The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-16
Trade With Cuba Subject Before
WAYS and Means Committee.
PRESENT CONDITIONS HORRIBLE
Unless Reciprocal Relations Are Established
Cuba May Be Forced to ask
for Annexation to his
Country.
by Associated Prcss.)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-The Ways
and Means Committee began hearings to-
day on the subject of Cuban reciprocity
with a large representation present from
the various interests which could be
affected by legislation of this character.
the Cuban industries were represented
by Messrs. Place Mendoza, Dulnois and
Francke, chosen by commercial orgalli-
cations in various parts of the Island.
The American interests engaged in SUI
gar production in Cuba We're represented
by Edwin +. Atkins, spokesman for an
organization controlling a large part Of
the sugar production OF the island; Hugh
Kelly, OF New York and John T. Craig,
Of Philadelphia. William Haywood was
present in behalf Of the Hawaiian sugar
planters, and Henry I. Oxnard for the
domestic beet sugar interests. The to-
bacco and other interests affected by
Cuban production were also we'll repre-
scented.
OVER-PRODUCTION
Edwin f. Atkins, of Boston,. made the
opening statement in behalf of recipro-
city. He spoke of the enormous over
production of sugar throughout tire
world, amounting to about 1850, 600 TONS
which had resulted in a crisis in the in
dustry. Europeans countries had met
these by bounties So that q German
producer, by means Of q, bounty, was able
to sell sugar at half a cent per pound
below its cost OF production The cost
OF production in Cuba was 2.N6 cents per
pound, which was somewhat above the
selling price. Mr.. Atkins stated, that
there was now about $200o0,000 worth OF
standing cane in Cuba and at present
prices a considerable part of this would
not be harvested. The loss to labor, he
thought, was likely to lead to distur
Dances. At the time set for the with
drawal OF the American troops there
would. he thought, be a deficit in the
insular revenues, which was largely re-
cruitcd in the sugar industry
Mr.. Atkins stated that q 50 per cent
rate of duties was desired on the various
large products of the island, but i'll re-
Spouse to inquiry from Mr.. Payne he
said that the sugar industry felt that
they should have 100 per cent. reduc-
ton. He was opposed to a drawback.
Mr.. Atkins thought that if present con-
ditions continued Cuba probably would
become 50 desperate as TO be forced into
annexation.
CUBAN STANDPOINT.
Louis Place, merchant of Havana. and
head of tho Cuban delegation, presented
the case from the Cuban standpoint. At
present, he said, Cuba was buying largo
quantities of foreign goods, and if reci-
procity was brought about with the
United States, Cuba would buy Ameri-
can cotton goods, wine and many other
articles now bought abroad. He believed
this market in Cuba would amount to
$3.50 CQ0.G GOO within two years,
Francis 3 Thurber, of the United
States Export Association stated that the
primary consideration was ono OF good
faith on the part of the United States
to Cuba.
Hugh Kelly. of New York, who mas
large sugar holdings in Cuba, said that
as an American he urged that reciprocal
concessions be made. He believed that If
there was not reciprocity Cuba would ask
for annexation. ana if this occurred the
voice of the American people would be
for admitting the island.
MI Mendoza of the Cuba delegation
pictured the distress if present conditions
were continued. and said the loss OH the
sugar crop of the island this year would
approximate S12,o00,OC0. He strongly fay
ored the free admission of sugar and re.
cprocal concessions on American goods
entering Cuba.