The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-05-16
Sugar Trusts Interests Exposed.
Speech of Hon. Joseph w. Fordney in Con-
gress April Is.
Cuban Reciprocity Discussed in Reference to
Interests of Michigan Farmers versus
Those of the Sugar Trust.
Speech we'll Supplied with Striking Figures
and Enlivened with Mirth Provoking
but Apt Illustrations.

get only 1926, 500
Then comes Mr.. Craig, of Philadel-
phia, producing $4,000 tons, on which he
would get $113,250.
Then comes this poor suffering Cuban,
Mendoza, with a Cleveland badge upon
him. The gentlemen know, presume,
that the Cleveland badge is patch by
Son the seat of his pantaloons. He
produces $4,000 tons, on which the
amount received would be $1SS, $50.
There is no question that the state
ments made by all these men before the
committee were conservative, and ac-
cording to those statements this crowd
produces $50, 900 to 200, 600 tons of the
615, 900 tons produced last year in Cuba;
so that one-sixth of this money would go
to these men living in the United States.
The gentleman from New York Mr..
Paynel read here in the course of his
speech letter from Governor Wood, of
Cuba, in which it was stated that there
were only 5000 tons of sugar in Cuba
in the hands of the sugar trust; that the
balance was in the hands of the banks,
who hold that sugar for the small cane
raisers.
That was the statement, or words to
that effect. From that statement you
are to infer that the banks are carrying
this sugar until such time as it can be
marketed, so that they may receive the
benefit of the provisions of this bill
carrying it for them and charging in
terest at the rate of IL to % per cent per
annum on their money. That is the rate
of interest those men down there pay.
Now, let me say to you that the small
cane raiser in Cuba does not own a
solitary cents worth of that sugar. He
mortgages his crop the very minute he
begins to raise it, just as the negro in
the South does his cotton crop, and by
the time the cane is delivered at the
factory the raiser has consumed his
share of the money. He receives from
the factory for his share one-half of the
sugar, and the factory receives the
balance; and the statement of General
Wood is to the effect that in Habana the
warehouses are filed to the top and the
sugar is piled up along the street, wait
ing for this bill to become law. OF
this 20 per cent do you suppose that the
poor cane raiser has any interest?
1t is absurd to suppose so. Every man
that testified before the committee adj
mitted that he has made money out of
the sugar industry in Cuba.
Now, let me read You an affidavit of
George w. Ames, of Bay City Mich.
G. w. Ames, of Bay City, Mich, U.
S. A., being duly sworn, deposes and
says as follows:
On February 81, 1902, at o'clock in
the afternoon, l met at the Hoffman
House. New York City, Mr.. M. Mendoza,
of Habana, Cuba, and remained with
him about one-half hour in the Hoffman
House cafe. In company with Mr..
Mendoza was Mr.. Otto Bush, who in
troduced me to Mr.. Mendoza. Mr..
Mendoza stated to me, in Mr.. Bnsh's
presence, that anyone who bought land
in Cuba with the intention Of growing
sugar could make very handsome pro-
fit no matter whether any concession in
the existing tariff on sugar was granted
by the United States or not, and he en-
phasized the statement in the strongest
possible manner.
Pay attention to that statement, if you
please.
That land there he had purchased very
recently for 50 an acre could not now be
purchased for less than "a an acre: that
great many of his New York friends
have very recently purchased large
tracts of land, believing that the exist
ing tariff rates on sugar would be grant
ed of 33b per cent He stated they had
asked for 40 per cent, but that they
were sure of getting 335 per cent.
During our conversation Mr.. Bush, in
the presence of Mr.. Mendoza and my
self, stated that he supposed the sugar
trust controlled the press of the East
Mr.. Mendoza said in reply, Yes, we
have the press for the East"
1--WE have the press for the East. =
How did they get it? Who paid for it.
Mr.. Mendoza, one of those poor devils
suffering so much down there in Cuba,
or the sugar trust, or who? leave that
for you to guess.
Mr.. Mendoza stated again that where
good land was purchased in Cuba at
present prices and sugar plant erected
great deal of money could be made,
and this could be done even if there was
no concessions made by the United
States.
GEORGE W. AMEs.
Sworn to before me this 2sth day OF
February, 1902.
DONALD FINDLEY,
Notary Public, New York County,
No. 1876
That is what Mr. Mendoza said after
he had been here and appealed to tho
gentlemen of the Ways and Means Com
inittee for relief. Either he made false
statements before the committee or he
was not honest in the statement have
just quoted. Which do you give him
credit for2 In the interview which