The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-23
Says Reciprocity Would XIII the SUI
gar Beet Industry, of Which He
Is Representative.
CRITICISEs THE SUGAR TRUST
AND INDIRECTLY ATTACKS THE AT.
TITUDE OF THE PRESIDENT.
Hearings Before the Committee or
Ways and Means-DeIegatiOna at
the White House.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22-The hearing on
Cuban reciprocity was resumed before the
ways and means committee to-day. The
beet sugar interests of the United States
occupied most of the time, being reported
by Henry T. Oxnard president of the
American Beet Sugar Association, and del
egates from those States interested in the
production of sugar from beets. The cane
sugar interests of Louisiana also were well
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 the Cuban
position. He had argued for free trade,
he said, as that was the earnest wish of
Cuba. But while this was the judgment
Of the Cuban people, he said, they de-
ferred to the judgment of the American
Congress on the whole question. He added:
I'VE want what you will grant, asking
no more advantage, nor as much, We
are able to concede to your producers.
Without suggestion as to limitations, we
leave to your craftsmanship and the re-
lations which are to prevail between us.
The sovereignty is yours over both alike,
and your determination will be accepted
can people themselves"
Mr.. Oxnard made a statement of the
position of the beet sugar association. He
said beet sugar production represented
vast industry, brought into existence by
the legislation of Congress, which had in
Vited capital TO invest to an extent little
realized. Already, the industry was -four
ishing in eleven States, with many people
employed and prospects of rapid develop
lei q ri mod nf
Sentlmentality and all eXtraneouS consid-
erations and reducing the Cuban demands
Tor free or freer sugar to its simplest equa-
uOn, IL is, shall the United States through
its agriculturalists produce its raw sugar
and in its factories scattered from the At
lantic TO the Pacific refine its products, or
shall II permit foreign lands to export TO it
the raw material and content itself merely
with the refining. That is what L fear
would eventually come to pass if you in
terfere in any way at the present time
with the existing production of home
sugar. Capital is timid to q great de-
gree, and should Congress decide that Gu
ban sugar must be helped at the expense
or American beet sugar, then IL Will at
first hesitate and eventually turn its back
the future development of beet sugar
and throw its full force to the tropical
island which we have unduly favored and
stimulated. Sugar production in Cuba to-
day is firmly established and the chief in
dustry of the islands. Even our enemies
must admit that beet sugar is at the very
inception of it's development in the United
States"
Mr.. Oxnard characterized the Cuban
why ii was that the American sugar in
terest should be singled out for sacrifice.
He severely criticised the American sugar
trust and II. o. Havemyer.
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 discussion during
which ii was suggested that if Congress
decided to grant concessions TO Cuba. it
should be in the form of a rebate. He
also denied there was any trust in the
beet sugar industry.
Representative Grosvenor, of Ohio, and
Representative Richardson. of Tennessee,
had a sharp exchange during Mr.. OK
nard's examination. Mr.. Richardson re-
ferred to a statement by the witness that
the sugar trust instigated the Cuban re-
ciprOcity movement. Reading from PreSi-
dent ROOsevelts message recommending
Cuban reciprocity, Mr.. Richardson said:
do you mean to say that was instigated
in any such Way?'
Mr.. GrosVenOr interviewed before the wit
ness could answer. Il denounce such pro-
ceedngs. said he, emphatcally, land I
make a point of order against such ques-
Your announcement does not amount to
anything" replied Mr.. Richardson. This
witness asserts that the sugar trust in
stigates this movement in behalf of Cuba 8"
1T is a plain effort to get the witness to
make an attack on the President" declared
Mr.. GrosvenOr.
THAT is not true" rejoined Mr. Richard
son.
Mr.. Oxnard finally secured an opportu-
nifty to diSclaim any purpose of rejecting
on the President whose recommendation
for Cuban reciprocity. he believed was
due to not having all the facts in his pos
session.
Senators Foster and McEnery. OF I.ouisi
ana, called at the White House to-day
with CT. w. Mott president of the New Or
leans National Bank, who presented to
President Roosevelt petition of the New
Orleans bankers declaring that low rate
of duty sugar would cause serious harm
and great financial loss TO the sugar and
allied interests of Louisiana.
Nathaniel Stewart presented the case of
the Michigan beet-sugar industry. He said
that $4,000 was now invested, and this
industry had grown up within three years
He argued that Congress had induced the
investment and should not destroy 1t by
granting concessions to Cuba.
c. ID. Smith, of the Michigan Farmers In
stitute appeared at the request of the
Governor of Michigan to present the view
of the farming interests engaged in raising
beet sugar. He spoke in opposition to
Cuban concessions, did +. Z. Hathaway
of Michigan, and Herbert Myrick, of Mas
sachusetts.
While the hearing YVES going on a petit
tion was circulated on the floor of the
House requesting the ways and means
committee to make no change in the tariff
laws likely njuriOusly to affect the beet
sugar industry About forty-fve Repub-
GCdn members from MlcnlSan, 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 petit
ton expect to get seventy names before il
is presented TO the ways and means COM
mittee.
The delegation OF the National Cigar-leaf
Association that has been before the ways
and means committee OF the House, in
opposition to Cuban tobacco at low rate
of duty called on the President to-day.
The president of the association stated to
Mr. Roosevelt that the admission of Cuban
tobacco az the proposed low rate would
cause great loss TO the rapidly developing
and important tobacco interests of the
country. In the course OF the conversation
the President said il was his desire as
no doubt il was the desire OF Congress.
TO do the right thing in this matter, and
/ he hoped that great care would be shown
in the consideration Of this important ques-
ton.
HEARINGS AND NEW KILLS..