The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-15
SUGAR WAR ON.
Rival Interests Line Up Before
the Committee
Of Ways and Means of NatiOna
House.
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
Subject includes Tobacco and
Other Industries Besides.
Edwin f. Atkins Speaks For the
Planters of Cuba.

Washington, jan 15.-The ways and
means committee began hearings today
on the subject of Cuban reciprocity
with alarge repreSen tation present from
the various interests which would be
affected by legislation of this character.
The Cuban industries were represented
by Messrs. Place, Mendoz Dumois and
Francke, chosen by commercial organ
izations in various parts of the island.
The American interests engaged in su-
gar production in Cuba were represent
ed by Edwin F. Atkins, spokesman for
an organization controlling large part
of the sugar production of the island,
Hugh Kelly, of New York and John f.
Craig, of Philadelphia. William Hay
wood was present in behalf of the Ha-
waiian sugar planters and Henry T.
Oxnard for the domestic beet sugar in
terests. The tobacco and other interests
affected by Cuban production, also were
well represented.
Chairman Payne stated at the outset
that the hearing was in reference to
that portion of the presidents message
relating to reciprocity with Cuba. The
committee first would hear those favor
able to Cuba and Mr.. Payne stated that
the committee desired to be informed
as to the effect of reciprocity both on
Cuba and on the people of the United
States.
Edwin F. Atkins of Boston, made the
opening statement in behalf of recip-
rocity. He spoke of the enormous over
prOuucI1On OF sugar throughout the
world amounting to about 1,500, 600 tons
which had resulted in a crisis in the
industry. European countries had met
this by bountieS, SO that the German
producer, by means of a bounty was
able to sell sugar at y cent per pound
below its cost of production. The cost
of production in Cuba was 2>S cents per
pound, which was somewhat above the
selling price. Mr.. Atkins stated that
there was now about 10000, 900 worth
of standing cane in Cuba and at present
prices considerable part of this would
not be harvested. While not an alarm
ist. he said the effect would be a serious
loss to the planters and the labor en-
ployed. The loss to labor, he thought,
was likely to lead to disturbances At
the time set for the withdrawal Of
American troops there would be, in his
opinion a deficit in the inSular revenues
which were barely recruited from the
sugar industry.
Mr.. Atkins stated that so per cent
various large products of the island,
but in response to inquiries from Mr..
Payne, he said that the sugar industry
felt they should have a 100 per cent re-
duction.
Mr.. Atkins stated that the opposition
to Cuban reciprocity came from several
sources, namely the domestic beet su-
gar industry, the Hawaiian planters
and the sugar interests of Porto Rico
and Louisiana, aggrega ting $4,000 tons
production. To Mr.. Payne he stated
that very large percentage of The Gu
ban sugar industry was owned by citi-
zens of the United States.
Aside from the advantage of reciproc-
ity to Cuba, Mr.. Atkins maintained that
it would be of material advantage to
the United States, including reduc-
ton in the price of sugar to the people,
Asked by MIR. Payne If his sugar busi-
ness was profitable last year. Mr.. At
kins conceded that it had been but gem
era1 inquiry among planters showed
that they had not done a profitable
business.