The Washington times., 1902-03-12
Mr.. BRAN9LEY FLAYS
BEET SUGAR INTERESTS
Their View of Cuban Conces-
sion Narrow and Restricted.
HAVE NO RIGHT TO OBJECT
Says Reduction of Bounty of Ten Million
on Sugar Finds a Market for Thirty
seven Millions of Other Products.

| Under the latitude of general debate in
/ the Committee Of the Whole. the House
| yesterday listened to two speeches On the
| Cuban reciprocity question from minority
members.
Mr.. Brantley of Georgia advocated
reduction of one-third or one half of the
| duty on sugar from Cuba. Mr. Meyer of
Louisiana opposed it.
Before going into committee there was
a little furry in the House over the at
tempt by Mr.. Thayer (Dem.. Mass.) to get
resolution of enquiry before it. in the
guise of question Of privilege. 1t was
promptly ruled out of order. and on ap-
peal that ruling was sustained by yea
ana nay vote.
1t was the Postoffice appropriation bill
that was nominally before the commit
tee.
Duty to Grant Relief.
Mr.. Brantley Dem, Ga.) was given IN
opportunity to set forth the views Of the
thirty or forty Democrats who favor
making tariff concessions to Cuba He
said it was the duty of Congress to grant
the relief asked for Cuba, and believed
that ii ought to be a reduction of one
third or one-half the present duty on her
sugar.
II it were found that under that reduc-
tion the Sugar Trust was reaping undue
benefit. Congress had the power to re-
lieve that situation by reducing the duty
on refined sugar. Having this power. why
should Congress refuse to act?
Would Afford Relief Only.
Further than to afford the relief neces-
sary and to discharge the duty devolving
upon the United States, Mr.. Brantley
said. he would not go. There was no op-
portunity to vote for a reduction of the
duty upon articles the sugar producers
had to hny, and he would not, therefore,
remove all the duty on the only article
they had to sell.
But he believed the reduction to the ex-
tent he had suggested could be made,
enabling the country to discharge its OBJ
legation to Cuba without doing injury to
anyone.
A Reciprocal Arrangement
This country, he said. in its tariff taxes
was paying bounty Of ss5,00e,G00 year
to its sugar producers. And yet when it
was proposed to reduce that bounty by
only S1O, ,000 000. in order that market
might be found for s37,0O0,C COO of other
products, the sugar producers object.
IF there be an obligation to pay Cuba
anything" they say. pay it out of the
Treasury, net compel us TO pay
it,"
That is narrow and restricted view
to take of the matter. To speak of it
simply as a matter of benefit to Cuba is
cne-sided, partial. We proposed, Cuba
and it is the intention of the
reciprocal arrangement to help both Cuba
and the United States"
Senator Hanna on the Scene.
While Mr.. Brantley was speaking SEN
ator Hanna of Ohio came into the hall
and was speedily surrounded by an inter-
ested crowd of Representatives, upon
whom he urged SUPP ort of the PROPOSE
tion to reduce the duty on Cuban prod
lcts 20 per cent.
He was still thus engaged when Mr.. Hill
(Rep., Comm took the floor to have read
the report of committee of the New
York Chamber of Commerce, favoring the
bill reported by the Committee on Coin
age. Weights, and Measures to preserve
and maintain the gold standard. and to
make silver exchangeable for gold
Mr.. Sulzer (Dem., N. " asked;
Who is entitled to the floor. Mr.. Chair
man? The gentleman from Connecticut
or the Senator from Ohio?" GLaughtsr.i
Chairman Littleield-The gentleman
from Connecticut has the floor. Members
Will take their seats.
This broke up the informal gathering.