The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-11-15
SUGAR VS.. RICE.
Two interests Clash on the Cuban Re-
ciprOcity Question.
AN EFFORT AT PEACE.
But II Is Not Probable That II Will
Succeed.
BOTH TO GO TO CONGRESS.
Sugar Growers Against Reciprocity, Rice
Men Want II.
BREAK ONE AND MAKE THE OTHER ONE
II Their Claims OF the Effect Of Re
duotion in Duties Are Given
Full WEIGHT.
9TH TO 60 TO CONGRESS.
Sugar Growers Against Reciprocity, Rice
Men Want II.
BREAK ONE AND MAKE THE OTHER ONE
ispcclal 10 The post)

New Orleans, November 1.-THE sugar
and rice interests OF Louisiana and Texas
have FLASHED over the question Of reciproc
ity with Cuba. The sugar producers are
bitterly opposed to any treaty with the
new Cuban republic which viii admit
sugar imported into the United states
from the island at a lower duty than now
paid, while the rice printers, rice mills,
brokers and exporters eemaud reciprocity
agreement that viii enable them to supply
tho Cubans with all the rice they import.
The two principal products of Cuba are
sugar and tobacco, ana Il reciprocity treaty
between the United States and the new
GoNctnmcnt would necessarily mean re-
urCton OF the tdliu ON those articles. Une
sugar growers assert that this smells ruin
Tor their industry, and they ARE preparing
10 night IL L. the last ditch. The rice men
claim that Il reciprocity agreement would
enable the American rice producers TO ub'
solutcly control the Cuban rice trade; that
the rice industry is as much entitled to
government favors as the sugar planters;
that the tuhans are now Importing about
countries and that If the proposed treaty
is negotiated IL would practically double
the rice crop Of Louisiana and Texas.
The sugar growers win send strong
lobby to Washington when congress as
sembles to oppose any legislation looking
toward reduction OF the tariff on sugar
and TO antagonizc the proposed treaty with
Cuba. They expect to he Joined by the
duccrs ana the combination AZ Interest
viii make common cause against any recog'
milton of the claims of the Cubans for
free trade or a lower tariff.
The rice men, Il is said, will also take
their fight 10 Washington and committee
of rice planters, millerS and exporters Will
probably lie appointed TO present their
claims to President Roosevelt and to the
members of congress.
The New Orleans hoard of trade Ia max
ing an eflort 10 patch up truce between
the conflicting interests, but 1t is extreme
~ doubtful II tho effort will prove success
full.
A meeting Of the leading sugar planters
semble at the board Of trade rooms for
the purpose OF dovlslng n plan for harmony,
hut the rice men do not expect anything 10
be accomplished. The demands OF the
sugar people and the rice producers are ga
possible.
rhc contest over the reciprocity question
has placed some OF the members of tho
Louisiana delegation In congress in nm en-
| barrassing position. They arc anxious ia
| help both the sugar aud rice growers, ana
each interest is 50 large and influential
that they do not wish 10 autaEonze either
side The Louisiana senators and repre-
SeutatiyCs II, congress have been invited TO
attend the harmony meeting at tue
board Of trade and they Will be asked by
the contendng factions to submit plan
satisfactory to both sides.
Mr. Gordon s. Orme. one Of the most
prominent and influential rico men in New
Orleans and leader In the movement for
reciprocity with Cuba, In an interview,
said "a reciprocity agreement with cuba
would be Of immense benefit to the rice
growers of this section. The Cuhans Mt
present import about 100000 bags or
clean rice annually and Of course rs the
population increases, which II Is bound TO
do these hgnres VIII he increased proper
tiountely. The rice now imported by the
Cubnns comes from Bombay and Calcutta,
and is shipped to Bremen. Hamburg, Liver
pool and London aud reshlpped 10 Havana.
There is no reason I'm the world why the
United states should NOT have this trade.
The Cuban dealers would readily buy rice
from our exporters If 1t was not for the
present prohibitlye tariir, mud # this IS re-
duccd or removed millions OF dollars now
going Ia foreign coup'rts would come 20
| the United states. our experience in snip
| ming rice to Porto Rico proves what we
con do in Cuba, The Louisiana ana Texas
| rice Is now such a fnvoritc with the Porto
| Ricans HAT they reilly prefer II 70 thc
| home grown rice. The same thing VIII
! hnppcn in Cuba II the tarln barriers are
! lowered or removed.