The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-22
SUGAR AND COTTON
RATES ARE OPPOSED

Probably one of the most interesting
disclosures before any OF the subcom-
mittees yesterday was by a representa-
tive OF the firm of Arnold Cheney. OF
New York. who, backed up by number
of Southern cotton manufacturers, came
to plead with the subcommittee not to
adopt a paragraph in the Underwood
tariff bill which places - per cent
duty on raw ivory.
The witness brought out the fact that
the New York firm has built a trade
OF over 100000 with East African ivory
producers. He purchases coarse cotton
goods manufactured exclusively in the
South. transports them to the East Afri-
can roast, barriers them there for ivory.
brings the tusks back to New York. and
sells them to the manufacturers OF piano
KEYS. One of the Southern representa-
tives of the cotton industry told the sub
committee of which Senator Hoke Smith
was a member that in thirty years his
firm had built up a trade of $500
annually with the East African coast
through the New York intermediary.
Senator Hoke Smith was intensely in
terested in the explanation of this phase
OF Internal ional trade. The witnesses
told him that the natives of East Africa
did not pay cash, but bought their goods
and paid for them in ivory exclusively.
The New York importer of the ivory told
the committee that II the 70 per cent
duty was placed on the tusk, that Italian
competitors for the East African trade
would be able to drive him out of the
business. He was backed up by the
Southern cotton manufacturer who said
that he also would suffer.
The fact was disclosed in the course of
the testimony that there has never been
duty heretofore on raw ivory and that
no other country in the world imposes a
duty on its importation.
Loatsinns Make Protest.
The Louisiana sugar producers ap-
peared before a subcommittee of the
Finance Committee consisting of Sena-
tors William Shively and Gore and pre-
scented their protest against the sugar
schedule of the pending tariff bill. The
Louisiana delegation consisted of Jules
Godchaux. of Raceland: II. n. Pharr. of
New Iberia, and E. F. Dickinson, of
Matthews, La, all largely interested in
the Louisiana industry. Their case was
presented by Mr.. Pharr.
Mr.. Pharr said that the present agita-
ton for free sugar was not the result OF
any spontaneous demand by the Ameri-
can people. I'VE charge" he said. that
whatever sentiment does exist among the
American people for free sugar has beer
absolutely manufactured by the refin-
ing interests under the leadership of F. c.
Lowry, in the supposed interest of the
consumer. but in reality to permit the re-
finers including the Sugar Trust to dom.
mate the sugar markets of this nation
more successfully than in the past
through the destruction of the domestic
sugar industry"
A letter from ]. T. Witherspoon, of
New Orleans, to President Thomas says
in part:
at might be well for you to consider
the proposition of permitting New Or
leans during the next three months to
maintain a difference in price below
New York of at least ten cents, and at
periods of extreme dizziness, when these
outsiders here are quoting low prices and
selling their product, Of even twenty
cents, per hundred pounds. What / am
particularly interested in is seeing the
little outside competition develop as
little as possible