The Washington times., 1902-01-23

received at the War Department from rep
resentatiye citizens of Cuba, appealing
for immediate action by Congress in the
way of tariff concessions in accordance
with the recommendation of the Presi
dent and the Secretary of War.
Gov. Wood Urges Prompt Relief.
In forwarding these kilograms, Gov
ernor General Wood adds his personal
opinion that something should be done at
once in order to prevent distress and
starvation among the Cuban people.
Notwithstanding this urgent prayer.
which is but one of many on file, it is
not yet clear what course Congress will
pursue. The Ways and Means Committee
of the House are now giving hearings TO
those representing both sides of the
question. and the Senate is waiting for
the House to act.
There would be no doubt about prompt
action by Congress in the line of tariff
concessions TO Cuba were it not for the
fight that is being made by the beet sugar
interests of the United States. These in
fluences are so powerful that already it
has become doubtful whether the Ways
embodying the views and desires OF the
Administration. But there is little doubt
that the Senate will take action, even If
the House does not.
The Senator's from the beet sugar
States say that they will prevent the
passage Of legislation making tariff con-
cessions to Cuba. 1t is. however. not
likely that they can make good their
threat to defeat any measure that may
come over from the House or be pro-
posed in the Senate.
The Purpose of the Administration.
Whatever Cuban tariff legislation is
c-acted. it is the desire of the Admins
Il alton that it shall not become effective
until after the Cuban people set up their
independent government. In the mean
time. however. Cuba VIII get the Indirect
benefit OF such law, should it be passed,
which would serve as an announcement
to the world that the United States means
to carry ont the spirit as well as the
letter of the Plat amendment upon
which the Cuban Government now rests.
and give her such material assistance as
she stands so deeply in need of. and
sne will need still more keenly when
Cuba attempts to stand before the world
as a free Republic.
Such q law as is aimed at will. in fact.
give Cuba credit in the financial world.
1t will be in effect an advance notice that
a contract has been entered into between
the United States and Cuba, and it is
thought will be Of great material benefit
to both countries.
But in the eyes of President Roosevelt
and Secretary Root there is one para
mount reason why Congress should pass
the legislation they nave recommended
that has been entirely lost sight of in the
discussion of the Cuban question in Con-
gress. The President and his Secretary
of War think that legislation dealing hon
orably and justly and magnanimously with
the people of Cuba is necessary in order
TO make ii possible for the United States
to let go with dignity and honor when
the time comes. as il IS coming soon, fer
the United States and Cuba to part COM
pany.
Gov. Wood Not to Appear.
Governor General Wood is very active
in urging the needs of the Cuban people
but he viii not. as has been reported
be sent for to personally give his views
and opinions to the Ways and Means
Committee. This will be done by Col
Tasker II. Bliss, the collector Of customs
at Havana, who has been summoned to
appear before the committee by its chair
man. Mr.. Payne.
A Petition Against COncessions.
petition signed by the bankers OF
New Orleans, asking that no concessions
in the existing tariff schedule on Cuban
sugar be made, was presented TO the
President yesterday by G. W. Mott, presi-
Mt of the Citizens Bank in the Crescent
:. The petition presents arguments
ainst tariff concessions similar to those
ct forth by various delegations of sugar
aisers who have appeared before the
House Committee on Ways and Means.
Advocates of the beet sugar interests
consumed the entire day allotted them
yesterday by the Committee on Ways and
Means. the subject for discussion being
Cuban reciprocity.
The usual monotony OF the proceedings
was relieved by sharp collo4uy between
TWO members Of the committee, Repre-
sentative Richardson. the Democratic
floor leader. and Representative Gros-
venor OF Ohio. regarding President Roose-
velts message favoring concessions to
Cuba.
Sugar Trust FInycd.
The beet sugar representatives attract
ed unusual attention by the bitterness Of
their attacks on the Sugar Trust. and the
name most mentioned in the testimony
was that of II. |. Havemeyer, whose
methods were severely criticised by all
the Witnesses.
W. II. Stewart, president of the Kala-
mazOo Beet Sugar Company, caused con-
siderable enthusiasm by his vigorous
championship of American industries. the
members of the committee joining in the
applause.
Outside of the argument declaring that
any reduction in the tariff on sugar meant
simply a profit TO the Sugar Trust and not
a benefit to the consumer, the beet sugar
men brought prominently to the attention
of the committee the labor problem in
volyed. They said that any concession to
Cuba meant an increased supply of sugar
from that island, which meant the inn
portation Of labor. and as the planters
would turn to the cheapest source OF sup
ply fer their labor they would naturally
turn their attention to China.
Wage Earning Competition.
This meant a renewal of the Spanish
policy of twenty-five years ago With
this semi-seryile element. the cheapest
yage-workers in the world, the American
producer could not compete with the
planters in Cuba.
The committee was told that a reduc-
tion of p per cent in the tariff would
mean absolute ruin TO every beet-sugar
factory in the United States, represent
ing an outlay OF sl3O. O.000. 600.
The first witness yesterday was Hen
ry T. 0xnard, of California, president
Of the American Beet Sugar Company and
the original manufacturer of beet sugar
in the United States. Mr.. Oxnard's argu-