Evening star., 1901-07-05
CUBAN PRODUCTS
Tariff Concessions to Them a Serious
Question for Congress.
REPRESENTATIVE DALZELL'S VIEWS
Some Difficulties in the Way
Pointed Out.
GENERAL REVISION

Tariff concessions to Cuban products
will be the next serious question with
which Congress will have to deal,'' said
Representative Dalzell of Pennsylvania In
conversation with Star reporter today.
Mr.. Dalzell Is the ranking republican men,
Der Of the ways and means committee aft
er the chairman, and one of the principal
exponents Of the high protective tariff.
1T will be very important question"
he continued. ''and will have to be dealt
with broadly. I cannot and no one can at
this time map out the probable course of
procedure. When the Cubans have formed
permanent government, we must expect
that they will come with demands for con-
sideration for their products in our mar
kets. Undoubtedly they will offer reel
procal advantageous propositions but
there will be a great deal Of embarrass-
ment in adjusting their wishes to our local
conditions.
II think we may expect to find a great
deal of sentiment in this country favorable
to the generous treanent Of the Cubans
consistent with our own interests, and
pressure will undoubtedly be brought upon
Congress to treat the question at the next
session, If the Cubans have organized.
Difficulties in the Way.
apparent. The Cubans will ask a market
for their sugar Well If we can. as Secre-
tary Wilson of the Department of Agricul-
ture asserts. produce In this country from
beets raised by our farmers all the sugar
we consume there Is problem right away.
THE beet sugar industry is extensive and
growing. The farmers engaged in raising
the beets and the men who turn the raw
material into the finished product by the
investment of capital In manufacturing
plants will insist upon protection
Then. there are our own citizens who
will want less restricted commercial rela-
tions with Cuba. 1t is not to be expected
that the Cubans will admit our dairy
products, our flour and meal, our machin-
ery agricultural implements, boots and
shoes and clothing, into their country upon
less favorable tariff terms than we give
them for their staple products. AS 1 said,
it Is broad question and will have to be
handled skillfully.'
Lines of Reciprocity.
'Are you In favor, then, Of reciprocity"
II favor reciprocity upon the lines laid
down in the republican national platform
last year. and up to the point where it
does not conflict with the principle of the
American protective tar1rr. That platform
declared that we favor the associated
policy Of reciprocity so directed as to open
our markets on favorable terms for what
we do not ourselves produce in return for
free foreign markets.
Il do not advocate reciprocity which
would reduce the tariff on one American
protected industry In return for a reduc-
tion Of the tariff Of a foreign country on
another class of our products. In Pennsyl
vania We have built up an extensive textile
Industry under protection. 1t would be fol
ly to knock of 20 per cent of that tariff
In return for 20 per cent reduction b.
france upon some other American product
New Jersey and Pennsylvania have a great
SILK industry, competing with France with
the advantage of the tariff We must con-
t1nue that protection"
,ise, Rexerting to the subject Of possible re-
auctions In the tariff for the benefit of Gu
ba, Mr. Dalzell referred to the propabilftv
OF early free trade with Porto Rico
Free Trade With Porto Rico.
VI course, there Is no similarity between
our attitude toward Cuba and Porto Rico
ne said I'VE do not owe to Cuba what
we owe to Porto Rico 1t may be ex-
pected. however. than the enjoyment of
free trade with the United States bv the
Porto Ricans will arouse the Cubans to a
oesife TO participate in similar ADVANTAGES
sions. -A ~oiiees-
Il do not believe that we need fear tho
competition OF either Cuban Porto Rican
TOBACCO with our own tobacco. In fact. I
am told the Connecticut growers rather
welcome the more extensive admission ~
tropical tobacco Of some kinds. as If fur
nlshes hller for the homegrown leaf
wrapper We raise tobacco in Pennsylva-
MA, but 1t will not suffer by the admission
or Cuban and Porto Rican tobacco anv
more than would the Virginia and Ken.
lucky plug be hurt by it,
Mr.. Dalzell was asked whether the con-
sideration OF tariff concessions to -auha
Would not bring up the whole question of
revision OF the tariff and lower duties on
some articles.
No General Tariff Revision.
Il cannot understand" he replied, why
any one talks Of revision Of the tariff at
this time. 1t would unsettle business in a
period when everybody in this country is
enjoying prosperity greater than ever
known before. I do not believe there is any
real sentiment in favor of revision.
1T seems to me that it Is largely news
paper talk and will never crystalline into
movement in Congress. 1t is absurd to say
that 1t should be attempted as punishment
Tor the trusts. They do not care for the
tarfn and are not dependent upon it. The
only safeguard against possible evils Of
these wonderful combinations of capital lies
with the small manufacturers, who will
keep up competition. To take off the tariff
will drive them out of the business and
leave clear field for the stronger concerns
eff might be allowed to express my own
opinion, it would be that no bill proposing a
general revision of reductions in the tariff
will come out of the ways and means COM
mittee at this session Of Congress, unless it
comes with a negative recommendation"
Mr.. DalZell will leave Washington tonight
for his suburban home near Pittsburg and
will remain away until late in the fall
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