Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-01-24
PRESENT (UBA'S CLAIM.
SUGAR ARE men TELLING
THEIR STORY OF WANT
CubanS Want Fifty Percent Reduction
in Tariff Hawaii Represented
at the Committee
Hearing.


and Means Committee began hearings
today on the subject Of Cuban reciproc-
ity with large representation present
from the various interests which would
be affected by legislation of this char
acter The Cuban Industries were rep.
resented by Messrs. Place, Mendoza, |
Dumois and Francke. chosen by con-.
mercial organizations in various parts |,
of the island.
The American interests engaged ip
sugar production in Cuba were repre-
scented by Edwin f. Atkins, spokes
man for an organization controlling a
large part of the sugar production o.
the island, Hugh Kelly Of New York
and John f. Craig OF Philadelphia.
William Haywood was present in be.
half of the Hawaiian sugar planters
and Henry T. oxnard for the domestic
beet-sugar interests. The tobacco and
other interests affected by Cuban pro.
duction also were well represented.
Chairman Payne stated at the outset
that the hearing was in reference to
that portion Of the Presidents message
relating to reciproc>-y with Cuba. The
committee would first hear those "a
vorable to Cuba and Mr.. Payne stated
that the committee desired to be iu-
formed as to the effect of reciprocity
both on Cuba and on the people Of the
United States.
Edwin f. Atkins of Boston made thu
opening statement in behalf of reel.
proclty. He spoke of the enormous
overproduction of sugar throughout the
world, amounting to about 100000
tons, which had resulted in a crisis in
the industry. European countries had
met this by bounties SO that the Ger
man producer, by means of a bounty,
was able to sell sugar at a half-cent per
pound below its cost of production.
The cost of production in Cuba was
&c cents per pound, which was some
what above the selling price. Mr.. At
kins stated that there was now about
S2O,000.0O0 worth of standing cane III
Cuba. and at present prices a consider
able part of this would not be harvest.
cd. While not an alarmist, he said the
effect would be serious loss to the
planters and the labor employed. The
/ loss to labor, he thought, was likely
! to lead to disturbances. At the time
set for the withdrawal of America L
troops, there would be. in his opinion,
u deficit in the insular revenues. which
were largely recruited from the sugar
industry.
Atkins stated that so per cent re-
duction of duties was desired on the
various large products of the island,
but in response to inquiries from
Payne, he said that the sugar indus
try felt they should have a 100 per
cent reduction. Atkins stated that the
opposition to Cuban reciprocity came
from special sources, namely the do.
nestle beet sugar industry, the Hawa.
iian planters and the sugar interests of
Porto Rico and Louisiana, aggregating
$4,000 tons production. To Payne he
stated that a very large percentage o..
the Cuban sugar industry was owned
by citizens of the United States.
Aside from the advantages of rect,
procity to Cuba, Atkins maintained
that 1t would be Of material advantage
TO the United States, including n reduC.
tlon in the price of sugar, to the PEG.
pie. Asked by Payne II the sugar bust.
ness was profitable last year, Atkins
said he conceded that it had been, but
general inquiry among planters show.
ed that they had not done a profitable
business. At ~ o'clock a recess wa:
taken until y m.
At the afternoon session Atkins con,
tinued his statement, in the course Of
which he expressed strong opposition
to any system Of drawback. He said
that the Havemeyer interests were
small and exercised no controlling IN,
fiuence. Atkins said that II politiCa
conditions continued Cuba would prob.
ably become so desperate as TO be fore
ed into action.
Lewis Place, a merchant of Havanl
and head of the Cuban delegation. pre-,
sented the case from the Cuban stand.
point. At present, he said, Cuba was
buying large quantities of foreign
goods and If reciprocity was brought
about with the United States Cubs
would buy American cotton goods
wine and many other articles nov
bought abroad. He believed the mar.
ket In Cuba would amount to $3.50, 900 ,,
900 within two years.
Francis b. Thurber OF the Unite,
States Export Association said that the
primary consideration was one of GOO
faith on the part of the United State!
toward Cuba.
Hugh Kelly OF New York, who hai
large sugar holdings in Cuba, said tina
as an American he urged that recipra
cal concessions be made. He believed
that II there was no reciprocity Cub,
would ask for annexation. II this oc
Cured the voice of the American PEG
pie would be for admitting the island
Mendoza of the Cuba delegation pic
! tured the distress II present condition,
were continued and said the loss OF
the sugar crop this year would approx
innate $l2,00O,000. He strongly favored
the free admission of sugar anu reel
: procal concessions on American good.
entering Cuba.
. The hearings will continue tomor
row.