Evening star., 1902-01-15
Mr.. Thurber's Statement,


Mr.. Francis B. Thurber of New York,
president of the United States Export AS
sociation, submitted statement to the
committee in behalf Of the proposed con-
cession
II am interested in this subject" he said,
primarily as a question of the good faith
of the United States toward Cuba; second,
to voice the interests of American produc-
ers and manufacturers, who, under proper
conditions, would find a very valuable
market in Cuba, and third. the interest OF
American consumers of sugar.
For many years l was one Of the largest
distributors of sugar ir the United States,
and am familiar with that industry. For
the past five years l have been president
of the United States Export Association,
whose object is to widen the market for
American products, and whose membership
comprises leading houses in ninety-eight
principal lines of industry, situated in
thirty-four states.
During the past year I have had occa-
sion to make a special study of the tariff
relations between Cuba and the United
States. with the result of arriving at the
belief that the greatest good to the great
est number of the people of both countries
will be SubServed by placing Cuba so far
nearly possible on the same basis as
Porto Rico and Hawaii and the same may
be said of the Philippine Islands.
Strange Determination.
Strange as 1t may seem, the Dingey
tariff imposes on the chief Cuban products
sugar and tobacco-a duty amounting to
about 100 per cent, while on the dutiable
products of all other countries imported
into the United States it averages about 80
per cent. This is anomalous in itself, and Is
rendered still more so by our changed re-
lations to Cuba, which virtually make her
the ward of the nation. She has accepted
the Platt amendment, which imposes upon
her duties and Obligations which prevent
her from making advantageous treaties
with other countries; and, as stated by
President Roosevelt, every consideration of
duty and interest demands that Cuba should
have liberal treatment at our hands.
Opposed to Sugar Interests.
This is opposed by our domestic beet and
cane sugar interests, who have been making
enormous profits under the excessive pro-
lection afforded them by our present tariff.
"The beet sugar interests are on record,
over their own signature, In a letter to
their bankers, that they could prosper un-
der absolute free trade: and it is estimated
by good authorities that in factories favor
ably situated they have been making a
profit of about two cents pound, with
lesser margin in less favored localities;
which they now bring forward as an argu-
ment why concessions should not be made
in the tariff Cuban products, which Is
somewhat like arguing that the tariff
should be high enough to make the grow
ing Of bananas under glass profitable.
shOrt-SiEhted Policy.
81 am a republican and a protectionist
but there is reason in all things; and I be-
lieve that there should be a power above
unreasoning protectiouists to say what Is
reasonable.
The permanency OF protective tariff Will
largely depend on this, and l contend that
it is shortsighted on the part of our pro-
tected industries rot to recognize changed
conditions. and that unless they are rec
ogniZed there will come ground swell of
public opinion which will go TO extremes
on the other side and be disastrous to Ali
of our Industries. This was the view OF
William Mckinley, who could not be con-
sidered an enemy to American industries
1t is especially shortsighted on the part Of
our domestic sugar growers no. to be will
ing to make liberal concessions at the
present time in the tariff on Cuban prod
uctS.
There is an influential element in Cuba
today In favor Of annexation to the United
States. and IL this Is strengthened by dis
astrous industrial conditions in Cuba that
day will be hastened. and with absolute free
trade between Cuba and the United States
our beet sugar industries would be In the
position Of that man whose last state was