The daily times., 1922-02-25
TARIFF ON SUGAR
IS THE QUESTION
GIVING CONCERN
HOLDING CONFERENCES
The Administration is Unwill-
ing to Aid Cuba at the Ex-
pense' of the Domestic In
dustry, Probably Will Limit
Cuba to Fifty Per Cent Of
America's Requirements.

(By David Lawrence.)
Copyright 1922 by The Daily
Times.)
Washington, Feb 24.-The Hard
ing Administration does not look
with favor upon the proposal made
by Cuba that she will impose an ex-
port duty on sugar only after a GER
tain export amount has been exceed
ed. Senator Smoot of Utah and others
upon whom the Administration is
for guidance in the sugar
controversy feel that the Cuban pro-
posal does. not really limit Cuba's pro-
daction and that once the tax is inn
posed it can easily be removed
whereas the United States will have
passed q permanent tariff bill based
upon the idea of permanent conces-
sions from Cuba.
While the soldier bonus and the
ter OF the stage in Washington, the
tariff has really been giving more
concern under the surface than eth
er subject. Industrial Generalization
abroad and the chaotic conditions of
foreign exchanges make the writing
of tariff schedules particularly diff
d6iS at this time but Republican lead
ers insist that 4 protective tariff is
the traditional policy of the Repub-
lican party and that failure to pass
one at this time would be fatal in the
elections.
During the last few days leaders
of the Senate and House have held
several quiet conferences in an effort
to compound the differences between
foreign and domestic valuation as
basis for ad valOrem duties. AS yet
no agreement has been reached al
such an agreement in the near
future is in sight. Pending the settle
ment of this question the Senate
Finance Committee is proceeding
with the writing of specific rates.
Largely because it will furnish
some twenty five per cent of the total
tariff, sugar is coming in for especial
attention. An item which will pro-
duce $1OO,OOO,0OO in revenue and
satisfy the demands of the domestic
producers for protection is not easily
The question, however,
involves relations with Cuba which
furnishes practically all the sugar not
produced in the United States.
President Harding wishes to aid
Cuba but is unwilling to do SO if the
domestic industry of America is i'm
paired Cuba increased her produc-
tion during the war by fifty per cent
and as a result had tremendous
carry-over at the beginning of the
year.
A few weeks ago the Harding Ad-
endeavored to bring
about a reduction in Cuba's sugar
crops but it now develops that these
efforts have proved abortive. The
Cubans are keeping on with their
production and have already produc-
ed to date ninety per cent of last
years output for the same period.
The estimates reaching here point to
a 3,6OO,OOO ton crop as against g.
100000 pre-war and to this must be
added Cuba's 100000 tons carry
over.
Domestic producers are telling the
Harding Administration that the alb
sorption Of any such quantity by the
United States would be hurtful to the
sugarS growers of this country. The
sea b&ard refiIiers and the American
promoters of the sugar industry are
'counte&ing with a campaign in favor
Of losler du on Cuban sugar, argu.
fpg thai It 1ld mean cheap sugar
the q pr IN answer to thil
dome ducers point to Wha'
ened the war when mi
f "a mp beyond 81