Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-25
CUBAN RECIPROCITY
EFFECT OF PENDING CoNVEN-
TIoN WILL BE DISCUSSED.
If the Sentiment of the Delegates is
Disappearing Senator Burrows Be-
lieves It Will Be Decisive.

statement that the copy was obtained in Ha-
vana. The text of the treaty will be found
In another column.
That the treaty is not to be ratified heed
lessly and out of hand by the Senate may
be inferred from the remarks Of Senator
Burrows of Michigan in an interview with
a Star reporter today, to which significance
may be attached. Senator Burrows In the
last session OF Congress was one of the re-
publican leaders who prevented action on
the Cuban reciprocity bill, which passed the
House but was sidetracked in the Senate.
''In what way" Senator Burrows was
asked, docs this treaty providing for a
reduction of 90 per cent on Cuban products
remove the objections urged against the bill
In the last session providing for a similar
reduction?'
Objections to the Bill.
There were reasons outside Of the merit 8
or dement's of that BILL Senator Burrows
replied, (which caused republican senators
to hold the opinion that it was undesirable
to bring it up in the Senate for considera-
tion at that time. The bill contained a
proposition for tariff reduction which under
the rules of the Senate was open to limitless
amendment. The time was the eve of a
congressional election, and an active and
offer those amendments without end. The
republican parry would have been put on
record as voting against tariff revision
when 1t does not desire to make such a
record, for it will revise the tariff when 1t
needs to be revised, and will revise it
whole and not by piecemeal.
In the second place, the proposition con-
tanned in the bill was in a measure indef1-
mite. 1t authorized the President of the
United States to lower the duties levied on
Cuban products in the event of Cuba grant
ing equivalent concessions to products of
the United States. Now, American indus
tries affected by the reduction had no
means of knowing the rate of the equiva
lent duties. The time of the continuance of
the reduced tariff was undetermined by the
bill, and American industries could not tell
how long the rates would continue in effect
I'm the third place, it was claimed that
the reduction of the tariff threatened to
seriously damage one American industry,
the manufacture of beet sugar. That was
by no means the least important considera
tion of the three mentioned.
One Question at Issue.
"Now, the only question at issue in con-
nection with the treaty made public in
Havana. is whether the reduction of 20
per cent in our tariff on the products of
Cuba will affect an American industry in
juriously. Upon that question there is a
division of opinion
"Can that question be determined before
January 81, by which time this treaty must
be ratified?" Senator burrows was asked
oh, / should think so,'' he replied. 1.-The
beet sugar growers of my state will meet
next Tuesday to consider the effect of the
proposed reduction upon their industry and
whether they can arrange their business to
meet the reduction for five years, the time
during which the treaty is to live.
Beet Growers to Meet Here.
''The National Association of Beet Crow
ers will meet in Washington January S to
consider the effect of the treaty upon their
business in Michigan, Kansas, Nebra ska
and on the Pacific coast. They will reach
a decision whether they can stand a re-
duction or net. Some claim that with a
reduction of 20 per cent for fixed time
they can get along. Twenty per cent re-
duction, taking the market price of sugar
today. would give a protection to the
American producer of about / 1-3 cents a
pound. That is not a bad protection, in
the opinion of some manufacturers. But
the question will have to be considered
carefully.
"1n my state alone have sixteen beet
factories In operation. and six more will
be ready for the sugar-making campaign of
1908. These industries represent a money
investment of about $4,000, 600, and a good
deal OF the stock is held by the farmers
who raise the beets to supply the factories
But all questions will be carefully con-
growers, to be held here. and decision
may be reached that the 90 per cent reduc-
tion proposed by this treaty will not Sc
riously injure the industry"
But suppose the decision is reached that
the reduction will injure the Industry" the
senator was asked.
In Case Convention Disapproves.
"Oh. in that case" replied the senator.
blandly. II do not suppose that any repub-
he r;f
will support the treaty. 1t is not to be as
sumed that a treaty would be ratified pro-
viding for the easier entry Of certain Amer
lean manufactures into Cuba at the sole
expense of another manufacture of this
country. That is not the reciprocity con-
templated in the republican national plat
form.
If we enter upon such a policy of reci-
procity rs that We inaugurate a war among
American industries, which will be the be-
ginning of the end of the American pro-
tective system. OF course, democrats will
diligently aid in involving the republican
party in such an internecne economic strug-
gle However. that question will be gone
oyer In the hearings. for I've no doubt the
threatened American industries will be
gwen hearing and an opportunity to
present their claims and defense.
AT least, continued the senator 1.-The
sugar beets OF the west may expect as
much consideration as was given the cod
fish Of Massachusetts,, and in the prepara-
tion of the Newfoundland reciprocity
treaty recently laid before the Senate the
Goldfish industry had its day in COURT
The Reciprocity Of the Treaty.
The treaty provides for straight reduc-
tion of 20 per cent on Cuban products en-
tering the United States and a reduction Of
20 TO 40 per cent on stipulated American
products entering Cuba. While there is dis
tinction between the rates on American
goods going into Cuba. there Is no discrimi-
nation in fact The original Cuban reciproci-
ty Dill provided for a reduction of 20 per
cent in our tariff and an equivalent reduc-
lion In the Cuban tariff. What would be
40 per cent reduction in the Cuban tariff on
cotton goods OF a certain grade might be
the equivalent Of only 20 per cent reduction
In machinery, and II is this distinction
which is provided for in the pending treaty
1t Is well understood among senator's and
representatives that no contest will arise
between the House and Senate over the