The Washington times., 1902-01-19
TARIFF FIGHT
ON BEET SUGAR.
Home CultiVatOrS Seek Pre-
lection From Cuba.
MEMORIAL FILED WITHPRESIDENT
Michigan Delegation Quotes From
Republican National Platform
Tax Reduction said TO Spell Ruin
for the American Indusfry-Con-
gres> VIII lie Appealed To.

The position of beet sugar cultivators
was very clearly and emphatcaliy eX-
pressed TO the President yesterday by Rep
resentative W Alden Smith, of Michigan.
Mr.. Smith headed a delegation of beet
sugar cultivators from the Wolverine
State
In presenting a memorial on the subject
10 the President, Mr.. Smith protested
against any reduction of the tariff on Gu
ban sugar. Such a reduction, he said,
would he harmful TO the interest OF he
beet sugar industry in this country.
Smith Files Objections.
His remarks were prom?tedsby the state
ment of President Roosevelt that he dc
sired to do something for the relief OF
Cuba. Mr.. Smith declared that there vas
no reason why relief, ii needed. should be
afforded the island at the cost of injury
to the beet sugar industry.
Appropriations from the Treasury would
be preferable. he said. to the reduction of
the tariff.
i memorial was presented which quoted
the plank of the Republican platform in
1856 and 1900 which advocated protection
for the beet sugar industry. The memo
rial then says:
in fulfllment Of this promise Con-
gress passed the Dirgley law, which went
into effect in July. 1897 Within two
months thereafter the contract was let
for the first beet sugar factory in Mich
igan. Since that time twelve factories
have been cree ed and four are in course
of construction. The capital invested is
s10.50O. coo. In 1898 Michigan paid s700O.
eco to the Sugar Trust for sugar con-
sumed. In 1901 her own factories pro-
duced 125. 1861 600 pounds of granulated su-
gar or so per cent for which she received
s5.5f7 800. Beets now under contract for
the season of 1902 will increase the output
to 1901 ,00c pounds, or "a per cent above
her consumrr'Cn
Cannot stand Tariff Reduction.
The memorial concludes as follows
We cannot stand any reduction in the
tariff on raw sugar, especially as such re
duction will only serve to assist the Sugar
Trust, thereby furnishing them with in
creased funds with which to combat our
industry.
Because the Republican party has
always kept its promises, Michigan has
ever remained true to that party's prin-
ciples. Today her sons believe that the
sacred pledge given in 1895 and reaffirmed
in 1860, pledge upon which We have al
ready invested over s1O,0OO.OOO, will be
kept inviolate. We cannot believe that
the industry ihus inaugurated will be
ruined by the very political party which
gave it birth: that our seventeen fac
tories will be closed only to stand
monuments marking the power OF the
Sugar Trust in its ceaseless effort TO
crush competition.
Signerx of the Document.
This memorial was signed by W. L.
Churchill, president of the Michigan
Sugar Manufacturing Association; F. K.
Hathaway, of Alma, Mich; H. B. Cole
man and n. H. Stewart, of Kalamazoo; H.
B. Joy, of Detroit; y. B. Bradley. of Bay
City; ]. R. Mcpherson, of Saginaw, and
D. ]. Dukema.
Cuba Seeking Concessions.
Senor Quesada, representing the COM
nercial interests of Cuba, was closeted
with Secretary Hay at the State Depart
ment for some time. He is endeavoring
to secure for his people considerable con-
cessions in American tariffs on Cuban
sugar and tobacco.
AS soon as the independence of Cuba
is established, It will be necessary TO de-
fine diplomatic relations between the
island and this country. For this reason,
his consultations are with Secretary Hay
rather than with Secretary Root He
will also endeavor to impress his views
unnn members of CnuEreSS.