The Van Buren press., 1902-01-18
RECIPROCITY WITH CUBA.
Hearing by the House Ways ana
Means Committee on the
Subject.
THE VARIOUS INTERESTS INVOLVED.
Sugar Appears to BE the Principal
Product of Cuba that Calls for
Aid to Build Up and Maintain the
Industrial Prosperity of the Isl.
and.

Washington, Jan 16.--The ways
and means committee began hearings
on the subject of Cuban reciprocity
with large representation present
from the various interests which
would be affected by legislation Of
this character. The Cuban indus
tries were represented by Messrs.
Place, Mendoza, Dumois and Francke,
chosen by commercial organizations
in various parts of the island. The
American interests engaged in sugar
production in Cuba were represented
by Edwin F. Atkins, spokesman for
an organization controlling large
part of the sugar production OF the
island, Hugh Kelly, of New York,
and John f. Craig, of Philadelphia.
Vim. Haywood was present in behalf
of the Hawaiian sugar planters, and
Henry 7. Oxnard for the beet sugar
interests. The tobacco and other in
terests affected by Cuban production
also were well represented.
Chairman Payne stated at the out
set that the hearing was in reference
to that portion of the presidents
message relating to reciprocity with
Cuba. The committee first would
hear those favorable to Cuba, and
Mr.. Payne stated that the committee
desired to be informed as to the ef-
feet Of reciprocity both on Cuba and
on the people of the United States.
Edwin Parkinson, of Boston, made
the opening statement In behalf OF
reciprocity. He spoke of the enor'
nous over-production of sugar
throughout the world amounting to
about 100000 tons, which had re.
suited in crisis in the industry. Eu-
ropean countries had met this by
bounties. so that the German produc-
er, by means of bounty, was able to
sell sugar at half a cent per pound
below its cost of production The
cost of production in Cuba was &c
cents per pound, which was some-
what above the selling price. Mr. At
kins stated that there were now
about $50 1000 900 worth of standing
cane in Cuba, and at present prices u
considerable part of this would not
be harvested. While not an alarmist,
he said the effect would be serious
loss to the planters and the labor
employed. The loss to labor, he
thought, was likely to lead to dis
turbances. At the time set for the
withdrawal of the American troops
there would be, in his opinion, a de-
felt in the insular revenues, which
were largely recruited from the
sugar industry.
Mr.. Atkins stated that 50-per
cent. reduction of duties was de-
sired ON the various large products
Of the island, but In response to in
quiries from Mr., Payne he said that
the sugar industry felt they should
have l00-per cent. reduction. Mr..
Atkins stated that the opposition 20
Cuban reciprocity came from several
sources, namelyy the beet sugar in
dustry, the Hawaiian planters and
the sugar interests tf Porto Rico and
Louisiana, aggregating 100000 tons
production, TO Mr.. Payne he stated
that II very large percentage of the
Cuban sugar industry was owned by
citizens of the United States.
Aside from the advantage Of re-
ciprocity to Cuba, Mr.. Atkins main
tanned that II would be of material
advantage to the United States, in.
cluding reduction In the price OF
sugar TO the people.
Asked by Mr., Payne II his sugar
business was profitable last year, Mr.,
Atkins said he conceded that II had
been, but general inquiry among
planters showed that they had not
done n profitable business.