The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-18
AT THE CAPITAL.
Mr.. Curtis Bill to Reduce Duty
on Sugar.
Would Cut It to % Per Cent Of
DingIey Tariff.
BEET SUGAR PROTEST..
Producers Claim Act Win Injure
the Industry.
Claimed That It Will Not Affect
Them.
BEET SUGAR PROTEST.

I
gar and tobacco coming into the United
States from the Philippine islands;
making such duty equal Is per cent Of
the Dingley act rates.
On this bin, hearings are being had
by the house of representatives COM
mittee on ways and means, Of which
Mr. Curtis is a member, and the bill
VIII likely become a law comparatively
early in the session.
There has been considerable objection
to this bill by people engaged in the
production of sugar beets; on the theory
that reduction viii affect the Ameri-
can beet sugar industry. This is the
same course that was pursued in the
session of 1902, when the proposition
TO enter into reciprocity with Cuba was
proposed. Kansas, interested in the beet
sugar proposition, and alleged to be in
tereSted, but in reality stirred up by
the beet combine of Colorado, pounded
senator Long especially; he being then
IN the house Of representatives, a mem
Der Of the committee on ways and
means, and a leader in the proposition
for reciprocity with Cuba, and a con-
sequent reduction Of duties on merchan-
disc and products from that islar into
the United States. At that time Sena-
tor Long took the ground that the beet
sugar industry would not be injured by
the Cuban reduction: and even if it
would be, Kansas, not being in the SUI
gar beet raising region, as proved by
the reports of the department of agri-
culture, would not be affected
The same cry is being again repeated.
From western Kansas, including Fin
ney, Kearny, and Hamilton counties, is
coming a food of kilograms and petit
tons to Senator Long and Mr. Curtis
protesting against the Philinnine's re-
ductlOn OF duties. While many we'll
meaning gentlemen are participating in
this movement, it is a fact that much
NJ q aef q ffrra al
and Denver, Colorado, where the beet
sugar combine has headquarters.
There is no argument, however, that
is new, that can be used to prove that
reduction of tariff rates on sugar from
the Philippine islands will affect Kan
sas or the beet industry in general.
Mr. Curtis and Mr.. Long, as well as
Mr.. Scott, representative t-large, viii
not be frightened or affected in any
way by this hue and cry that is being
raised. These three Kansans were OF
the party of Secretary Of War Taft that
went to the Philippine ISLANDS during
the past summer and fan. and they
know full well the need Of encourage
meut to industries in the Philippine is
lands.
It is not. as the beet people win
claim a question of choosing which
you will cast your lot with-the Fill
pinos, or the American beet growers;
because every argument, sane and
foolish, was used along this same line
in the campaign over reciprocity with
Cuba four years ago. Evans proved
that the beet industry was not
harmed; but on the contrary, became
a very thriving and hardy industry
and prospered all over the country.
OF other bills by Kansans. Mr..
Campbell's bill to make private cars,
tank cars, etc, amenable TO the re-
strfctions affecting common carriers,
has been pretty thoroughly discussed
in Kansas papers, as well as in the
eastern press. Mr.. Campbell has met
with considerable encouragement in
the discussion Of his measure.
Mr.. Bowersock would. in a bill in
troduced by him, enlarge and improve
the Fort Scott national cemetery, by
purchasing 25 acres additional land
adjoining; and restoring the road lead
ing to the cemetery from the city Of
Fort Scott. He would appropriate
SIS, 900 for such purposes; and would
make il possible for the wives Of SOL
diers inferred in the cemetery to be
buried there, also.
Mr. Murdoch would provide for the
creation of a commission to be called
the railway capitalization commits
sion" to be composed of five senators,
and five members of the house of rep
resentatives, appointed bX the presi-
dent of the senate, and the speaker of
the house of representatives respec-
vestigate the entire question of railway
capitalization; determine the extent of
apitalization; and report to con-
gress by February L, 1907
Mr. Reeder has two bills of general
interest affecting veterans of the war
of the rebellion. One would grant to
each soldier pensioned under either
what is known as the general law, or
the act of 1890, who receive less than
additional
month for each year they have passed
beyond 6 3 years of age, provided the
soldiers are disabled from the per
Torrance OF manual labor and in
destitute circumstances. Mr. Reed
er's other bill would pension superan-
nuated departm clerks who are
veterans, and who have reached the
age of IS years, by giving them one
half their salary, annually, where the
salary is $1,000 per annum or more.
Mr.. Curtis has a Joint resolution in
the house Of representatives to au-
thorize the secretary OF war to furnish
condemned cannon in sufficient num-
Der to make a life size statue Of Gen
eraI Henry Leavenworth, to be erected
at the city Of Leavenworth. The post
and town were named for this dis
tinguished soldier.
There are three public building bills
for Kansas towns, as has told here
fore IN these column: one Dy MI
Murdoch for Newton, which Senator
Long also has in the senate; one for
PittsbuEg by Mr.. Campbell, and one
for lola by Mr.. Scott.
Senator Long has introduced bills
affecting Indian territory; a public
building bill for Newton; and viii
later seek to secure additional appro-
priation for the public building at
Wichita He will also be largely in
terested in Philippine island. Indian
territory. statehood. and railroad rate
legislation
Holiday Rates via Rock Island.
One and one-third fare for the round
trim Tickets on sale Dec y to d an-al