Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 505, 24 Ianuali 1902 — COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS MAKE PROTEST [ARTICLE]

COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS MAKE PROTEST

Ways and Means Committee Hears Represenutiies From Cnba. CRISIS FOR REPUBLIC'S SUGAR Statement That Reduction May Be Necessary In Tariff Rates. • *r - * Argument* in Favor of Concessions to the Island Are Made at the Conference —Opinions of Various Interests Affected by Legislation —Many Cubans Present. WASHINGTON. January 15. —The Wave and M"ans Committee began hearings to-day on the subject of Cuban reciprocity with a larg = repre sent?.Mon present from the various inf‘ r- sts which would be affected by legi-latlon of this character. The Cuban industries were represented toy M- -r Place. Mendoza. Dutnols and Francke. chosen by commercial organizations in various parts of the island. Th-- Vir.erban intere-ts engaged in sugar production in Cuba were reprem nted by Edwin F. Atkins, spokesman for an organization controlling a large part of the sugar production of the island. Hugh Kelly of New York end John F. Craig of Philadelphia. William Haywood was present in behalf of the Hawaiian sugar planters and Henry T Oxnard for the domes tic beet-sugar interests. The tobacco and other Interests affected by Cuban production also were well represent fQ. t’hairman Payne stated at th- outs’t that the hearing was in reference to that portion of the President’s message relating to reciprocity with Cuba Th" committee would first hear these favorable to Cuba, and Mr. Payne stated that the committee Jesired to be informed about th" effect of •eciproclty both on Cuba and on the people of the I’nited Sta-s. Edwin F. Atkins of Boston made th-- opening statement in behalf of re- . ipr< city. He spoke of the enormous nv rproduction of sugar throughout the world, amounting to about 1.500.eiiu tons, which had resulted in a crisis in the industry. European countries had met this by bounties so that Th* German producer, by means of a bounty, was able to sell sugar at a half-cent -per pound below its cost of production. The cost of production in Cuba was 2.0 cents per pound, which was somewhat above the selling price Mr. Atkins stated that th-n was now about 120.000.000 worth of standing cane in Cuba, and at present prices a consid- rable part of this would not be harvested. While not an alarmist, he said the effect would be serious loss to the planters and the labor employed The loss to labor. he thought, was likely to fead to disturbances. At the time set for the withdrawal of American troops, there would be. in his opinion, a deficit in the insular revenues, which were largely recruit-d from the sugar industry stated that a 50 p"r cent teduction of duties was desired on the various large products of the island, but In response to inquiries fn m Payne, he said that the sugar industry f-it they should have a 100 per cent reduction Atkins stated that the opposition to Cuban reciprocity ■ atn. from special sources, namely the domestic beet sugar industry, the Hawaiian planters and the sugar ini' tests of Porto Rico an i Louisiana, segregating SSk'.d'H) tons production. To Payne be stated that a very large percentage of the Cuban sugar industry was ow ned by citizens of the Unitnl States. Hugh K< lly of N w York who has large sugar holdings in Cuba. said that as an American ne urged that reciprocal concessions be made. He believed that if there was no reciprocity Cuba would ask for annexation. It this occurred the voice of the Amerb an people w ould be for admitting the island. Mendoza of the Cuban debgation pictured the distress if present conditions were continued, and said the low? oa the sugar, crop this year would approximate 112.« L He strongly favored the free admission of sugar and reciprocal concessions on American goods entering Cuba.