The New York herald., 1920-01-07
FAILURE To BUY
SUGAR CALLED
WILSON BLUNDER
Half Cuban Crops Still Unsold,
Says Senator McNary, Crit
iciSing President.
Herald Bureau.
No. 1,5O2 II Street, n. W.
WashlngtOn, ID. c., Tuesday.

President Wilson Is criticised sharply
for failing to direct the purchase OF the
unsold portion of Cubas sugar crop by
Senator McNary, of Oregon, author of
the legislation comforting upon the Pres
idens authority to take such action to
avert sugar famine in the United States.
Senator McNary, in formal statement
today, also made public a message from
President Menocal, of Cuba, to the effect
that half OF the Cuban crop remains unsold
and urging that the United States pur-
chase it to stabilize the Cuban sugar
market.
Senator AtcNary asserts that the Presi-
dents decision not to purchase the Cuban
crop is a repetition of the blunder made
last year, and that 1t will lead to further
constituencies profiteering" by specula-
tors at the expense of the American people
President Menocal says that the present
condition OF the Cuban sugar market,
where there are wide fluctuations, is very
undesirable and that the stabilized price
which would be brought about by the
purt hase of the remaining portion of the
Cuban crop by the United States would be
less to American consumers than any
that may be fixed in the speculative mar
ket. The sugar producers, he said, are
willing to accept fair price.
Shortage Wilson'S Fault.
"The Presidents decision,' eaid Sena-
tor McNary, ito withhold from the Sugar
Equalization Board the authority to ac-
quire the Cuban sugar crop for 1920 comes
as distinct disappointment to those who
we're active in legislation designed to be
corrective of the present unfortunate sugar
situation, which was brought about by the
refusal of President Wilson to purchase
raw sugar last summer, when urged to
do so by the Sugar Equalization Board.
'The licensing feature in the bill re-
Gently enacted by Congress does not ex-
pire until June 80. and it was thought that
during this period of time the board could
compel an abundant flow of sugar at a
rea sonable price to the consuming public,
and that after that period conditions
would be such under the boards control
as to insure an equitable distribution and
price.
Under the food control bill which sup
piled the authority for the Sugar Equaliza-
ton Board to control the sugar situation
SO satisfactorily last year, the licensing
provisions were not exercised, but the
board was content to require that the
dealers must confine themselves to fair
and reasonable profits.
Half Cuban Crop UnsoId.
To-day have received from Hon Mario
C. Menocal. President of the Cuban Re-
public, cablegram which contains the
information that more than half the
Cuban crop remains unsold and an
urgent plea for the United States to
stabilize the Cuban sugar market, which
can be done only by the Sugar Equaliza-
ton Board purchasing the crop.
Il think great bunder has already
been committed by not entering this mar
ket in the summer or fall of last year,
and now again to hesitate will result in
still further couscienceless profiteerine by
the spectators at the expense Of the
American people. who have already paid
Ia toll of several hundred millions of dol
lars on account OF the Presidents
mistake"