Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-10
URGESU j. s. Toby
ALL CUBAN SUGAR
CROP STILL UNSOLD
Senator McNary Believes
Many Millions Would Be
Saved to Consumers.

The immediate purchase of that part
of the Cuban sugar crop which still
remains in the hands of the growers
as a means of relieving the sugar
shortage in the United States. was
strongly urged in the Senate today by
Senator McNary of Oregon. He said
that a survey of the situation made
within the last few days showed tina,
approximately 100000 tons of Cuban
sugar are yet unsold.
He predicted this sugar could be
/ purchased by the United States
through the sugar equalization board
at a figure which would save the
American consumers hundreds of mil
lions of dollars. The amount Of sugar
he said, would be sufficient to meet all
needs in this country.
On motion CT Senator McNary. the
, Senate today took up for considera-
ton his bill to continue the sugar
! equalization board until December 81
1920, and to give it full power to Sc
cure. at reasonable price. an ade-
quate supply of sugar and to provide
for an equitable distribution of it to
the people of the United States.
Louisiana Senators Oppose.
The senators from Louisiana are OPP
posing the measure. and Senator Gay
made several attempts to delay or
prevent consideration OF the Dill. Sen
ator McNary, in discussing his bill
and the sugar shortage. declared that
the sugar equalization board last Au-
gust and again in September had
urged upon President Wilson the ne
cessity of purchasing the Cuban sugar
| crop. On August IA, he said. the sugar
equalization board had sent a letter
to President Wilson stating that i,
believed it necessary for the public
good to purchase the Cuban sugar
of the board concurred in this recon-
mendation. Senator McNary said that
apparently the President had fol-
lowed the suggestion of the single
member of the board. Prof. Taussis
who proposed that the sugar situation
be left to the law of supply and de-
mand.
II believe that the President COM
mitted a grave error" said Senator
McNary Gin not following the advice
! of the sugar equalization board. We
must now pass legislation to remedy
the situation. l do not think that it
is too late even yet to act. In a re-
cent survey ! am informed that about
$50, 900 tons of Cuban sugar have been
purchased by European nations and
. another 10000 tons by sugar refiners
and spectators in this country, leay-
ing total of 100000 still undis-
posed of in Cuba. This country has
used about 100000 tons of sugar a
year. With the increased demand, due
in part to prohibition. the country
NAV consume 100000 tons"
Sugar Shortage Causes.
Senator McNary said that he believes
that there was a world shortage of
sugar due to the fact that the produc-
ton of beet sugar in Europe had been
curtailed because of the war. He said
that if England should enter the Cuban
sugar market and obtain a large part of
the crop, the shortage in this country
would be more serious than had even
been dreamed of.
Senator McNary gave it as his opinion
that the present sugar shortage in this
country had been brought about largely
through a ARCHAEOLOGICAL cause. When
the people learned that the government
was not going to take over the Cuban
crop, many persons began to buy UP all
the sugar they could, fearing future
shortage and increase in prices.
BIames President Wilson.
The blame for the failure to pur-
chase the Cuban crop last summer
was placed upon the President by SEN
ator McNary He said that attempts
had been made to lay tn blame at the
doors of Congress, but that the ap-
preaching sugar she "tASe had not
been called to the attention of Con-
gress until last fall. He said that after
the agricultural committee had re-
ported out his bill ne had attempted
several times to get consideration of
1t by unanimous consent, put that oo-
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