Evening star., 1902-04-25
TELLER'S RESOLUTION
TO INVESTIGATE THE CUBAN
SUGAR TRADE.
Adopted by Senate Committee Today
Information Expected-Inquiry
to Be Pushed.

The Senate committee on relations with
Cuba today reported the Teller resolution to
investigate certain features of the Cuban
sugar trade. The resolution provides as
follows:
Portions Stricken Out.
The action of the committee was favor
able only to the first half of the resolution,
which provides for an inquiry affecting the
present holdings of Cuban sugar. 1t was
decided to strike out that portion of the
resolution requiring an investigation of the
| normal cost of making sugar in Cuba and
also into the general question of reciprocity
| with Cuba. The committee held that those
questions are always before the committee,
and that to adopt that portion of the reso-
luton would be equivalent to instructing
the committee to perform it's ordinary
duties.
subcommittee, consisting of Senators
Platt (Conn), Burnham and Teller, was
appointed to hear the testimony Senator
Platt announced that it Is his purpose to
extend all facilities to those making the
charge that the Cuban planters would not
get the benefit Of the proposed reduction
| in duties, to prove those charges, adding
| that he would do all in his power to render
the inquiry exhaustive.
Whereas 1t has been currently reported
| that nearly the entire crop of Cuban sugar
| has been purchased and is now held by
what Is generally known as the sugar
trust, which is the principal consumer of
raw sugar in the United States, and that
any concessions given to the raisers of cane
sugar in the Island of Cuba or any meas
| ures intended for their relief by admitting
their sugar at reduced rates of duty into
| the United States will only benefit the said
sugar trust, and that the Cubans will re-
ceive no real benefit from such concessions
and
Whereas 1t is alleged that large num-
Der OF citizens of the United States have
acquired large holdings of cane-producing
lands In Cuba, and are now especially urg-
| ing the reduction Of duty on sugar under
| the claim that such reduction will benefit
the people of Cuba; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the committee on rela-
tions with Cuba be, and is hereby, direct
| ed to make an investigation as to the truth
of such charges and to report to the Sen
ate" The resolution authorizes the COM
mittee to send for persons and papers and
administer oaths.
Information Expected.
The resolution was reported with the aid
of votes of senators favoring the Cuban
reciprocity bill They believe that the in
formation elected by the inquiry will sus-
tain the contentious of the friends Of the
bill and refute the charges made by the
opposition.
The inquiry will be conducted expedf-
tiously, and will not be permitted to delay
action on the Cuban reciprocity bill. The
advocates of reciprocity say they expect
no unusual delay In reporting the bill to
the Senate, and will see to it that the in
vestigation does not hamper the main work
in hand.
1t is understood that IL great deal Of the
information sought by the resolution is in
the possession of the Wa- Department, and
can be furnished readily.
Mr.. Platt (Conn.) subsequently reported
the resolution to the Senate and 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on contingent ex-
penSeS.