The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-01
MIR. PAYNE's REPORT.
Argument in Behalf of the Cuban Rec
iprocity Measure.

WASHINGTON, March s1.-Chairman
Payne to-day presented to the House the
report of the ways and means committee
on the Cuban reciprocity BILL which the
committee had ordered reported earlier in
the day. After reciting President Roose-
velt's recommended tions in behalf of Cuba
Mr.. Payne says: Our relations TO Cuba
are peculiar. In our declaration of war
with Spain and ever since we have solemn
" proclaimed TO the world that our object
was to give Cuba stable and independent
government. We have labored for more
than three years TO accomplish that result
and In this endeavOr we have spared no
expense. During the years of prepara-
tiOn We have given her an example of the
benefit OF Law and good order of cleanli-
ness and OF the preservation of the public
health, and or good government generally
She has organized her government under A
constitution and is now ready to launch
forth among the nations of the earth I'm the
month OF May.
MIR. Payne explains the depressed condi-
tiOn of the Cuban sugar industry as due
TO the worlds overprOduction of sugar. and
says: This condition threatened grave
disaster 10 this, the principal industrial
product of Cuba. IL is true that labor in
cuba IS. and for the past few months has
been, fully employed at fair wages, that
there has been no distress; but a trust
worthy writer. an American not interested
IN sugar. and careful observer says. un-
OF Cuba are not actually suffering from
lack of food, the planters and business men
are on the verge OF collapse and bank
ruptcy, and are anXiOusly hoping for con-
cessiOns In the United States tariff in order
that they may receive new life and hone
The merchants have large sums OF money
trusted out, and are not paying each other.
They are simply holding each other nm i'm
the hope of obtaining relief and If fail
ures. once begin they will run like Wild
FIRE.
''All the evidence received before the COM
ulittee points 10 a conclusion that the
crisis threatened involves the most serious
consequences. This threatened financial
distress comes al the very time We are
about 10 set the Cuban government up i'm
business on its own account. We have per
formed the part OF a guardian up To the
present moment, and are about TO send the
ward forth into the world. We cannot af-
ford 10 take the risk of her failure IL a
little timely aid will insure success
The report adds that we are bound TO
care for our own people. but after review
Ing the American sugar situation saws: 'sIt
rcsn work no injury 10 our industry II we
make this small reduction on Cuban sugars
The enactment OF this bill does not affect
the protection OF the sugar producers of
the United States There is no reasonable
pretense that the same reduction on other
Cuban products Will injure any other Amer
fcan industry.
The report asserts that the planters and
not the rehneries will receive the benefits
OF the reduction. and adds: Cuba does
not come simply a mendicant nor should
she be treated as such. She offers a good
trade Ia return. This she Is willing To con-
cede. Under the provisions OF the bill We
should be able 10 double the amount of
our export trade with Cuba. which amounts
70 80. 100 more than that obtained in
the last fiscal year. In this connection
the report says: 1T Is a happy circum-
stance that without any injury 10 our own
Industries and without the loss OF ANYTHING
except seven or eight million dollars of
revenue. which we do not need We arc
able 70 extend this relief 10 Cuba and at
the same time get reciprocal trade rela-
lions with her. Aside from the exceptional