The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-17

gar viii inure to the benefit OF the owners
, OF the sugar when imported.
The charge that this legislation is in
the interest OF the sugar trust has been
made in order TO prejudice public opinion
against the measure : regret this charge
has been made. for it is an allegation
that President Roosevelt is either know
ingly urging legislation that Will benefit
enc Of the greatest trusts Of the coun-
try, or is unable 10 understand the re-
suits that viii follow President Roose-
welt is not urging legislation that VIII
benefit any trust or combination His
record on that subject is clear. He has
directed that the Sherman antitrust law
be enforced against all violators. and he
IS the last man in public life who can be
charged with being interested directly or
indirectly in helping any trust.
Attacks on the President.
1T was to be expected that sooner or
( later his political opponents would en-
deavor to attack the presidents record
on trusts. I regret that persons of the
same political faith as President Roose-
welt should accuse him of urging Con-
gress TO enac Legislation in the interest
of trust.
This charge was first made early in
the consideration OF the question. when il
| was alleged that the sugar trust owned
al the sugar in Cuba This was proven
TO be false before the senate committee
! and since that time no one could truth
/ fully make the charge. Persons who
owned stock in the sugar trust may also
own sugar lands in Cuba as they do beet
eoct,-ss- ~ csofo-a.7o ,~,.7 NF--r.---,-.
The sugar trust is interested in the fu-
/ ture production OF sugar in Cuba 1t re-
fines the raw product and must depend
on countries that produce cane sugar.
L does not want Cuba to get out OF the
business of producing sugar any more
than the millers of Kansas want the
farmers to go out of the business Of rails
ing wheat.
1T has been clearly demonstrated that
any concession that may be made on
Cuban sugar viii inure to the benefit OF
the owner OF the sugar, who is the Cuban
producer, and not the sugar trust. All
these charges Of the interest of the sugar
trust in this legislation had been made
before President Roosevelt sent his spec
It'll message to Congress He answered all
Of them in that mes jage and urged Cor
gress to enact this legislation.
The people know President Roosevelt
They know he is honest. lie 1oes the
right as he sees it. He believes in the
elevation of the public service. No amount
of pressure or insistence can cause him
to appoint unfit or dishonest men TO Of
fee. There is no power stron genough
to induce him to favor a measure that
= g@ Ia
know this, and the charge has not in
jured him in the least. It win only dam
age those who have made it.
Reciprocity Will Benefit Us.
ct is claimed that Cuba should be made
self-reliant and that we should inform
the Cubans that, having given them po-
litical freedom, at a grea tsacrifce of life /
and treasure, we VIII now relieve our
selves Of all further responsibility, and /
treat them as We do the people of other 4
countries.
To hear the opponents Of reciprocity. /
one would imagine that we were giving 4 +
great benefit to Cuba without and AIDE +
quate return. What is the situation 4
Cubas principal product is sugar CT (
which we import large quantities and /
produce but small part Of our consump- |
ton Cuba does not produce wheat. corn /
or cattle, and if we will permit the Cuban /
sugar TO come into this country at a re
duction, a concession will be made on our
products going into Cuba. so we will
have the entire trade of that island. That
trade amounts now 10 about SO, 100000 an
nually, but. with profitable prices for
sugar, that trade viii increase to $4,000
300 or S2O000000 annually. They say TO
US: You can have our trade nf you viii
reduce the tariff on sugar, so that we
can sell it at a profit
This concession VIII not impair the
protection now afforded the beet sugar
producers. Who will be benefited in the
United States? The millers OF Kansas
understand the subject, and they have
recently expressed themselves in their
state convention in favor Of this measure.
Theq know that under reciprocity with
Cuba, our -four trade with that island
increased enormously in the years in
which the agreement was IN force. The
,orn and cattle farmers Of Kansas were
surely injured when the Armour and
swift packing firms left the island Of
cuba a few weeks since. They will be
benefited when these companies return
Is they will do under reciprocity.
The farmers and manufa cturers Of
Kansas are deeply interested in the trade
# Cuba. The benefits that will accrue to
hem make it advisable for the United
states in the intrests Of its own citizens.
nd in the enlargement and expansion Of
IS own trade, to enter into reciprocal
rade relations with the island OF Cuba.
Beet Sugar Industry.
I believe that under irrigation the
eet sugar industry of the United States
vii thrive and prosper. I would not
axe course that would lnjure this In
ustry or retard its progress. but I real
ze that for years to come. we must inn
ort sugar from other countries and ] be-
eve We should 50 arrange our tariff
chedules that cuba shall have the pref
renee. and that the sugar industry in
hat island shall thrive and prosper. in
tead Of going 70 ruin. DO not favor
ne farmer as against another. but do
acosnize that ne corn wheat ard cattle Z
lterests of Kansas Ear excel in import :
nee The sugar beet industry. and while I
is not necessary % choose between Z
lese producers. yet I vil az All times
lvor legislation that viii benefit Kansas =
irmers who raise our wheat. corn ard q
ittle
Protection and Reciprocity.
Ar advocate Of reciprocity with Cuba
not an appostate 20 protection. The
IAN who made the Dinghy Law were