Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-11
WHY SUGAR IS DEARER.

1t has been favorite plea with tho
free trade theorists that the protective
tariff system is responsible for the ex-
istence of trusts and combines and their
injurious effects commerce. Taking
the sugar combine, the strongest and
most arbitrary in its control of the
market in that product, as an example,
and view its recent action in advancing
the price Of sugar in the light of the
action of congress reducing the rate of
duty thereon and the argument is
knocked into smithereens. The follow
ing resume of the sugar question, as to
present and prospective prices, from the
New York Times, made before the sugar
clause of the Mills bill was even taken
up for consideration by congress, and
before it was definitely known what its
action would be, gives a correct insight
into the methods of the coterie of indi-
viduals and firms, known as the COM
bine, in advancing prices, and in
arbitrarily controlling the market with
out reference to the question of tariff
duties. The Times says:
The cry was raised yesterday that the
Sugar Trust is about to increase the
price of sugar 1c per pound ostensibly
because of heavy demand and poor crop
of raw material.
An expert is reported to have made
prediction that sugar would be 1c per
pound higher by September. AT present
granulated sugar is selling at &c and
z 1-16c per pound at wholesale, and
about Lee per pound at retail. The con-
sumption is about one pound per week per
capita the year round, but during the
months of June, August and September.
when canning and preserving are popu-
lar, the consumption is almost double
that quantity. There is very little can
ming done this month.
A friend of the trust combination said
1t was mistake to attribute the con-
tinued advance in the price of sugar to
the Searles ring. 1t is the trust that con-
sumers and dealers have chiefly to do
with. and so, when the price is put up, it
is declared to be an arbitrary act on the
part OF Manager SearIes. The truth is,
said the friend of the combination that
the advance is due to the scarcity of raw
sugar. which has lately gone up. With
IN week the trust price was advanced
one-sixteenth of a cent per pound because
raw sugar of 96 centrifugal test went
up to one-siXteenth of cent. From
this it was agreed that the grower and
not the fefiner really got the benefit of
the advance.
\ member of the firm of Acker, NIer-
rail- & Condit stated that he did not be-
heve there was any certainty of an in
crease: If there was he could make
money by buying now. a member of
Thurber, Whyland & Co.. said he ex-
pected TO see an advance. but merely the
fraction Of a cent. This would be legiti-
mate, as there is a short crop. heavy
demand and increased consumption. A
combination may take advantage of the
conditions and get up corner on raw
material: in which case there is no tell
ing where prices would go.
Francis II. Leggett & Co. think the
market will have slack spell and the
price viii remain rather steady until
next month. During the past week the
trust has put up the price one-quarter
cent. 1t is turning out 10000 barrels
day, and clearing $4,000. The com
bine' could increase the price cents.
more or less. as il pleases. and the con-
sumner would be obliged to paw it. 1t is
an arbitrary body. and independent re-
timers can and do dispose of all the sugar
they produce at trust prices.