The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-27
THE BEET SUGAR MEN
FATE OF TREATY MAY REST
 WITH THEM.
Cuban Reciprocity Will Not Havs Smooth Sailing Even at This session-senator Bur
 rows Talks.

New Orleans, Dee 26-A special from Washington to The Times Democrat says: Opinion differs widely as to the prooaoie action of the Senate and House tn ois- posing of the Cuban reciprocity treaty and the essential supplemental 'eg1sia- ton. The administration believes that there will be much less opposition than in the last Congress session against such legislation, while others there are who predict that Cuban reciprocity will not have altogether smooth sailing. even now. Senator Burrows of Michigan, who has evinced a deep interest In Cuban reciprocity was asked today why there should be less opposition to the Cuban trade treaty and its provisions than tu the reciprocvity bill which failed of en- actment h the last session.
 There were reasons outside Of the merits or demerits of that bill," Senator Burrows replied, which caused Repuo- lican Senators to hold the opinion that it Senate for consideration. The bill con | tained a proposition for tariff reduction which, under the rules of the Senate. was open to limitless amendments. The bill was upon the eve of a Congressional cleo ton, and an aggressive minority party stood ready to offer amendments without end.
 Tn the second place, the proposition contained in the bin was in a measure indefinite It authorized the President O: the United States to lower duties on Gu ban products In the event of Cuba grant | ing equivalent concessions to products of the United States. American industrie: affected by the reduction had no means | of knowing the rate of the equivalent du- | ties. The time of the continuance of the | reduced tari hwas undetermined by the | bill, and American industries could not | tell how long the rates would continue in | effect.
 Tt was asserted that the reduction oi the tariff thI eatened to damage seriously one American industry. the manufacture Of beet sugar. That was by no means the least important consideration. The only question at issue ;n connection with the treaty made public In Havana ia whether the reduction of 20 per cent ir our tartn in the products of Cuba will af feet an American industry injuriously Upon that question there is a divisin o opinion.'
 Can that question be determined be. fore January 31, by which time this treat must be ratided?' Senator Burrows wal | asked.
 "nh. should think so" he replied.
 The beet sugar growers of my State win l .A'SCN AOAt uCouAS to COnSlQSE the eHect ! of the proposed reduction upon their iu- d"strv. and whether they can arrange their business to meet the reduction for .-'- ''~--. .Ae InAe uuI4ng winch the i treaty Is to live.
 The National Association Of Beet Growers will meet In Washington on January to consider the effect of tn. treaty upon their business in Michigan. Kansas. Nebraska and on the Pacific coast. Some say that with a reduction, of 20 per cent for a fixed time they can get along. Twenty per cent reduction taking the market price of sugar today would give protection to the American producer of about ons and one-third cent pound. That Is not a bad protection in this opinion 0f some manufacturers | Rut the question will nave to be consider. ed carefully.
 Tn my State alone we have sixteen bee- | factories In operation and six more will
 be ready for the sugar-makinR campaigr of 1903. These industries represent .
 money investment of about S12 OOO. 0OO. aut a good deal of the stock Is held by tn.
 farmers who raise the beets to supply th, factories.
 But all will be carefully considered |, the coming convention of beet growers, tt be held here. and a decision may b. reached that the 20 per cent reduction
 proposed by this treaty will not seriously lnjure the industry
 If the decision Is reached that the re, duct.on will injure the beet sugar indus
 try, I do not suppose that any RepubIl
 can who advocated the protective tarif
 win support the treaty. It is not to b.
 assumed nat a reaty would be ratifet
 providing for the easier entry of certail
 American manufactures into Cuba at tn,
 sole expense of another manufacturer O
 this country. That is not reciprocity a.
 contemplated by the Repub bllcan nationa platform,
 If We enter upon such a policy of re
 ciprocity as that we start a war anon, American industries. which will be tn
 beginning Of the end of the American protective system. Of course Democrat
 will diligently aid in involving the Re
 publican party in such an interneoin economic struggle. However. that ques
 tlon will be gone over in the hearings , for I've no doubt the threatened Ameri
 can industries will receive a hearing an, an opportunity to present their claim and defense"