New-York tribune., 1902-07-02
THE DUTY on SUGAR.
A 20 PER CENT REDUCTION ON THE CUBAN
PRODUCT WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED
THE PRICE OF THE COMMODITY
MADE IN THIS COUNTRY.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The pertinacity OF the beet sugar advocates
in obstructlng legislation foT the relief of Cuba by
a small reduction of duties in reciprocity with the
United States is calling the attention of the pub
lie regardless of party, TO the unreasonableness OF
their appeal tc the policy of protection They nave
strven to prevent the fuflment of the promises
of our Presidents and the prevalent desire Of the
people to extend a helping hand in her time OF need
the infant republic of Cuba.
1t is we'll to look at the facts TO see what ad-
vantage the beet and cane growers in this coun-
try realize by the present high duty upon I'M
ported sugar, and also what 1t costs the people
at large. In the evidence before the committee
on Ways and Means official authority estimated
the consumption of sugar in the United States in
the year 1902 at about 2.45OOpO tons. OF this cane
sugar of the United States amounted to about
CO0O0 tons, and beet sugar of the United States
about 1000 tens: imports from Hawaii, free OF
duty, 100000 tons; imports from Porto Rico free
Of duty. 10000 tons: and we must import duty
paid. 100000 tons.
The duty is levied somewhat according to quality
of the sugar. and the larger part OF the Cuban
product and of the other imports has to pay apout
16Sc a pound SS7 ton.
few years ago, before Hawaii and Porto Rico
became territory OF the United States. their sugar
paid the same duty that is now charged on Cuban
Their identification With this country gave them
full exemption. and the close relation which the
United States holds by the events Of war should
Porto Rico.
The producer OF cane and beet sugar in the
United States realize a greater price than foreign
producers, equal TO the amount OF the duty ana
the people of the United s. ateo pay for domestic
and foreign sugar nearly SoJ coo coo more than II
there was no duty. Hawaii and Porto Rico sugars
do not paw duty. but they realize the duty paid
price Of Cuban unrehned sugar - degrees polariza-
ton, now about Sssc a pound. against last June
1870.
The Cuban producers after paying lssc duty
and freight and other expenses OF shipment. VIII
realize about 1lsc pound for their product Cuban
noIasses sugar OF s. degrees polarization, paying
a duty OF L35c. may yield about u4c. less. appar-
entity, than the German beet sugar Is offered AT in
London-sx shillings a hundredweight, or about
191c a pound.
These figures allow no room for doubt as TO the
hardship of the planters or the perls Of the In
fant republic. with principal industry paralySed
and the resulting curtalimenI OF imports and re-
duced revenue from duties, upon which the gov
ernent relies for tHe supply Ct its treasury action
for even 20 per cent reduction. many planters in
CURED large expeLse in placing their sugar IN
Ing by the delay TO realize an advantage in re-
dueed duty But alas i9T their & Iafn ba IN ,d tHe rs5
their sugar to the market and take what they can
get in competition with all other stocks.
Nearly One-haf OF the L600G0 tons OF sugar I'M
ported comes from Cuba, and the duty is about
duty recprocaIly with Cuba was for 20 per cent
Cuba. widely distributing some $,c000O0.
The exemption of the sugar of Porto Rico from
import duty did not affect the market price OF
sugar in this country, but Il enabled the planter
In Porto Rico TO realize about Lose pound more
than before. So the reduction os the petty 20
per proposed by the House BILL which is OF
material benefit to the Cuban planter in increas
a pound, would not in the least have affected the
price of beet sugar produced in the United
States Neither would the market price have been
reduced for wears to come until the home and
Cuban production should suffice for the supply of
all people.
At the present over 500 0OJ tons Of sugar are i'm
Including about 100000 tons of European beet sugar.
which fixes the market price lor ala sugar In this
country the cost of importation with the duty.
The price Of German beet sugar is abnormally
low, by reason of bounties upon the sugar
ported The German Government pays about O27c
a pound which tariff meets by an extra duty
of like amount, but the SUfar Trust of Germany
q further private bounty, which is understood
vailed by an increased duty For this reason Gu
ban sugar has to compete with German beet sugar
at from 04c to O67c pound below the cost of
production in Germany.
The stimulus of prohibitiVe duty upon imports
of about &c a pound in Germany insures a profit
able market at home for beet sugar; and, along
export, has induced large product OF beet
sugar that the worlds demands have been ex-
Ceeded, and the normal price of sugar would be
low for that reason alone. And as it is aDpar-
O67c less than cost without loss, ii is self
evident that Cuba's crop. harvested in the early
months of this year, realize the planter
the cost OF production.
A prompt enactment of the reciprocity measure
would afford the benefit to remnant of this
years crop, but the greater end accomplish
would be in the visible assurance of the small
advantage in coming years, and above all. to
show that we do care for Cubas welfare.
Boston. June 26. 1892.