Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-02-09
Cuban Sugar Situation to Be
Waged Until Decision
Is Reached
HOPE IN NEXT CONGRESS
lF THIS DOESN'T ACT
Open Letter Written to Secre-
tary McAdoo Requesting
His Assistance
BY C. S. ALBERT.

/ Il
received last night brought news that
the Broussard resolution, granting az.
thority to the state Of Louisiana to
test before the supreme court the
Cuban preferential on sugar had
been approved by the house judiciary
committee. Writing from Washing
ton on january %, the star-6uIletin's
correspondent az the national capital
gives the following Information ex-
planning the situation fuliy:l
Especial star-BulIet,n Correspondence
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 2S.-The
cane growers OF Louisiana have taken
steps to renew their fight against the
provisions OF the Underwood Simmons
tariff bill when the next Congress
assemblies. II is their purpose to Sc
cure the adoption of a joint resolu-
tion by Congress authorizing the state
to appear In the supreme court and
obtain a construction of the existing
tariff act.
AS part OF the preliminary work
Representatiye-elect II. p. Martin of
the third Louisiana district has written
an open letter to Secretary McAdoo
OF the treasury, requesting his assist
ance. The letter follows:
eThibodaux, La, Jan. 23, 1915.
aH0nI VIM. @. McAd0o,
Secretary OF the Treasury,
washington, d. G.
my Dear Mr.. Secretary:
There now appears to be small
for the passage Of H. J. Res.
% a l.,Sl..s- 49, n l4<x..,,, - &Iisa
present Congress. am therefore writ
ing to inform you that e similar reso-
lntion granting the state Of Louisiana
the right 10 stand in judgment before
the United States supreme court will
be reintroduced Immediately upon the 4
Of the next Congress-. Steps
will also be taken in the event OF the
successful issue OF the suit. looking
to the reimbursement OF the federal
treasury by those Who may be re-
sponsible for any losses that may ac-
crue through laches.
Il have thought it proper to inform
you of this at the present time, be.
cause my understanding Is that under
existing law, the United States can.
not recover, in the absence of fraud
or protest, unless steps are taken with.
In one year from the date of entry |
to secure such money as may be lost
by the imposition Of inadequate duties.
The importers began entering sugar |
under what many members of Con. |
gress and able lawyers believe were |
Illegal duties, March !, 1914 Congress
viii adjourn on March 4, 1915, so that I
unless an extra session be called on |
the heels OF adjournment and immedi |
ate action be taken by the new Con-
gress, there is q possibility of mill |
lions Of dollars being lost should your |
department fail to take the necessary /.
steps to safeguard the government
''This request Of the state was ask. |
ed for unanimously by Democratic |
legislature and Democratic governor,
acting through g Democratic attorney /
general, and is nothing more than a
plea that the highest court In the !
land interpret certain conflicting pro-
Visions of the same act. And yet, not
the fact that states /
rights is one of the cardinal doctrines
of the Democratic party. the sorry
spectacle is presented of sovereign |
state being denied this right through
the opposition of Democratic secre.
Lary Of the treasury.
I'm your last annual report you ad
vocate the re-imposition OF the war
taxes at the end of the current year
for an indefinite period-the taxes to
be abolished by proclamation of the
president when peace is restored in
Europe. Should the supreme court de.
eide that the sugar duties now beins /
collected under your order are less !,
than the legal duties imposed by Con
gress 1t would mean the recovery ol
millions OF dollars now wrongfully di-
yerted from the federal treasury to
the sugar trust; would obviate the ne
cessity Of carrying out your sugges
ton, and would relieve the American
people Of the war taxes in times o.
peace
Yours very truly,
(Signed) H. p. MARTIN,
"M. c. Elect, 3rd La. District"