Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-12
ASKED 70 INVESTIGATE
Oxnard Wants Committee Sent
to Cuba to Investigate the
Sugar Situation.
General Woods Statement That
Cubans Produce Sugar at
Loss Denied.
Thinks the Governor Has Been
Misinformed and Suggests
Thorough Inquiry.

Washington, Feb. 12.-Mr. Coney i.
lCxnard, president of the American beee
Sugar Association, presented petition
! to the ways and means committee ask
ing TINT a committee be sent to Cuba to
the sugar situation.
He quotes the letter of Gen. Wood to
the senate, in which the governor says
that it costs 2 cents pound to produce
sugar in Cuba, and that the selling
price is approximately lie cents per
pound. giving the Cubans an average
less of S120 sack on all sugar pro-
duced.
ONnard contends that the cost of SUI
gar production is not over LIZ cents per
round and quotes C. F, Saylor. expert
of the agricultural department, for
these figures. He quotes the selling
price of sugar In Havana on Jan. 80 as
191 cents, or s5.T3&, and says: THE
military governor of Cuba has been
n,isinformed. Sugar is now manufac-
tured and sold in Cuba at profit, so
there exists no possible justification for
the reduction of the present tariff on
unreined sugar coming from Cuba on
the ground that Cuban planters are
now manufacturing sugar at a loss"
Mr.. Oxnard continues: This ASSOC
citation claims that it is of the utmost
Importance in the interest of justice
and for the purpose of informing your
committee in congress and the people
of the United States of the exact facts
necessary for the settlement of this
question, that an impartial committee
appointed either by the ways and
means committee or in such other way
as may seem proper, shall be authorized
20 proceed to Cuba for the purpose of
obtaining the exact facts by the exami-
ration of the books and accounts of the
factories now engaged in the manufac-
ture of sugar in Cuba.
This association suggests that the
investigations of this committee will
be facilitated and the fullest public
confidence given its findings If the COM
mittee be authorized to invite repre-
sentative of this association, a repre-
sentative of the Cuban planters who
has appeared before your committee.
and a representative of the American
Cane Growers Association to accom-
pany the committee to Cuba and be
present ut its sessions and cross
examine the witnesses"
Mr.. Oxnard says that the Beet Sugar
Association submitted the details of ex-
penses in the manufacture of beet sugar
and also invited the committee to eX-
anime books and accounts. He thinks
that the Cuban planters and manufac-
turers should extend the same courtesy
What action will be taken Chairman
Payne can not state. He will submit the
.retition to the committee at the earli-
est meeting. So far no program has
been decided upon as to legislation for
Cuba. The protectionists are as deter
mined as ever to hold out against con-
ccssions that will affect the tariff rates,
and the beet sugar people insist that ii
anything is done for the Cubans the
same relief shall be granted to the
American beet farmers. Chairman
Payne Is engaged in preparing state
ment from the testimony committee,
which will show preponderance of
evidence against the contentious which
have been made that the Cubans will be
benefited by tariff reductions.
There Is no bill before the committee.
and it has not been determined what
shall be done with the Payne statement.
being collated chiefly for the presidents
information.