Evening star., 1909-05-26
NOT ALLIED WITH TRUST
Purchases Abroad by Cuba Do Not
Call for Action.
FOR H. L. WILSON
Hansbrough May Oppose McCumber
for the Senate-opposition to
George w. Woodruff.

that they were tired of being lambaSted
by those who want to hit the sugar
trust: that they have no connection what
ever with the trust, and that they desired
a reduction Of at least half a cent a
pound on raw sugar. II this reduction
were given, they asserted, sugar would
get to the people much cheaper than
now. The sugar trust, they said. is
opposed to any reduction Of duties on
raw sugar. and so are the beet sugar
producers, who, 1t is claimed, stand in
with the trust.
They contended that there is no rea-
son why the duty on raw sugar should
not be reduced and have no fear that
If this was done legitimate sugar re-
fining in this country would suffer in
the least by competition from foreign
countries That they did not fear lower
duties ought to be convincing that
nobody but the sugar trust and the
beet sugar producers would be hurt
with lower duties.
The independents represented at the
conference with the President were Ar
buckle Bros, Warner Sugar Refining
Company. the Federal Sugar Refining
Company and the Cuban sugar pro-
ducers. represented by E. F. Atkins Of
Boston.
The President listened, but said
nothing that would commit him.
Cubans Buying Arms Abroad.
J. L. Rodgers, United States consul gen.
eraI at Havana. formerly consul general
at Shanghai. was with President Taft a
short time today. Mr.. Rodgers will con-
fer freely with Secretary Knox as to con-
ditaons in Havana and other parts Of
Cuba 1t Is not expected that the ad-
ministration will take cognizance Of the
fact that Cuba has gone to France to
purchase field artillery for her army and
to Germany for rifles for the soldiers,
spending something like $5O0.OOO in the
two countries and ignoring the. United
States altogether.
This action of the Cuban government
will be passed over officially, although 1t
will probably be remembered as part pay
ment of the debt that Cuba feels she
does not owe the United States. 1t is
pointed out in Official circles, however,
that the contract was not let directly by
the Cuban government, but was turned
over as a sort Of concession to one of
the political leaders named Lopez. thus
aiording him opportunity to net some
dollars for his labors Lopez closed the
contracts with firms In France and Ger
many before American gun concerns
knew anything of the matter.
| President Gomez Of Cuba has set aside
81, 100, 900 for equipment Of the army and
rural guards. It is proposed to have a
standing army of about 5000 men. and
about 1000 to 5000 in the rural guard.
The horses for the army will be bought
in the United States, because they cam
not be obtained elsewhere.
Want Wilson in Mexico.
The Washington delegation in Congress
is seeking the ambassadorship to Mexico
for Henry Lane Wilson, now minister to
Belgium. and for many years in the Dip
lomatic service Of the country. Mr. Will
son is brother of ex-senator John L.
Saf nrnnrfnfnr a.
attic Post-Intelligencer. Senator Jones
and Representative Humphrey were at
the White House today. 1t Is understood
that the President has not given any en-
couragement to this shift in the diplo-
matte world and that he has made other
plans as to the Mexican ambassadorship
1t is expected, though. that he will pro-
mote Mr.. Wilson at the earliest possible
moment.
Senators Bailey and Culberson and
Representative Garner of Texas saw the
President today and invited him to visit
Corpus Christi when he goes on his west
ern trip. The President said that when
he drafts his itinerary he will see IL 1t Is
possible to stop at Corpus Christi. He
has promised to make stops at other
Texas points. and will be glad to go to
Corpus Christi II he can arrange to do so.
Senator Overman of North Carolina in
troduced to the President Locke Craig
and several other citizens Of that state.
Hansbrough May Oppose McCumber.
Ex-senator Hansbrough of North Da-
kota introduced some friends to Presi-
dent Taft today. Mr.. Hansbrough has
about recovered from the serious illness
that threatened his life several months
ago and will soon resume activities In
business and professional way.
While Mr.. Hansbrough declined today
to say anything about his plans for the
future. It is pretty well understood that
he will oppose Senator McCumber for re-
election. Senator McCumber's term will
expire March 4, 1911, and the legislature
to be elected next year will choose his
successor Mr.. Hansbrough was defeated
in the fight for reelection last year, and
his seat is now occupied by Martin N.
Johnston. There are strong factional lines
in the state.
Opposition to George W. Woodruff.
President Taft has done nothing toward
withdrawn the nomination of George W.
Woodruff as federal district judge of Ha-
waii. This nomination was made some
time ago, but was not confirmed There
is known to be considerable opposition to
the nomination in the Senate, and 1t may
be strong enough to prevent confirmation
The opposition Is based upon the belief
that Mr.. Woodruff's legal experience and
knowledge are not sufficient to quality
him for federal judge.
During the Garfield regime of the In
terror Department Mr.. Woodruff rem
dered a number Of decisions concerning
sidered radical and altogether unwar-
ranted. They think that if these were
samples of Mr.. Woodruff's legal infor-
nation and application he should not be
made a judge IL Hawaii or anywhere
else.
Mr.. Woodruff before coming to Wash
ington as assistant attorney general for
the Interior Department was noted
foot ball player on the team OF the Uni
versity Of PENNSYLVANIA and is from
that state.
Rev. Thomas Chalmers, pastor of the
First Congregational Church, Manchester,
N. H., appealed to the President today to
aid the citizens of that town in the build
ing of a new 100000 Y. NJ c. A. build
ing. The President wrote an ENCOURAGING
letter. which will be used by the COM
mittee securing subscriptions.
Plate Glass Industry.
A large delegation of plate glass manu-
facturers. introduced to President Taft
today by Representatives burke and Huff
o. Pennsylvania, explained to the chief
executive some of the conditions of the
industry. so that he would know the basis
of the duties levied in the tariff bill.
They stated that there are twelve plate
glass companies in the United States,
with an aggregate actual capital of about
$25 600. 600 and employing directly about
5000 men. and indirectly probably eight
or ten thousand more.
The industry went before the ways and
means committee and asked for q rate of
duty which would represent substantially
the difference between foreign and do
mestic cost of production, plus a reason
able margin for safety.
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