Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-18

I
| from the majority, IL there ever has
been one principle more than another
OF the Republican party that was basic
and fundamental, II is that OF protec-
ton-that principle which says that the
higher level of the intelligent and WELL
| paid labor OF America must be main
lalned and guarded against the lower
level OF industrial Europe, and partic-
uiarly the swarming millions in the ORR
emit, lApplause.l On the other hand,
the Democratic party from time Inn
memorial has taken the opposite view.
II has been the persistent argument
OF The tariff reformer and freetrader that
the American labOrer by reason OF his
superior intelligence and greater etiici-
ency can successfully compete with the
whole world. But this plausible argu-
ment OF our free trade friends has been
vigorously and successfully met and
disproved. as OF course It could not
prevail against the cold logic OF facts
A PERNICIous MEASURE.
The pending measure leads, however,
| to reversal Of the hitherto uniform
course OF legislation on this subject IL
involves a departure from that princi-
pie OF government which has done so
much for the industrial development OF
our country that It's commerce Is now
become the wonder Of the nations, II
means thai the farmer engaged In the
growing of sugar beets will have now
to compete with the cheapest labor and
lowest level Of living on the globe. one
can not forbear the question, What be-
comes OF the promises made by leaders
In this house. In party platforms, and
| In public messages?
why are we so concerned and grave
| ~ upDrehpn IA fha
Of this proposed legislation? | will tell
! You. The situation that confronts us
Is the certainty that the Inducements
| of w-priced productive lands and an
| abundance OF cheap oriental labor in
| addition to the bounty amounting 10
! about $l40 per hundredweight viii so
stimulate the production OF sugar in the
| philippines that 1t, entering our ports,
! VIII precipitate a contest with our own
| sugar. with the results that our mar
! kets will be totally demoraized and the
| beet-sugar industry finally wiped out.
| crushing blow Will thus be dealt to
| the intelligent American farmer, for
| this Industry has benefited him dIrect-
| ~ and indirectly more than any other,
WHAT FIGURES SHOW.
In the extended hearings that have
| been held apropos Of this measure the
| committee on ways and means has lls-
| tened to a great mass of conflicting tes-
| timony ANA argument, Some Things.
however, have been established beyond
| controversy, II appears that the total
area of the Philippine islands Is 1900
600 acres; that about jO.OO0,OOO acres OF
this Is forest land, leaving OF arabic
coast and uplands about 1000 600 acres.
approximately 30 per cent of the latter
some 100000 acres, are now in private
| ownership, leaving 5000, 900 acres to be
disposed Of in tracts or $500 acres for
| public lands much easier of reclama-
| ton than our western sagebrush
| prairies which can be converted into
excellent and profitable cane planta-
lions.
Now, let US consider for moment
the results OF this policy IN the light OF
past experience. Since 1875 we have had
free trade with Hawaii What has been
the result? In 1875 Hawaii produce
| ll,ly tons of sugar. Under the stimu-
lus of free access TO our markets she
now produces from $4,000 to 400, 900 tons
upon an area of only 1000 acres.
| which Is merely one one hundred and
sixtieth part of the arabic public lands
In the Philippines adapted to sugar.
cuba, since obtaining a preferential OF
"a cents per hundredweight. has dou-
bled her production OF sugar Porto
Rico has done likewise. Now, what is
TO hinder a vast Increase of production
In the Philippines? II is generally con-
ceded that the natural conditions are
ideal--soll, climate. and so forth--and
that with up-to-date methods and ma.
chinery the industry will be enormous.
ly profitable. Where great profits are IN
sight the history OF the world is that
difficulties melt away and all obstacles
are overcome. GApplause.l
JAPAN is READY.
Again, Japan, exultant over her sue.
cess In her recent contest. Is ready &c
begin a struggle for commercial laurels
On the Pacific coast are already heard
mutterings Of anxiety over the Influx
OF Japanese TO this country Here Is ar
opportunity for them to go TO the Phil.
ipplnes, right at their doors, as It We're
and reap the rich harvest resulting
from free trade with the United States
the best market that the world ffords
Sugar cane Is raised by Philippine la
Dor at from II to 20 cents per day
while American farm labor ranges from
81 to s. per day The present tariff
rate on sugar from the Islands is 81. q
per hundredweight for 96 degrees sugar
with a prop0rtiOnate decrease for everl
degree or less purity. This bill pro
poses 10 take of all but 20 per cent o
this duty which VIII give importers o
Philippine raw sugar a further reduc
ton or about $l2,6O per ton, or 6
cents per hundredweight, on all suga
brought from the islands to the state
until 1909, and then absolute free trade
with restoration TO normal condition.
and modern methods II is impossible L
| estimate with any 1ppraa NJ
me extent TO which production Of suga
VIII increase.
WHAT NEAS1rpE MEANS
W. ="
The adoption OF the policy embode,
in this measure means. in effect. tina