The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-12-10

Consumers of sugar in the United
States were particularly interested in
the hearing today before the Ways
and Means Committee of the House
of Representatives for the presentation
of arguments on the sugar tariff. The
fight for the free entry of sugar was
made on the claim that the consumer
does not get any benefit from the pre-
sent duty. 1t also was maintained by
those who oppose the so-called Sugar
Trust" that the present rate of duty
on raw sugar no longer is required for
protecting the American sugar-grow-
ers, on the ground that sugar is raised
in this country as cheaply as abroad.
The United States consumes about
100000 tons of sugar annually; 1t
produced 1532,954 tons last year, in
Guiding the output of the Philippine
Islands, which enjoy a preferential
rate of rs per cent. less than the duty
provided by the Dingley tariff law.
which has the benefit Of a 20 per
cent. reduction in the established rate
of duty on sugar, in accordance with
the provisions of the reciprocal trea-
ty, and produce about as much sugar
as the United States.
The Hawaiian reciprocity treaty of
January 30, 1875, provided for the en-
try free of duty of sugar from the Ha-
waiian Islands, and those in favor of
free trade with the Philippines argue
that the same privileges which were
extended to the Hawaiians should be
granted to the Philippines.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
PAYNE.
Before the hearing began today
Chairman Payne said: Despite the
criticism and prophecies in the press
to the effect that the committee has
already made up it's mind with re-
gard to the revision of the tariff, I
will say that this committee will
stand on the facts brought out at
these hearings and will welcome any
fact from any individual citizen, whe-
Their they favor lower duty or higher
duty, or even free trade on some ar
ticfes."
That the STEEL COAL and lumber in
terests will make a stubborn fight
against the reduction of the tariff on
these products was stated today by
Senator Elkins of West Virginia, as
he was leaving the White House after
short call upon President Roosevelt.
There's going to be fight on coal
and lumber rates." said the Senator.
West Virginia, which produces
large amount of these products, is en-
tirely satisfied with the existing rates
and will put up a contest before she
permits them to be changed"
If Canada manifests a willingness
to reduce her duty on coal, the Sen
ator said an agreement might be
reached easily for the reduction of the
tariff on coal into the United States.
He added that West Virginia was very
much interested in the protection of
the steel industry.
Mr.. Elkins said it would be unfair
to the country to attempt to revise
| the tariff at the coming session of
Congress.
WASHINGTON, November 16.-At
today's hearing before the Ways and
represented the cane-sugar growers of
louisiana, was the first witness. He
asserted that the Sugar Trusts con-
troll of sugar was so complete that it
not only dictated the price at which
| jobbers and retailers should sell, but
| ole NH pi1 Gvn ho of
which sugar was to be bought from
the growers. The growers, he said,
had the alternative of accepting the
price or letting their sugar rot.
! Mr. Colcock said that a reduction of
the tariff on sugar would cause wide
spread industrial disaster. He was OPP
posed. he said, to a reduction of the
duty on sugar imported from the Phi
lippines for the same reason. Mr.
Colcock inveighed against the Rein
ing Trust, which, he said, controls
prices and in many other ways does
not accord fair treatment to the pro-
ducers.
Mr.. Boutell-"You say the methods
of the American Sugar Refining Com
pany in dealing with the growers are
damnable?"
Mr. Colcock-"All members of the
Exchange would say so."
Mr.. Boutell-"Why do you submit
to It?
Mr.. Colcock-"We are unable to do
better"
Mr. Boutell's cross-examination was
interrupted by Mr. Clark, who asked
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