New-York tribune., 1882-02-07
DISCUSSING THE SUGAR TARIFF.

Inspector OF the Detective tOIce
DISCUSSING THE SUGAR TARIFF.
MEETING OF IMPORTERS AND REFINERs TO AGREE
UPON a UNIFORM DUTY-NfR. HAyEMEYER GETS
ANGRY.
Representatives. of about forty sugar importing and
refining firms met yesterday at No 81 FrOnt-st TO
try To agree upon one of two methods of tariff rates
Among the firms represented were; Grinnell Min
turn d Co., j. NJ. Ceballos 4 Co., Havemeyer 81
Elder, Fabbri & Chauncey Maitlanl, Phelps q Co..
Moses TAYLOR d Co., s. IL w. Welsh YOungs q Co,
Spence, Montague & Co.. II. X. q f. b. Thurber Il
Phillips & Co, f. o. Matthicson & Wcichers, Oel-
richs & Co., Molcr & Sierck the North River Sugar
Refining Company and Watson a FaT. B. + But
Ter acted as chairman. A committee was appointed
to recommend action in regard TO the Hawaiian
treaty, which admits sugar from the Sandwich Isl
ands free of duty. Osgood Welsh presented resolu-
tiouS. that Whichever method tariff received
majority vote should afteTward be supported unanI-
mousiy by the trade. The following were the two
methods proposed: A1yaOrem duties-Sngar
under No. -, Dutch standard, % per cent; above
No 13, Dutch standard 30 per cent; meladO, - Of
a cent pound, and moasses Dig cents gallon.
Specific dutes-Suglr not above No. l3, Dutch
standard. 1 cent p pound; between No. IL and No.
16, Dutch standard III cent nOund: No. lG 10 No;
20, Dutch standard. 13 cents pound; on all
above No. 20, Dutch standard. and on refined SUI
gars pip cents a pound.
Mr. Scarles stated that the meeting was called to
consider the question of revision of the sugar
tariff, and was the result of conference of the
sugar reiners and importers holding diverse opin-
on the tarlit question. This statement was fol-
lowed by a prolonged and spirited discussion: in
which Theodore A. Havcmeyer took the lead. Mr.
flayemeyer admitted that at recent meeting OF
the Teiiners it was proposed, under certain cOndi
tons that as the majority would decide upon the
tartl the mlnOrl XsShOuld be governed thereby lie
tncn spoke of preamble that was to accompany the
resolutions, and he said that Mr.. Seares had agreed
to iusertit but had not done so. Mr. Searles had de-
ceyed him IN stating that Boston and other cities
would dOas New-l York did He had since learned that
with one exception not reliner or importer m BoS-
ton would assent to single rate of duty. lie did
not believe there was any more chance OF carrying a
measure for uniform duty through Congress than of
building ladder to the moon; every interest was
opposed to il. He himself was opposed to any uni
form duty, and saw in the resolutions before the
meeting, " a snake III the grass
Mr. Seares-I deny the allegations of
Mr. lIaycmcYcr. / took special care at our
meeting last week TO staCe what were the conclu
sIOns arrived at at the reincrs meeting and the
arguments used, and Others corrOborated me. When
it suggested to postpone action until Mr.
Ilavcmeyer could be present, | assented. llr
Havemcycr here interrupted and again charged Mr.
SeaTles with deception Mr. HaYcmcycr to the
last Thursday meeting was a far summary OF the
proceedings at the retiners meeting. In reference
TO Boston, did state that beheved If the sugar
trade of NeW-lUTk would unite III proposing
uniform tariff rate that Boston, Philadelphia and
Baltimore would join IN the movement. have
heard nothing to convince me to the contrary and
think so yet. | would be glad to give Mr.. Have
never credit tor honesty III his explanation, but
since the last meeting | know that a pressure has
been brought 30 bear upon him BY his partners To
change ms views, and leel warranted III stating
what know to be his motive for backing down.
NT. IayemeyeI-l never doubted that majority
OF the trade III tlyor OF one rat OF duty conSe-
Quently | agreed to abide by It's VIII on condition
mat certain propositions were inserted IN the PIE
ambe. which conditions have not been fulfilled. so
far rs any influence that may have been brought to
bear upon me IN my own firm Is concerned, tn9t IS
my own affair. wanted to agree upon something,
for am tired ti tins continual hgt on the tarlH
Where's the preamble Z Wautcd TINS meeting not
only to take into cons der,lon al yaorcm ana spc-
enc rates, but to covenant with each other to op-
pose auy effort made To advance duties beyond one
cent pound. My condition a3 to the preamble was
not carried out thir's the reason | don't trust Mr.
Searcs ana | won't be led by him. | would never
gree the majority rule If these two propositions
arr 10 be all thar Is to be submitted.
M. Scarles denied Mr. Hayemeycrs charges, and
appeaed to others, VINO coHoDOratcd nm III ms de-
Ilr Wiechers-I consider single rate Of duty un-
iust and nrquitaDie.
Nlr ayeuleycr-When this compromise was sug-
gc>tcu. did not what one side would do for or
against the other. Ii could only Eaye the mem
bcrS OF the trade uind themselves TO the fact that
any rate OF duty beyond one cent pound was un-
Just and ncquItable, and have that pat in the pre-
amolc, n would he satisfactory. | have been
uccelyed, and don't Ike the way l have been
treated
Nh Welsh-TIow can it be possible for Mr. Have
meyer To suppose that he could get the trace to
bind usell to such cOnLtiOnsi Does he suppose
at we will write ourselves down as asses! Or
studify ourselves when we have many years
advocated higher rates of duty
Ar. ScaricS-I ulsclam any knowledge of any
such proposition as Dir iiaYeneyer claims To nave
made in Jhc presence OF the rctiuers. Had he made
il. ! should have considered II an insult to my own
intelligence, No such condition as he states was
Impose .. It WOulu have been than "a farce to
inVlie these men, VINO have for twenty five years
put thCmS- Ives on record as IN favor OF uniform
tartt and against any other, to bnd themselves To
oppose any duty above one cent 4 pound, upon the
ground Ot its beng unjust and mequtabe.
Mir. Melsh-Mr. Haycmeyer has characterized
these resolutions rs hiding snake in the grass
| deny the assertion. lii y Were intended an
olive branch. We have gwen way great Ieal, and
/ don't see how any man or set of men can hope
that we shall sacrifice all of our own interests to
those OF Others. heSe resolutions are far COM
promise and | Will INCLUDE III them a proposition
Tor a committee to see that whichever method Is
adopt Is carried out and TO see that no other
method or rates be sanctioned by the trade.
Mr.. hayemcyer, throwing his coat on his arm,
started to retire, looking very angry, when Mr.. Bur-
DICK, of BuTdIck, FTlsbee II Co., SAID he would de-
cune to vote unless the trade could have the coop
Grafton OI Alr. layemeyer for wi hOut him and his
following efforts of part of the trade would be
successful.
Alr. Haycmcyer-I have been misunderstood and
msstated here, and don't as 1t would be- of any
use to attempt urthcr explanation.
Nir. Searles-lhen | deny that | have misstated
the gentleman.
Mr.. Haycmeyer then retired in an angry and eX-
cited mood the resolutions were Withdrawn, and the
meeting adjourned at once.
MAYOR GRACE'S HORSE RUNS AWAY.
young lady of ms family, yesterday afternoon. his
horse shicd and jumped suddenly AT Seyenth-ayc
and Observation-Disclosures y-thlTd-St. and threw the
occuDautS of the sleigh into the SNOW. hey were