New-York tribune., 1902-01-23
OXNARD HAS A HEARING
SAYS CONCESSIONS TO CUBA WOr1D
RUIN THE. BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY.
HEAD OF CUBAN DELEGATION TELLS
WHAT THE ISLAND DwANTs-PETITION
AGAINST TARIFF CHANGES

HEAD OF CUBAN DELEGATION TELLS
WHAT THE ISLAND wANTs-PETITIoN
AGAINST TARIFF CHANGES.
Washington, Jan. 22.-The hearings on Cuban
reciprocity were resumed before the Ways and
Means Committee to-day. The beet suear in
terests or the United States occupied most of the
time being represented by Henry T. Oxnard
president of the American Beet Sugar Associa-
uon and by delegations from those States in
tereSted IN the production of sugar from beets
The cane sugar interests of Louisiana also were
well represented, and Chairman Payne arranged
TO give them part of the time
while the hearing was in progress a petition
was circulated on the floor of the House re-
questlng the Ways and Means Committee to
make no change in the tariff laws likely to affect
the beet sugar industry injuriously. About for
ty-hve Republican members from Michigan Cal
! ifornia. Indiana, Ohio, Kansas and other beet
producing States signed the petition. On the
Democratic side the Louisiana members and
MT Shafroth, of Colorado were among the
signers Those in charge OF the petition expect
to get seventy names before it is presented to
the committee.
AT the outset Mr. Place. head of the Cuban
delegation. made a statement to clear up mis-
apprehensiOns on Cuba's position He had ar
gued for free trade. he said. as that was the
Judgment of the Cuban people, they deferred to
the Judgment of the American Congress on the
whole question. He added
We want what you will grant, asking no more
advantage. nor as much. as are able to con-
cede to your producers. Without suggestion as
10 limitations we leave to your craftsmanship
the relations which to prevail between us.
The sovereignty is yours over both alike. and
your determination will be accepted by us as
tulIy and freely as by the American people
themselves.
MIR. OXNARD'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Oxnard made an extended statement of the
position of the beet sugar association He said
the beet sugar production represented vast in
dustry brought into existence by the legislation
Of Congress, which had invited capital to invest
to an extent little realized Already the indus
try was fiOurshing in eleven States. with many
people employed and prospects of rapid develop
ment. Continuing, he said
Stripped of sentimentality and all extrane-
Gus considerations. and reducing the Cuban
demands for free freer sugar to its simplest
equation, 1t is this: Shall the United States,
through its agriCulturists produce its raw sugar,
and in it's factories, scattered from the Atlantic
to the Pacific refine its products, or shall it
permit foreign lands to export to II the
material and content itself merely with the re-
Hhlhs Ihat Is what Tear would eventually
come TO pass if you interfere in any way the
present time with the existing production of
home sugar. Capital is timid to great degree.
and should Congress decide that Cuban sugar
must be helped, at the expense OF American beet
sugar, then 1t will at first hesitate and
eventually turn its back upon the future further
development Of beet sugar and throw its full
force into the tropical island which we have
duly favored and stimulated. Sugar production
in Cuba to-day Is firmly established, and the
chief industry of the island. Even our enemies
must admit that beet sugar is al the very in
ception of its development In the United States
Mr.. Oxnard characterized the Cuban PROPOSE
ton most vicious and asked why it was that
the American sugar interests should be singled
out for sacrifice. He severely criticised the
American Sugar Trust and II. O. Havemeyer
Chairman Payne asked Mr.. OXnard as TO the
report that he had suggested agreement with
the Cubans Mr.. Oxnard said that no such
agreement had been made. There had been
discussion. in which it was suggested that If
Congress decided 10 grant concessions 70 Cuba
It should be in the form of a rebate. He also
denied that there was any trust in the beet
sugar industry.
GROSVENOR AND RICHARDSON FIGHT.
Representative Grosvenor OF Ohio. and Rep
resentative Richardson, of Tennessee, had a
sharp controversy. Mr.. Richardson referred TO
a statement by the witness that the Sugar Trust
instigated the Cuban reciprocity movement
Reading from President Roosevelts message
recommending Cuban reciprocity. Mr. Richard
said: do you mean to say that was IN
stigated in any such way?"
Mr. Grosvenor intervened before the witness
could answer Il denounce such proceedings
said he emphatically, and | make a point OF
order against such questioning
Your announcement does not amount 10 any
thing" replied Mr.. Richardson This witness
asserts that the Sugar Trust instigates this
movement in behalf Of Cuba.
1T is a plain effort to get the witness to make
an attack on the President" declared Mr.. Gros-
VenOr
THAT is not true" rejoined Mr.. Richardson
Mr.. Oxnard finally secured an opportunity 10
dsclaim any purpose OF reiiectlng on Ine fIesi-
dent, whose recommenda tion for CUBAN reci,
prDcity he believed, due to not having all
the facts in his possession
At the afternoon session Nathaniel Stewart
presented the case of the Michigan beet sugar
industry He said that S1IUOOOo was now IN
vested and this industry had grown up wltnin
three years. He argued that Congress had IN
duced the investment, and shoulu not ueStoS II
by granting concessions to Cuba.
- d. Smith. OF the Michigan Farmers lnsuS
tute, appeared at the request or tne Governor vi
Michigan to present the view of the FARMING IN
terests engaged in raising beets. He spoke In
opposition to Cuban concessions, as dld r. r
Hathaway. of Michigan, and Herbert Myrlck' ot
Ma Chusetts-
PROTESTS MADE TO THE PRESIDENT
Senators Foster and McEnery, Of Louisiana.
called at the White Houpse to-day with G w. |
Mott president of the New-Orleans National
Bank who presented to President Roosevelt
neti+ion of the New Orleans bankers, declaring
that a low rate of duty on sugar would cause J
serious harm and great financial loss to the +
sugar and allied interests Of Louisiana
The delegation Of the National Cigar Lear AS /
sociation that has been before the ways ana |
Means Committee of the House In opposition 10
the admission of Cuban tobacco at a low rate vi
duty called on the President to-day. Inc fresi-
dent Of the association said to Mr.. Roosevelt }
tbat the admission of Cuban tobacco at the pro- I
posed low rate would cause great loss TO the
rapidly developing and important tobacco inter
ests of the country. In the course OF the con
tho President said Ii was his desire !