Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1911 — HIGHER PRICES FOR KAINIT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HIGHER PRICES FOR KAINIT.

German Potash Trust Broker Announces Long Expected Increase.

Washington, Feb. 7.—Announcement has Just been made by Arthur L. Sardy of Chicago, broker for the German Kali works, that the price *of muriate of potash has been increased from $35.75 per ton to $37.50. This price is still about $4 per ton less than that now actually paid by American buyers, inclusive of the German penalty, tax, although the Americans are still meeting the competition. Since the ,execution of contracts by Americans that would have enabled them to make a price of from $25 to S2O per ton in this country, which contracts have been held up by Germany, the price named by the German syndicate has ruled without change until this increase.

This Is the case in which the state department has been engaged for several months in diplomatic negotiations with Berlin. The American buyers under their contracts with German mines independent of the syndicate have already put up more than $3,000,000 as penalty tax, which will accumulate from now on. unless the state department Is successful In causing Genaaay to recede from Its position.

at the rate of about $1,000,000 per month. It Is this tax alone that maintains the price of potash and promises further increases. It has been pointed out by the American bdyera that, while our government is vigorously prosecuting American trusts, this foreign potash trust Is allowed to continue its operations in this country In violation of all our anti-trust laws. Tb~ German government, co-operating with its potash trust, has imposed a penalty tax solely upon our Imports of this product of nearly 150 per cent In spite of this handicap the American Interests have met the underselling of the German trust, which, having no penalty tax to pay, can put potash on the American market at a profit, while the Americana meet with a heavy loss. It is stated by the committee of American buyers that if Germany is compelled to recognise the contracts made by them In good faith and which Germany now attempts to repudiate, the price of potash, instead of Increasing, would drbp at least sl2 per ton under present prices, making kalnlt much cheaper than it has ever before been sold in this country.