Evening star., 1902-02-07
TARIFF CONCESSIONS
Representative Morris introduces a
Sugar Bill
REBATE TO THE CUBAN PLANTERS
He Explains How 1t VIII Operate
on the Trust.
CUBAN DELEGATES APPEAL

1t is not believed that the tariff conces-
sion which Congress is expected to grant
the Cubans will amount to the sum request
ed by the Cuban commercial delegates.
namely, % per cent of the present tariff.
The ways and means republicans will not
even listen to a suggestion for reduction
greater than - per cent, and won't prom
Use that much outright.
Representative Morris of Minnesota has
introduced a bill in the House increasing
the duty on sugar and authorizing the
President to rebate 33 1-3 per cent OF the
duty to the Cuban planters. in consideration
of tariff concessions from Cuba 1t is pro-
vided that the amount of the concessions
to Cuba in the duties on sugar herein pro-
vided for shall be held in the treasury of
the United States and paid to the sugar
planters in Cuba pro rata according to the
amount of sugar raised by each of said
planters under such rules and regulations
as the President of the United States may
prescribe.
The Cuban Delegates Appeal
The following is a copy of open letter
sent to the committee on ways and means
by the delegates of the Cuban Planters As
sociation:
ITO the Ways and Means Committee of the
House of Representatives, Washington,
DC
Gentlemen: The delegates of the Cuban
Planters Association, now in this city, beg
to state to your honorable body their con-
viction that an advantage OF 30 per cent in
the American tariff on Cuban sugars is the
minimum which will serve to avert the
financial and industrial disaster now pend
ing in the Island of Cuba. This conviction
is based upon the personal knowledge of the
delegates, and is fully supported by the tes-
timony now being presented from all parts
of the island.
I'VE are aware that various methods are
suggested by which this advantage may be
conceded. We desire to assure you that any
plan which may be devised by your honor
able body, and by which there may be
granted the concession necessary for the
salvation of the industry of our island, will
command our most cordial approval and CO.
operation.
Our need is great, our situation critical
and our danger imminent. The suspension
of two large estates is already announced.
III the situation be not promptly relieved,
other suspensions may be expected at any
time. Delay can only mean disaster to that
branch of our productive industry upon
which nearly two-thirds OF our people are
dependent for their livelihood. 1t is cur
conviction that prompt action is necessary
TO avoid the precipitation of that disaster.
The manner in which the necessary relief
shall come is of less Importance to us than
that ft shall come and come quickly.
I'VE beg to repeat our conviction that
sum equivalent to 30 per cent of the tariff
HOW enforced against us. through whatever
channel the concession may be granted is
the minimum which will afford due relief
We desire to emphasize our opinion and be-
lief that any smaller sum than that will
but serve to postpone for a brief time only
the disaster to our island and its industries
Industrial and financial disaster would in
evltably bring in its train political dis
aster, which could only result in the undo
ing OF all the work of the past three years
and in the deplorable necessity for con-
tinuance of the government of intervention
Without adequate relief. promptly afforded.
Cuba must remain a political and economic
burden upon the United States
IF. P. MACHADO. Chairman.
JOAQUIN A. PIEDRA Delegate
''OCTAVIO SMITH, Delegate
GEORGE r. FOWLER, Delegate.
''OCTAVIO E. DAVIS Secretary"
What Mr.. Morris Says.
Representative Morris bill increases the
duty on 96 degree raw sugar from the
present rate of 1.6S5 cents a pound to 1S44
cents a pound, resulting, in a decrease in
the differential duty on refined sugar from
.265 to .156 cents a pound Mr.. Morris
thinks his bill solves the difficulties con-
fronting the protectionists of the ways and
means committee, and he said this after
noon that he believes the bill can enable
the President and the beet sugar men to
meet on common ground.
by increasing the duties on sugar" he
said, Il throw part of the burden on the
whole people, and by decreasing the diff
ferential between the duty on refined sugar
and the duty on unrefined sugar, the diff
ferential which the refiners claim enables
them to continue business and by which
they make their profits, throw part of the
burden on the refiners or the sugar trust.
The increase in the duty on sugar will pro-
duce an increase in the revenues of about
s5,000,000. or about one-half of what we
will concede to Cuba on the 33l1 per cent
basis.