The Forrest City times., 1902-01-17
RECIPROCITY NTH CUBA.
Hearing by the House Ways and Means Committee on the
 Subject.
THE VARIOUS INTERESTS INVOLVED.
sugar Appear, 10 Be the Principal Product of Cuba that Calls for Aid to Build ID and Maintain the Industrial Prosperity of the Isl- and

Washington. Jan l6-The ways and means committee began hearings on --e subject Of Cuban reciprocity with large representation present from The various interests which would be- affected by legislation of this character. The Cuban indus tries were represented by MesSrs- Place, Mendoza. Dlmof> and Fraueke, chosen by commercial orga nizations u various parts of the island The American interests engaged ia sugar production in Cuba were represented by Edwin F. Atkins. spokesman for Al organization controlling large part af fh- sugar production nf the island. Hugh Nelly, of New York, and John r. Craig. of Philadelphia. Nm. Haywood was present in behalf of the Hawaiian sugar planters. and Henry I. ONnard for the beet sugar interests. The tobacco and other in- terests affected by Cuban production also were well represented.
 Chairman Payne stated at the out set that the hearing was in reference To that portion of tke presidents message relating to reciprocity with Cuba. The committee first would hear those favorable to Cuba. and Mir. Payne stated that The committee desired to be informed as - the ef- feet of reciprocity both ou Cuba and on the people of ;he United States.
 Edwin F. Atkinson. e# Boston. made The opening statement n behalf If reciprocity. He spoke of The euor- nous reproduction of sHgaI throughout the world, amounting tc about 1-5ooo83 tons. >.hich had re suited in crisis in the industry. Eu- ropeau countries had met this by bonntie>. SO that the German produc- CT. DX means of bounty. was able 10 sell sugar at half q cent per pound ] below lts cost of production. The l cost of production iu Cuba wa 2.C cents per pound, which was some what above the selling price. Mir. At- kins stated that there were now about S2o .u0o og0 worth of standing cane in Cuba. and at present prices a considerable part of this would not be harvested While not an alarmist. he said fhe effect would be serious loss ro the planters and the labor employed. The loss To labor. he ] thought. Was likely 10 lead to dis turbauee~. -At the time set for the withdrawal of the American troops there would be. in his opinion de- ficit in the inSular revenues. which were largely recruited from the sugar industry
 Mr. Atlins stated thar a s0-per cent. reduction of duties was de- sired Oh the various large products If the island. bat in response to in- quiries from Mir. Payne he said that the sugar inda~.ry felt they should have d hooper cent. reduction Mr. Atkins stated that the opposition So Cuban reciprocity came from several sources. namrlyy the beet sugar in ] dustry. the Hawaiian planters and the sugar interests - Porto Rico and i Louisiana, aggregatiug ,g0.O00 tons ] production. To Mfr. Payne he stated that very large percentage of the ] Cuban sugar industry was owned by i citizens of the United States
 Aside from the advantage of re- i ciproeity to Cuba. Mir. Atkins main taiued that 1t would be of material i advantage To the United States, in cluding reduction in the price O! l sugar to the people.
 Asked by Mir. Payne if his sugar business was profitable last year. MT. 1 Atkins said he conceded that il had been. but general inquiry among planters showed that they had not 1 done profitable business.