Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-23
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
lEi-s. . naxss&. 49,.
Beet Sugar Industry Presents
Claims. to Committee.
SX'e~s z.
Sharp Exchange Between Grosvenor
ard Richardson During Hearing.
&c ii
E>sner Heads OH Attempt 10 Lead Witness 10
Attack President.

Washington, Jan. 22.-The hearing on
Cuban reciprocity was resumed before
the ways and means committee, today.
The beet sugar interests of the Unit
ID States occupied most of the time, be-
ing represented by Henry T. Oxnard.
president of the American Beet Sugar
Association. and delegations from those
states interested in the production of
sugar from beets. The cane sugar in
terests Of Louisiana also were well rep
resented and Chairman Payne arrang
"a TO give them part Of the time.
AT the outset Mr.. Place head of the
cuban delegation. made a statement to
clear up misaprehensions on Cuba's po-
sition. He had argued for free trade,
ne said as that was the earnest wish of
cuba. But while this was the judg
mcnt Of the Cuban people. he said, they
deferred to the judgment of the Ameri-
IAN Congress on the whole question.
Mr.. Oxnard made on extended state
ment on the position of the Beet sugar
Association. He said:
stripped of sentimentality and all
extraneous considerations, and reduc-
ing the Cuban demands for free or
freer sugar to its simplest equation, it
is this: Shall the United States through
its agriculturalists produce it's raw SUI
gar and in it's factories scattered from
the Atlantic to the Pacific refine its
products, or shall it permit foreign
lands to export to it the raw material
ana content itself merely with the re-
fning?"
Mr.. Oynard characterized the Cuban
proposition as most vicious and asked
VIII. it was that the American sugar
interests should be singled out for
sacrifice.
MI OXnard criticised the American
sugar trust and II. o. Havemeyer.
Chairman Payne asked Mr.. OXnard
as to the report that he had suggested
an agreement with the Cubans. Mr.
Oxnard answered that no such agree
ment had been made He also denied
that there was any trust in the beet
sugar industry.
Representative Grosvenor of Ohio.
and Representative Richardson of Ten
nessee. had a sharp exchange during
Mr. Oxnards explanation. Mr. Rich
ardson referred to a statement by the
witness that the sugar trust" instiga-
ted the Cuban reciprocity movement.
Reading from President RoOsevelt's
message recommending Cuban recipro-
city, Mr.. Richardson said: DO you
mean to say that was instigated in any
such way?"
Mr.. Grosvenor interviewed before the
witness could answer: II dcnounce
such proceedings" said he, emphati-
,allv land I make a point Of order
against such questioning"
Your announcement does not amount
to anything" replied Mr.. Richardson.
This witness asserts that the sugar
trust inStsated this movement in be
half of Cuba
1T is a plain effort to get the witness
to make an attack on the President"
declared Mr.. GroSvernor.
THAT is not true" rejOined Mr.. Rich
ardson
Mr.. Oxnard finally secured an oppor-
tunity to disclaim any purpose of re-
tiecting on the President, whose recon-
mendation for Cuban reciprocity he be
lieved was due to not having all the
facts in his possession. The hearing
was adjourned at noon until l.30 p. NJ.
AT the afternoon session, Nathaniel
Stewart presented the case of the
Michigan Beet sugar industry. He said
that $7.100.O0O was now invested and
this industry had grown up within
three years. He argued that Congress
had induced the investment and should
not destroy it by granting concessions
10 Cuba.
G. ID. Smith of the Michigan Farm
els Institute. appeared at the request
OF the governor of Michigan to present
the view of the farming interests en-
gagged in raising beets. He spoke in OPP
position to Cuban concession, as did +,
a.
Myiick of Massa chusettS.