The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-23
SUGAR in ERESTS
HEARD YES ]ERDAY
Protest Against Reduction Of
Traffic on Sugar.
SHARP TILT OF WORDS
Nlr. Richardson, of Tennessee, and sr..
Grosyeror. OF Ohio, Had Sharp Words
During the Hearing Before Ways
and Means committee.
(Dy Associated rress.l

hearings on Cuban reciprocity were re-
suIned before the Ways and Means Com
1nittee to-day. The beet sugar interests
of the United States occupied most OF
the time, being represented by Henry L.
Oxnard, president Of the American Beet
Sugar Association, and by delegations
from those States interested in the pro-
duction OF sugar from beets. The cane
sugar interests Of Louisiana also were
we'll represented, and Chairman Payne
arranged to give them a part Of the
time.
at the outset Mr. Place, head of the
Cuban delegation, made a statement TO
clear up misapprehensions on Cuba's po-
sition. He had argued for free trade,
he said, as that was the earnest wish OF
Cuba. But while this was the judgment
of che Cuban people, he said, they de-
ferred to the Judgment of the American
Congress on the whole question
Mr.. Oxnard made an extended state
meIt of the position of the Beet Sugar
Association. He said beet sugar pro-
ductlon represented a vast industry
brought into existence by the legislation
of Congress which had invited capital to
invest 10 an extent little realized. Al
ready the industry was flourishing in
eleven States with many people employ
cd and prospects OF rapid development.
Continuing, he said.
VICIOUS PROPOSITION.
Stripped of sentimentality and all ex-
traneous considerations and reducing the
Cuban demands for free or freer sugar
to its simplest equation, it is this: Shall
the United States, through it's agricul-
tuISts, produce its raw sugar, and in its
factories scattered from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. ref!ne it's products, or shall
it permit foreign lands to export to it
the raw material and content itself mere
ly with the refining? That is what I fear
would eventually come to pass if you
interfere in any way at the present time
with the existing production OF home
sugar"
Mr. Oxnard characterized the Cuban
proposition as most vicious and asked
why it was that the American sugar in
terest should be singled out for sacrifice
= Mr.. Oxnard severely criticised the Amer
lean Sugar Trust and II. 0. Have,reyer.
Chairman Payne asked Mr.. Oxnard as
to the report that he had suggested an
agreement with the Cubans. Mr.. OXnard
answered that no such agreement had
been made. There had been a discus
sion during which it was suggested that
if Congress decided to grant concessions
to Cuba it should be in the form of
rebate. He also denied that there was
any trust in the beet sugar industry.
SHARP TILT.
Representative Grosvenor, of OHIO. ahd
Representative Richardson, of Tennessee,
had a sharp exchange during Mr. Ok
nard's examination.
Mr.. Richardson referred to a statement
by the witness that the sugar trust IN
stigated the Cuban reciprocity measure.
Reading from President Roosevelt mes
sage recommending Cuban reciprocity,
Mr.. Richardson said: do you mean to
say that was instigated in any such
way?"
witness could answer
81 denounce such proceedings" said he
alphabetically, land 1 make point OF
order against such questioning
"Your announcement does not amount
TO anvthing'' replied Mr.. Richardson.
4This witness asserts that the sugar trust
instigates this movement III oet'ail "a
Cuba
1T is a plain effort to get the witness
to make an attack on the President"
declared Mr.. Grosvenor.
."rhat is not true" rejoined Mr.. klch-
ardson.
Mr.. Oxnard finally secured an opportu-
nifty to dsclaim any purpose OF rejecting
on the President. whose Recommendation
for Cuban reciprocity he believed was
due to not having al! the facts in his
possession.
While the hearing was going on a petit
ton was circulated On the floor OF the
House requesting the Ways and Means
Committee to make no change in the
tariff laws likely to injuriously affect
the beet sugar industry. About forty
five Republican members. from Michigan.
California. Indiana, Ohio. Kansas and
other beet producing States, signed the
petition. On the Democratic side the
Louisiana members and Mr.. Shafroth.
of Colorado. were among The signers.
Those in charge OF the petition expect TO
get seventy names before It is presented
to the Ways and Means Committee