The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-08-19
FREE SUGAR THE
TEXT Of SENATE
TARIFF DEBATE
Republicans Assail the Demo
cratic Bill and Predict Ruin
to Cane and Beet Grow
ers of the Country.
BRIsTOW OFFERS
THE AMENDMENTS
Only Six Democrats Remain
in the Chamber During Dis
cussion; Protest Made by
Smith of Michigan.

"AsShlNUlON, aug, lS,-f roe sugar
was the text of the tariff debate in the
senate today, Republican members as
sailing the Democratic proposal to put
sugar on the free list in 1916, predict.
ing the ruin of the Louisiana cane
sugar industry and the 'fgobbling up
by the trust of the domestic beet sugar
industry of the country.
Senators Brstow, Smith of Michigan,
Sterling, Smoot, Lodge and Cummina
led in the attack on the sugar schedule,
which bids fair to hold attention of
the senate for several days. No time
has been fixed for a vote for the rates
or amendments proposed today by Sen
ator Bristow, which would provide for a
gradual reduction Of the tariff on re-
fined sugar until the figure would reach
$1.1J a hundred in 1919.
Democratic leaders asserted tonight
that tho Brstow amendments would be
voted down aud that there would be no
DculDNldllC NpISo " uo NaoN hSe1'oo1 uhS
majority except those of the Louisiana
senators, Thornton and Ransdell, who
gave notice Of their purpose to the Dem
ocratic caucus.
Purpose of Trust.
In today's discussion Snator Bristow
asserted that the American Sugar Re-
ining company, which several years
ago started out to acquire the beet
sugar factories, abandoned the plan
.tbecause they found it would be
cheaper and easier to destroy this in
dustry through free sugar than to con-
troll it by purchase Of stock
Senator Walsh declared that testi-
moDy OF beet sugar men before the lobby
committee was to the effect that the
reason the Americsu Sugar Refining
| company reduced its holdings in the
beet sugar plants of the west was be-
| cause OF fear of the Sherman trust law.
Ventures Prediction.
Senator William Alden Smith, vigor-
| ously supporting the Bristow amend
| mepts, declared:
81 venture the assertion that neither
| the American Sugar Refining company
nor any Of its owners has purchased
any beet sugar stock since the Demo
| cratic party came into power, and will
not buy any until you have passed
your bill and your three years of
strangulatiop have prosecuted the beet
sugar men and tremendously reduced
the price of their stock -
elf the country is going to be
ruined,' asked Senator Williams, "why
should the stock be bought then7"
Because the Democrats lease OF
|, power, replied Senator Smith, sis
but temporary, and there will later be
reaction
OFF this party's lease of power is
temporary" Senator Williams re-
turned, "why picture all this despair
why not pass the bill, turn the Demo
Gratis out, re-establish your lines and &c
| ahead7"
Republicans Unanimous.
| The Republican seua tors unanimously
! contended that the proposed rates would
not cheaper sugar to the consumer.
Senator Cummns said the removal OF
the sugar duty In 1915 would tend tc
abrogate the present reciprocity treaty
with Cuba. because 1t would abolish the
| Cuban sugar preferential. the chief pro-
vision OF The treaty. He raised the ques-
ton. however, whether the proposed Law
or the treaty eventually would prevail.
| .n1Ca who g3iI ha 6rnftpd a
portion OF the Cuban reciprocity treaty
declared that the pending bill made al
Immediate reduction in the sugar rate
of approximately 20 cents n hundred
pounds. and that this reduction would
not be In conflict with the treaty
May Abr0gate Treaty.
Senator williams also insisted that
there was no conflict between the treaty
and the BILL The treaty, he said, ap-
piled to all imports. guaranteeing Cuba g
preferential, but not preventing change
Of tariff rates by law
| "IJndoIil,t edly" he added, 1.-The bill vii