South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-04
PRESIDENT WILL
NOT USE POWERS
OF McNARY BILL
Wilson Issues Statement Fol-
lowing AdviCeS From the
Equalization Board.
SUFFICIENT SUGAR FOR U. S.

~ Associated lreSs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-Pres't
Wilson has decided not TO exercise
powers conferred In the McNary con-
troll bill authorizing purchase and
distribution of the Cuban sugar crop,
according 10 a statement issued sat
urday night at the white house.
The statement said the president
has decided on the basis Of facts pre-
scented for his consideration and the
recommendation of the sugar equal
ization board that this power should
not be exercised.
Long Statement.
In a long statement announcing
the presidents decision. the declara-
ton is made that apparently the
available sugar supply is sufficient
for American needs "even on the
present unnecessarily large basis Of
consumption" and notice is given
that the power Of price control
through the licensing system, au-
thorized by the bill. will be invoked
If necessary in cooperation with the
department OF justice. Figures at
tached show that the estimated 1919
consumption in the United States was
slightly more than 100000 tons of
which normally only 100000 tons
was domestic production AS the
Cuban crop is unusually large at
$500, 600 tons, however of which
the allies, because of limited pur-
chasing power, will take about l.
$50, 900 tons. and as the estimated
Louisiana. Western Beet. Hawaiian
and Porto Rican production will
reach 100000 tons, the statement
foresees a sufficient supply for Amer
lean needs
More Consumption.
The American per capita con
sumption of sugar. the statement
said. had risen from 50 pounds in
1856 10 an average Of 50 pounds dur
ing the 1914-191S period and to 81
pounds for 1919.
When the question of purchasing
the Cuban crop first came up in
August only one member OF the
sugar board dissented from the CON
clusiou that the Cuban crop should
not be purchased unless the board S
powers Of control were made effec-
tive, requiring congressional action.
the statement said The president
had reached no conclusion when he
was taken i'll during his western
trip.
Make Recommendation.
Early in October the sugar board
recommended TO a senate committee
the purchase of the 1920 Cuban crop,
the board then feeling that its con-
tracts with both producers and re-
| hners could be renewed. Congress
did not act, the statement adds. until
Dec. 20.
Conditions have SO changed that
| the members of the board feel that
action by it under the McNary act
does not oher a way TO securing \
regular supply at "a reasonable price
the statement said.
No Contract.
! There is no contract with western
beet sugar or Louisiana cane pro
| duccrs for the 1920 crop and b. oct
| j > the control of the board applied
only 90 the remainder of the Cuban
| 1912 crop. the statement said
zone OF the elements which help
! ed materially TO make the boards
action for the 1919 crop effective u,
] longer exists" il continues. The
board was able 10 deal with the uni
] fed cuban selling agenct for the
/ 1919 crop and 10 secure and cOntro
y the entire crop. Now there is nc
4 person or committee authorized tC
/ sell the balance of the 1920 Cuban
! crop"
IF the board now Went into tho
Cuban market. the statement said. :.
! would be able only 20 buy individual
lots I'm competition with private buy
ers and with a tendency TO increas,