarded because they are insular de-
Tendencies of the United States. would
bring into competition product raised
by coolie and debased labor that would
be ruinous to the American farmer
and to the production Of the sugar in
the United States" and resolved that
the present tariff duties must not be
disturbed.
1t also points out that at the Omaha
convention representatives were pres
ent from the sugar cane plantations of
the south and from the tobacco grow
ers of the New England, Middle and
Southern states, and these. in conjunc-
tion with the beet sugar men, took
steps preliminary to the establishment
of League of Domestic Producers the
purpose of which, as officially set forth,
is to provide a medium through which
the various interests in the production,
manufacture and sale of domestic su-
gar, cigar leaf, tobacco, cigars, fruits,
vegetables, cotton, rice. etc, produced
within the United States may cooper
ate for their mutual benefit. The i'm
mediate object sought by the League
of Domestic Producers is to prevent
any unjust legislation by congress
| against the interests of domestic pro-
| ducers or laborers for the benefit of
these Industries in the tropics. and to
prevent further favors to refiners in
this country of imported raw sugars.
In brief our purpose is to put into
| the pockets of the farmers. capitalists
| and laborers for these United States
the $1OO 900 now exported annually
to pay for imported sugar, to pro-
mote the continued prosperity and
successful development in these United
! States of cigar leaf tobacco culture,
cigar manufacture, the culture of semi
| Of
| tables for the early markets, rice cul-
ture, etc, thus maintaining profitable
home industries for vast numbers of
| our people and taxpayers, and for
many millions of capital" TO this end
the league demands:
!. That the United States senate de-
| feat the pending treaties of reciprocity
with the British West Indies, whereby
| sugar and other products from those
| islands are to be admitted into the Uni
ted States at IA reduction in tariff rates
.. We oppose the recommendation that
| Cuban sugar, tobacco, cigars, etc, be
| admitted at a like reduction in duty. We
| also oppose the recommendation that
Puerto Rican products be admitted 10 this
| market duty free.
! 3. We regard the proposed reduction In
| duties ON sugar, wool and hides import
| ed from Argentina as destined to serious
| ly injure domestic agriculture.
| !. That all sugar, tobacco, cigars and
| other products which compete with the
products of our American farmers and
manufacturers, continue to pay the fun
! rate of duties irrespective of whether
| such sugar anu other produce comes from
| Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Philippines or
| other nar,s of the world.
! .. That thus the labor and capital in
vested In our domestic agricultural and
allied manufacturing industries may have
a fair chance against the cOclie labor and
monopolies of the tropics.
| 9. Agriculture and labor have borne the
| brunt of protection for these many years,
have earned the right to be themselves
| equally well treated now that they have
to face crisis, and nothing less Will
satisfy them.
In consequence of this pressure,
which has already made itself felt at
Washington, the endeavor Is being
made by leaders i'm the administration
TO find constitutional warrant for set
ting up, first with respect to Puerto
Rico and later for the Philippines. u
tariff system different from that In
operation throughout the republic,
proper :the purpose being. If such war
rant can be found. to provide insular
duties preferential toward the pro-
duets of the United States, but only
In part reciprocated--a kind Of Jug
handled arrangement. with the new
possessions more likely to lose than
to gain. Instead OF taking a bold po-
sition in affirmation Of the justice Of
the presidents recommendation and
Lhewinc strictly to the line OF our lars-