Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-01-30
WAR TAXES AND SUGAR DUTY.

The discussion before the ways and
means committee Of the House Of Rep
fesentatiyes on the question Of reci'
procty with Cuba, appears 10 have
sheyed for The present We were In
hopes that the matter would be de.
clded 80 iar ~ the committee could
settle H. without delay The prolonga-
tion Of the dispute keeps important lin-
aneial and industrial affairs IN an ur-
settled state, which Ia always unpleas-
ant ana to some extent injurious.
However, we think the cause Of the
postponcment comes from very Inn
portant consideration. The reduction OF
the war taxes, which VIII greatly affect
the revenue Of the country, Is SUBJ
ject that Is not only OF moment but is
Immediately pressing. II should prob
ably have place In advance OF the tariff
question as 20 Cuba Internal revenue
taxes should certainly be regulated By
the needs OF the government, what.
ever may be argued as TO the tariff on
Imports.
There Is no good reason why internal
revenue taxes should be kept up above
the needs Of the treasury A surplus
obtained from euch source Is unnec-
essary and oppressive The taxes i'm.
posed under the stress OF war and the
expenses arising from It, however bur-
densome win be borne with compare
tive compialsance by the body OF the
people. But when the actual need Ia
past their continuance becomes obnox-
ious and needless.
When the reduction that can safely
be made is attended TO, then the Ques-
ton Of duties on imports can be taken
up and the principle Of reciprocity be
brought into action. This should be
done IN the interest of the United
States as well as that Of any country
with which such relations are proposed
10 be established, II IL all right TO
benefit Cuba, but It would be all wrong
TO do that at the expense Of gripping
home industries and breaking down
Investments of home capital IN home
enterprises.
In the hearing before the committee
on Wednesday, a statement was made
by DR. II, W. Wiley. chief Of the bureau
OF chemistry department Of agrlcul-
ture, which was not only interesting
and instructive from a scientific point
OF view. but introduced new phase OF
the question that broadened the scope
Of the inquiry. He referred to the eff
feet Of the European inducements for
the production Of sugar, and showed
that the Cuban difficulty arose. not
from the tariff duties Of the United
States, but from the sugar interests Of
European countries and that the place
20 plead the Cuban cause was rather
before the congress at Brussels, than
the committee now investigating the
matter in the United states, His whole
argument was replete with good points
ana they We're oil favorable to the home
beet-sugar interest. His testimony is
welghty and well worthy Of general
consideration.
When the matter comes up for final
action In Congress. we are OF the firm
opiaon that the good sense Of our ma
tlonal statesmen VIII prevent the adop-
tlon Of any regulation which would be
likely TO ruin any interest Of our own
country, for the benefit Of few island
ers, or rather to foster and fatten a
huge trust which has no other object
IN view than It's own enrichment. The
beet-sugar people OF the United States
may rest assured that nothing win be
done which VIII materially hinder the
progress Of their great and growing in
dustry.