Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-03-27
PICTURES HAVOC
IN SUGAR TRADE
FROM TARIFF
.r "IlHU NHH


A depressing picture Of the plight Of
mainland sugar concerns because Of
the tariff Is drawn IA a statement is
sued by Paul J. Christian, Washington
representative OF the American Cane
Growers Association. He writes:
"The situation In louisiana and
Porto Rico is worse today than 1t was
IL months ago. Only one-hah of a
crop was made in Louisiana this year
as a result Of the Underwood BILL An
immense area sOf land remained idle.
The owners Of this land have thought
that the Impoverished condition of the
United States treasury, whiehtis stead
fly growing worse Notwithstanding the
aggregate sum received from the pid-
ding war taxes, would hold out an
incentive for them TO return TO the
cultivation OF cane. But they are
afraid to do so while the free sugar
clause remains inrepealed. The stu
atien was made clear In a letter re.
cefyed by SenatoTelect Broussard
from one of the most progressive nner-
chants and farmers in the state, who
said:
w IL u IlOt itCCCcSoI9 III liC W tACh-
ton to you, the present condition OF
the sugar industryain Louisiana on ac-
count of the reduction which has al
ready taken in the duty and the pros.
pectiye removal Of the remaining duty
on sugar.
~ In anticipation OF the remaining
duty being removes. the credit OF the
people engaged ia the growing of
sugar cane, of those interested in the
manufacture Of sugar cane into sugar
and of those who have been financial.
~ assisting the sugar cane growers
and manufacturersth has been material.
~ affected. Whether we will
have the full benefit OF the one-eent
duty ON the crop which we will har-
vest In the fall Of 1915 10 very ques-
tionable, as owing 10 the proposed re-
moval OF the duty, as the law now
stands, on May ], 1916, all users Of
sugar IN anticipation of the decline
ccincident with the removal Of this
duty; will buy their sugar from hand
to mouth. and. on account of the re-
duced takings from the primal mar
kets, force a partial discount on the
market price Of sugar many months
before the duty Is actually removed.
We experienced this during December
1918. when in anticipation of the re1I
movai Of the duty which took place in
March. 1914. sugar in New Orleans
sUli below the worlds parity.
Furthermore, We know that we
would not be able, nor would we be |
willing, to extend them the credit that I
We have heretofore or that we would /
BE willing 10 extend them II the pres /
ent law would be changed so that the
present duty would Semain in fierce.
You therefore VII realize tlln q NC
present fariR law & not changed at |
a., early date it will be OF very little /
material benefit to the present own
ers Of the sugar property In Louisiana,
for II they fail to plant and make prep
araticns for putting down the seed
cane for next years crop they viii, IN :
1 number Of cases. have lost their
by foreclosure OF mortgage
Or bonds, and It viii take st least four
10 I'VE years before they could set
,eed cane from the few <khat might /
remain in the sugar cane 1siness Gin
nope of something Happening, either
1y q change In the attitude of the
present party in power or by some
sther party coming into powerl in
sufficient quantity 10 .'ut their prop
srty into full cultivnti0 again
Christian also gives al 'st of n plan. +
atoms that he says have practically
,oen put out ct business already be-
.ause Of the tariff reduction. In addi- |