The Washington times., 1915-10-23

| 1t IL probable that II the sugar ques-
ton could be entirely segregated from
| all other tariff questions. the measure
would be introduced as a sort OF war
revenue bill and hurried through to
passage under whip and spur. But that
| proceeding Is not available. A scheme
to revise the tariff is subject to real
consideration. II will require considera-
ton In committees and OH the floor OF
| both houses.
| President Wilson was. at the time the
Underwood measure was before Con-
gress. especially insistent that sugar be
made free. This was one OF the cardi-
nal proposals. along with the insistence
that wool be free Mr.. Bryan was
! credited with especial ardor in favor
OF free wool and the President with
pa rticular urgency in behalf OF free
sugar At that time they and their
they are not expected to do so In the
coming session.
No Disaster Thus Far.
The tariff was taken OF wool. and a
sliding scale was applied to sugar. I'M
der which It was to be free by May.
1916 Under the Payne tariff sugar
paid 81. 65 duty per 100 pounds. II is now
| cent per pound. the next step will be
the elimination of the remaining pro-
lection.
The change OF both the wool and the
tariff schedule has been accomplished
without producing disaster thus far.
That however. Is because the war
brought entirely new conditions. Ger
many was great sugar producer. NOW
Il Is out OF the worlds market. Eng
land bought n large part Of its sugar
from Germany, and much OF the re-
maindcr from Russia. Both these coun
tries have been unable TO supply their
old markets since the war opened. Con-
sequently England has been compelled
| to seek new supplies. and has suddenly
become a strong competitor in the Cuban
market which formerly vas almost eN.
clusively controlled by the United
States.
with England calling for n big share
of Cuban tonnage. and the world show
ing no increase adequate TO take care
of the losses an advance in the price
OF sugar. quite independent OF any coun.
try's tariff. was inevitable. II was
! mighty fortunate for the Democratic
OF this country. plus Louisiana planters
who were prepared largely to go out oil
! business as soon as they lost their pro
lection took the other tack and plunged
Tor a bigger PRODUCTION lIlhh 'Ne''
, Prosperity For Cuba.
The American production OF bee
sugar this year IL expected to b" from
600 to 7O0IN tons. the normal hereto
fore has been rather under 10000. The
beet sugar crop comes into the markc
from october to the end OF January
but Of course It pays no duties and doe:
, not help the revenue situation. Pro
, duced behind the protection Of the pres
, Ont duty Of cent and also the wall an'
war prices this beet sugar Will be mar
keted Mt profitable prices.
| I,ouisiana's crop OF cane sugar vii
come on the market mainly In Sovem
her and December: also enjoying thu
. benefit of the present tariff protection
and of the inflated world prices. II vii
command prices high enough to MAKE
j, the loss OF a part OF Its protection tenn
Z porarilv unimportant.
Finally. the crops OF Hawaii anC
Porto Rico will be brought into tn,
market OF the States in the spring o
1915 It is estimated that there viii h
about 7No.ooo tons Of Hawaiian and 3no.
, on Of the Porto Rican crop. All th
e comes in free: and It likewise will sc
, in before the tariff can he taken off.
The greatest single factor in on
a sugar supply liz the Cuban crop. whici
i will he bigger than ever. In normal
/ ante hcllum times this country tool
2 about 2.ooo.ooO tons OF Cuban sugar
: | This coming season we will take from
93D0O0o to 900 600 tons. Canada an,
England will demand all they can re
from cuba. and the competition vii
make prosperity for the planters OF tina
island.