Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1908 — ISLAND SUGAR FEARED [ARTICLE]

ISLAND SUGAR FEARED

Philippine Product the “Black Bear" of Our Domestic Beet Sugar Producers. PLEA BT SECRETARY WRIGHT r ~ r He Thinks There Is Ho Danger for About Fifty Yean. Fordney Differs with Him—“ Trust" Referred to—Taft Cabinet Talk —Democratic Campaign Fund Inadequate. Washington, Nov. 17.—The allegation that the so-called "sugar trust’’ controls the price paid the grower anti the price charged the consumer of sugar, the secretary of war putting himself od record as a champion of free entry for Philippine sugar, and the general “stand pat" attitude of th • beet sugar growers who appeared before the ways and means committee of the liou«e, were the features of the day's bearing on the revision of the tariff as It would affect sugar. Secretary of War Wright and General Clarence Edwards, chief of the insular bureau, were present at the hearing, if was shortly after the afternoon session was begun that Chairman Payne asked Secretary Wright If he cared to make any remarks. Fear of the Beet Sugpr Growers. “I just beard that the committee was hearing arguments ou the tariff on sugar and tobacco, which affects the Philippine islands," said the ex-gov - ernor of the islands. “We are now having an investigations made in the Philippines regarding the cost of production in the islands, and other matters relating to the question. From what I have just heard the principal objection by tile beet sugar grower to tbe admission free of duty of PbllUppiue sugar lies in the danger that their markets will be inundated by the Philippine article. Does Not Think It Is Justified. “It is uot possible that the Philippine islands could supply the actual Increase In demand for sugar, year by year, in the I'nited States. In that case there is no reason why the Philippine islands should affect the market until the beet and cane sugar produced withiu tbe tariff wall Increases 1,800,000 tons. Before the beet sugar industry is in the sllghest danger it must Increase from 440,000 tons annually to 2,100,000 tons, and from annual reports it would take fifty yearn to do this. I can’t see how it would affect the domestic product If Philippine so* gar were placed for a time on the free ltet” The secretary added that he did not think the production of Philippine Otagar would increase to any extent

HINTS AT TRUST-CONTROL

Says That May Be Why Our Sugar Beet Industry Doesn't Grow. Continuing the secretary said: ‘"Hie beet sugar people say that the American Sugar Refining company has no In terest is tlifir factories [Fefwringi to the so-called •trust”], yet three years ago they said a trustee, understood Vo represent American Sugar Reflnbk Comp«ipy k owned 51 per cent of tile stock of 'all the beet sugar factories That may be the reason why the beet sugar industry in this country lias not grown. There has been no reduction In the prices of sugar in a number of years.” Represent a tlve Fordney, of Michigan, who has a large number of sugar beet farmers among his const! tutents, referring to the secretary’s statement that the production o i sugar in the Philippines would not Increase, told the secretary that the same argument was put forth with regard to the Cuban sugar several years ago, and yet the production in Cuba had increased very largely, and the beet sugar industry is this country had not increased very much. Much information concerning the coat of producing sugar, the profits derived. capital invested, and methods of growing and refining, were offered at the bearing. Colonel D. D. Colcock, on behalf of the Louisiana cane sugar growers, said that the methods by which the “trust” names the price which it would pay the grower were unfair and “damnable." Henry T. Oxnard, F. R. Hathaway, O. N. Smith. F. T. Scholes, G. W. McCormick and W. H. Baird, representing the beet sugar manufacturers of the west, asked that the present tariff be maintain ed, or If changed that it he increased, alleging that the margin of profit on beet sugar Was too email to permit of any competition with the foreign re liners. F. R. Hathaway, representing the Michigan Sugar company, charged that E. F. Atkins, who will appear today, representing the Cuban sugar growers, ’’not only prophesies, but threatens, a revolution in Cuba which would result iu the annexation of Cuba and ultimate free trade if the request for reduction is not granted.” Chairman Payne intimated that the committee , would recommend the admission free lof duty of a certain amount'of Philippine sugar.

NEWSPAPERS CAN GO AHEAD But Taft Will Not Decide on H|e Cabinet Until February. Washington, Nov. 17.—When a report in ehrculetion that National Gore

Httteeman Ward, of New York, might be selected for a cabinet portfolio under Taft was called to the attention of the White House Secretary Loeb’a only comment was that Judge Taft has sftld that “The newspapers may choose sire, but I will not decide that mat sire, but I will uot decide that matter until February.” Cincinnati; Nov. 17. “My visit to Cincinnati is a matter of personal and family business. It baa no relation to politics in any manner, but Is of such a matter that no public interest attaches, which makes it inexpedient for me to discuss it in detail.” This statement was the substance of what could be obtained from President-Elect Taft, who it would seam came to this city to attend the funeral of Miss Phoebe S. Baker, a life-long friend of bis family. The statement is so specific and positive that it is held to cover- reports - that his visit Lore was with reference to his brother’s candidacy for the United States senate. Judge Taft will leave here tonight for Hot Spriugs. HKARAT CALLS ON ROOSEVELT Hm Half an Hour’s Visit, but Didn’t Talk Politics. Washington, Nov. 17. William Randolph Hearst was a caller at’ the White House last night After hla visit which was about half an hour in duration, lie said he had not dlscussed politics with the president, having merely paid him a social call. Discussing Senator Foraker’a letter in which he Ohio statesman'defended bis connection with the Standard Oil company. Hearst authorized sie Associated Press to make the following statement: “I hove no desire to debate the mntwitb the Standard Oil company. Mr. Foraker, however, begins his defense with a statement which is disingenuous, to say the least. He speaks of ‘Mr. Hearst’s charges,’ as if the matter at lame were merely a question of my assertion. Now I distinctly refrained almost entirely from comment. I produced the letters and laid them before the public, confident that the citizenship of the country could draw correct conclusions. Mr. Foraker now makes a defense uot to my charges, for I have not made any, but to the letters and certificates of deposit” ■ - - - - i DU> NOT “PAT THE FREIGHT” Democratic Campaign Contributions Left a Deficit, Says Mack. New York, Nov. 17. —The contributions to the Democratic national commi tee during the presidential campaign

recently ended were i*>t sufficient to meet the expenses of * the campaign, according to Norman E. Mack, chairman of the committee. Mack said that he would make the deficit good out of his own pocket, and that h* would regard it as a personal obligation to see that every bill was paid. A Statement of the receipts and expenditures of the committee will be filed with the secretary of the state at Albany on Nov. 24. To a reporter who asked Mack who was going to pay for the maintenance of permanent Democratic headquarters which are to be opened soon, either in Washington or New York, Mack said: ‘The Democratic party of the United States is going to pay for it. I have had offers from every state in the union to contribute to a fund for the porpose.” Will Respond if Called. Washington, Nov. 17.—Referring to the efforts that are making to put the New York senatorial toga on him Secretary Root has made a statement the nnb of wLlcb is: “I am not seeking the office of senator • • • But If the legislature of New York, representing the people of the state, feels that I can render useful service to the state and the country in the senate, and calls me to reader that service, I shall respond to the call and accept the office.” More Criticism of Roosevelt. Philadelphia. Nov. 17.—-Resolutions criticising President Roosevelt's recent letter on religion in Its relation to political We were Introduced at the weekly meeting of the Philadelphia Baptist Ministerial association by the Rev. Dr. A. Si Hobart, professor of Bible and of pastoral theology at Oozier seminary, Chester. At his request the resolutions were referred and action on them postponed until the meeting on Monday of next week.