Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-11-18
LOWER TARIFF.
Continued from Page One.)

Cuba if the tariff on Cuban sugar is
not reduced.
Representative Champ Clark of Mis-
souri, asked Mr.. Atkins. What is going
to become of the American beet sugar
growers when Cuba belongs to the
United States?"
THAT is the question" answered Mr..
Atkins '"rhere is the most imminent
danger of this coming about"
I'll you get the reduction in the
tariff on sugar that you seek" Mr..
Clark asked. would there be any re-
duction to the consumer"
There would be a reduction in the
retail price of about one-half a cent.
/ should say" was the reply.
"How do you know that the sugar
trust won't grab up that half cent"
"If they could I would join them 81
An advocate for the free entry of
sugar was Claus A. Speeches., presi-
dent Of the Federal Sugar Refining
Co, an "Independent" concern of New
York. II would be perfectly satisfied
if you should decide to agree uron free
trade" said Mr. Spreckles, who was
formerly connected with the American
Sugar Refining Co, known as the
"Sugar Trust" in both raw and re-
fined sugars.
81 think we are entitled to a mod
crate protection on refined sugars. but
would prefer absolute free trade to
the present schedule under which the
Sugar Trust is the principal benefi-
ciary and enabled to enact special
privileges and conditions on sugar
produced in Louisiana and the Hawai-
ian islands. 1t is evident that the
country desires a revision of the tariff
and expects a reduction of duty when
ever it can be shown to be reason
able, feasible and advantageous"
Mr. Spreckles was interrogated by
Serene Payne, chairman Of the commit
tee, regarding the free entry of sugar.
MIR. Spreckles said that his concern is
compelled to buy its sugar in Java,
Porto Rico and Cuba as the Sugar
Trust has the output of Louisiana and
the Hawaiian islands contracted for
Upon being questioned by other mem
bers of the committee he said the
consumers would get the benefit of the
reduction in the tariff.
Mr. Spreckles claimed that those
sugar at 21a per pound We're not ap-
pearing before the committee to give
information about the cheapness of
manufacturing best sugar He said
that 25 per cent. of the sugar beet
produced in this country is raised by
Asiatic labor. That the American
Sugar Refining Co. or his own COM
pany needs no tariff protection was
asserted by Mr.. Spreckles. Mr..
SrreckleS admitted that he had bought
sugar lands in Cuba as a speculation.
hoping that the island would at some
time become annexed to the United
States and that as a result the value
Of these lands would be doubled.
A. f. Stillman, representing Arbuckle
Brothers Of New York, one
of the largest independent sugar
refining companies in the country,
while admitting that the beet
sugar industry probably could
not survive on free sugar. requested
lower duties as much better for the
can labor was degraded by the present
tariff system
G. w. Swinck, a beet sugar grow
er of Rockyford. Colo, said that Jap
anese, Mexican and Indians We're large
ly employed in the farming of sugar
bects. Representative Clark drew
from the witness the fact that sugar
beets brought $40 an acre. while hay.
wheat and corn. three of the principal
crops of the Middle Western states,
bring but 81 per acre. Tomorrow the
committee will begin its hearings on
Schedule &C" of the tariff. covering
agricultural products and provisions.