New-York tribune., 1901-12-23

Total. .....-...........22I9.s .s47 10
Fron7 the above table 1t will be seen that of
the sugar consumed about u per cent is Of do
raestic production. including cane, maple and
beet and the rate Of domestic increase Of pro-
duction does not by any means keep pace with
the increase Of consumption. so that at all events
the United States must for many years to come
import from s. TO 90 per cent OF the sugar con-
sUu1ed.
The cane production OF the United States will
not be greatly increased. because climatic con-
ditions limit the area, within which cane can be
grown and it would be necessary 70 double the
present number of beet sugar factories to meet
the increased consumption for a single year.
Charles T. Saylor. special agent, IN his report
10 the Secretary OF Agriculture on the Progress
q the Beet Sugar Industry in the United States
il 1900 states:
While CAPITALISTS as we'll as farmers manifest
deep interest in the future Of the sugar in
dustrv they have been doubt somewhat re-
strained bv the uncertainty attending the future
OF our new island dependencies, which are them
selves largely sugar producers. On this subject
little need be said. The writer speaks not only
as the result of careful consideration Of all the
available data on the sugar industry IN these
dependencies. but the result Of personal visits
TO Hawaii and Porto Rico, and has no hesitation
n asserting that were the opportunities for de-
veloping this industry in these new territories
70 be extended 10 their utmost capacity there
would be nothing in this to discourage our DO
nestle sugar producers. For years our domestic
sugar consumption has been increasing even
more rapidly than the increase Of popula-
ton until during the past fiscal year our
imports Of sugar attained the enormous
total Of nearly two million tons For gen.
the people Of the United States 10 import con-
siderable sugar over and above what we are
likely to produce, and Of this importation the
combined production OF our new island oepend-
encies will not more than supply part and, let
US hope, q large part
In view Of the foregoing, therefore the beet
sugar producers have no reason to fear that
their home market will be overstocked for many
years to come.
The average ad valorem rate Of duty collected
on sugar imported into the United States IN 1899
was * a. per cent. while for the year 1900 it
was II 81 per cent A careful estimate Of the
average rate of duties paid upon Cuban sugar
;pon its importation into the United States fixes
The tax At bout one and one-haIf cents q pound.
Now aside from all questions Of equity, our
stv 10 Cuba and the protection which should
granted to home industries. an ad valorem
Of 75 per cent upon an article OF prime
-.cessity is high. higher than II ought to be.
Al industry that live only with the aid or
such 2 degree Of protection is an exotic whose
stimulation may cause in the future even as 1t
Is now causing in Europe. serious economic diff
culties. The 100000 Of sugar consumers in
the United States who are not producers have
some rights which the tariff should respect.
Behind a wall T5 per cent high the United
States is in, a splendid position to grant a con-
cession 10 Cuba, which while not endangering
our home industry. would allow Cuban planters
70 live and in return for which they would no
doubt be willing grant to the United States
tariff concessions which would secure the prac-
teal control of her import trade.
It is suggested that TO Cuba be granted a
preferential rate on her sugar amounting to %
per cent Of the present tariff rates This would
stin protect American sugar with q duty of
about three-fourths OF a cent pound and
Cuban sugar in place of paying S .015 for the
privilege Of selling in the American market.
would then have 10 pay -001J, and the Cuban
question would soon be settled
The sugar imported from Cuba in 1900 was
valued at S1S 243 635 upon which the duty, cal
culated at - per cent ad Yalorem S13.-
6S2,121. A reduction Of 30 per cent would. of
course. divide this sum by two resulting in a
loss of revenue to the United States in the sum
Of Sc S41, ,363.
Now, in return for this what could the United
States ask and what could Cuba grant, For,
after all is said. the negotiation of reciprocity
treaties is matter of business and not of sent-
nent In return for reduction OF % per cent
of the duties on sugar and some concession 10
egbacco practically all that Cuba exports TO
re United States. this country could. no doubt.
ccure n preferential rate OF - per cent on the
entire Cuban tariff schedule
Cuba took from the United States in 1900
SO. .226 ,sts worth Of domestic merchandise. As
Stunning that the average ad valorem rate was
Ia from the