Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-01-13
PROTECTING THE SUGAR INDUSTRY

One of the best articles that has
been published in the cause of pro-
lection for the sugar industry of
America appears in the editorial col
umns of the Dcs Moines Capital, Of
which the Hon. LATE Young is pro-
priotor.
II will be remembered that Mr..
Young visited the Philippines with
the Taft Congressional papty which
made a few hours stay in Honolulu.
Thus, so far as the islands of the Pa
cific are concerned, the policy of his
paper is determined by one who has
been on the ground and can judge
from personal observation.
The editorial review given by the
Capital is one which the people of
Hawaii can cordially endorse because
It deals with the subject in such a
business-like and sound American
style. Noting the fact that the
American people find themselves In n
very peculiar position in regard to
states its position as follows:
Some 20 years ago 1t was not
supposed that America could grow
sugar to any great extent. There
fore our legislation was not specially
devoted TO an attempt to build up
the sugar industry at home. Under
the reciprocity feature of the McKin-
ley bill Secretary Blaine traded SUI
gar off to secure some advantage In
other lines. For instance, he said to
Cuba, We will let your sugar in free
II you will let flour and other Amer.
lean farm products into your coun'
try free The trade was completed
and for brief time the exchange OF
commodities worked well. Blaine
traded off something which we did
not expect to t:y to produce. He
permitted a commodity TO come in
which at that time struck down nc
American industry. 1t is true some
sugar was grown in Louisiana, but
Louisiana was Democratic State
and, in the partisan spirit OF the
times, Republicans said let the Dem
ocrats go. The Senators and Mem
bers from Louisiana were constantly
voting against the interest of theil
own people; therefore Republican,
had some warrant for their action IL
neglecting sugar.
The Democrats repealed the reel
procity arrangement.
"Then the beet-sugar scheme be
gan to take form and sugar gave pro
mise of being an American industry
Recognizing the new situation, tn
Dingley law enacted by the Republi
cans gave sugar a protective duty
Since that time the beet-sugar indus
try in Michigan, Colorado, Nebraska
and other States has grown TO tire
mendous proportions, representing
capital and product OF hundreds o
millions of dollars. This being tn
case. legislation in regard to sugar 1
OF the utmost Importance.
eve admit sugar free from Port
Rico and the Hawaiian Islands. Tn
best sugar in the world Is produce
In Hawaii, but It is produced at tn
greatest cost for irrigation and fert
lization. II is produced at n prof
only by the introduction of the MOD
ern methods of economy in labor an
In every other respect.
TT is right that sugar shout
tome in free from Porto RiC
and Hawaii, because they are parts {
our own country and they do nc
produce sugar in amount sufficient I
destroy the American sugar industr!
But inasmuch as the beet-suga
mills have all been erected with tn
understanding that there shall be
protective tariff on sugar, the quei
tion naturally arises, How much fal
! Their can we in honor go in removin
duties?
There is one island in the PhiliI
pine group, to-wit: the Island of M
gros, which can produce sugar will
out either irrigation or fertilization
Properly cultivated that island coul
produce more and cheaper sugar tina
any other spot OF ground on tn
globe. Industry has never been we
applied on the Island OF Negros, tn
natives are lazy. Native sugar-grov
ers, when they make a profit, use u
the money in luxurious living instea
OF erecting sugar mills. No INTEL
gent effort has been made toward d.
veloping sugar-growing in Negro
From four to seven crops OF sugi
can be grown in Negros without r.
planting. This means that when II
cane is cut down the new cane star
from the stock of the old hill. tn