New-York tribune., 1902-01-16
NEEDS OF CUBAN PLANTERS.

In his statement 10 the committee Mr.. Atkins
spoke Of the enormous overproduction Of sugar
throughout the world amounting about
100000 tons. which had resulted in a crisis
in the industry. European countries had met
this by bounties, so that the German producer,
hy means Of a bounty. able 70 sell sugar at
half cent a pound below the cost Of produc-
ton. The cost Of production in Cuba was 20j
cents q pound which was somewhat above the
selling price NJ. Atkins said that there was
now about S2G 006000 worth Of standing cane in
Cuba, and at present a considerable part of this
would not be harvested. while not an alarm
ist' he said. the effect would be a serious loss
20 the planters ana the labor employed" The
loss to labor, he thought was likely TO lead to
disturbances IN the island. At the time set for
the Withdrawal OF American troops there would
be, in his opinion. a deficit IN the nsular reve-
nues. which were largely recruited from the
sugar industry. Nr. Atkins said that a 90 per
cent reduction Of duties was desired the
various large products Of the island but in re-
sponse u inquiries from AIr. Payne, he said that
the sugar industry felt it should have 100 per
cent reduction.
Mr Atkins said that the opposition TO Cuban
reciprocity came from several sources-the do
mestic beet sugar industry the Hawaiian plant
ers and the sugar interests Of Porto Rico and
Louisiana, aggregatlng S90, 900 tons production.
He discussed each branch Of this production
lis cost, etc, and was questioned by Repre-
sentative Robertson, of Louisiana, as to the
Louisiana product, and by various members Of
the committee the relations of the Cuban
crop TO the product elsewhere To Mr.. Payne
he said that a very large percentage Of the
Cuban sugar industry was owned. by citizens of
ihe United States. Aside from the advantages
o. reciprocity 10 Cuba Mr. Atkins maintained
mat II would be of material advantage to the
United States, including a reduction in the
price OF sugar to the people. Asked by Mr.
Fasne II his sugar business was profitable last
year Mr.. Atkins conceded that II had been. but
eenefa Inquiry among planters showed that
lney had not done profitable business.
F. B. THURBER's sTATMENT.
Francis B. Thurber, Of New-York. president of
ue United States Export Association. submit
'eo statement in behalf Of the proposed con-
oession. He SAID:
a., am interested in this subject primarily as a
suesuon Of the good faith of the United States
so"atu '1ubai second, 10 voice the interests of
seIican producers and manufacturers, who,
st1t -et proper conditions, would find a very Valu-
49, -iarhet IN Cuba; and, third, the interest OF
I-eItean consumers Of sugar. For many years
~ one OF the largest distributors of sugar IN
;-stec in chltec States. and familiar with that
r-uHst4g- For the past five years l have been
.,siueht Of the United States Export Associa-
~ whose object is to widen the market for
49, e-ioSh products and whose membership COM
T,es teading houses in ninety-eight principal
NJ NJ, oi industry situated in thirty-four States.
nix lne last year l have had occasion TO
80 s sIecia! study OF the tariff relations be
rs., cuba and the United States. with the
rans VI arriving at the belief that the greatest
foss 70 the greatest number Of the people Of
rrh Countries will be subserVed by placing
cs-s,, 80 lar as tariff relations con-
A. %, ., as nearly possible the same basis
he slso elo Rica and Hawaii, and the same may
So oi the Philippine Islands.
tnneeNse as IL may seem, the Dingley tarin
iotaeees on The chief Cuban products-sugar and
Cent "a duty amounting TO about 100 per
cor5,se shne on the dutabie products of all other
AVE. imported into the United States II
IN t,sSS ABOUT % per cent This is anomalous
chsnsss And IS rendered still more so by our
her - relations TO Cuba. which virtually make
the ps" ward Of the nation. She has accepted
du,isx att amendment which imposes upon her
fnslineh ehe obligations which prevent her from
tries7 advantageous treaties with other coun-
ever, 1na. as stated by President Roosevelt,
Inanss CONSIDERATION OF duty and interest de-
al on- tat aat Cuba should have liberal treatment
DOMESTIC SUGAR INTERESTS.
Eugsr s opposed by our domestic beet and cane
NOUS ,rs .seIests who have been making enor-
'''Ns hncer the excessive protection af-