The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-01-05

It almost inevitably happens that
those in possession of monopoly
are not content with the profits
arising from more efficient con-
duct of business, but feel irresist-
IDLY tempted to take advantage of
their opportunities by exactiDg
larger payments from the public.
In the instance of the sugar trust,
the lightness of the burden that
would fall upon each individual by
an advance in price of half cent or
cent per pound would be an addi-
tional reason why, when the trust
was completed, such an advance in
price should be attempted.
But even if the profits resulting
from combination were to be limited
to reduction in the cost of produc-
ton, the formation of trust of this
character would bring about serious
changes in business, some Of which
might be detrimental to this city.
1t is, we believe, admitted that the
cost OF refining sugar in and around
New York city is less than it is inand
around Boston. In the former place
the refineries are larger, and, on the
whole, better equipped. Taxes are
lower, water rates less, wages not
as high, freight rates from South
America and the West Indies are
less to New York than they are to
Boston, while the refined sugar can
be shipped from New York to points
of distribution in the West at low
er price than from this city. These
various advantages have enabled
the sugar refiners of New York to
make money out of their business at
times when the refiners of Boston
have been doing hardly more than
paying expenses.
Now, there is produced in and
around Boston four or five times as
much refined sugar rs is required to
meet the demands of our local
market. The excess has hitherto
been sent West to be sold in COM
petition with the product of New
York reiineries. But when the trust
management takes entire control,
the shrewd business men who will
then be in charge cannot fail to put
to themselves the question: Why
should we continue to carry on a
large refining business in Boston
when it would be more profitable to
us to transfer part of it to New
York city? Looking at the matter
in the light of business PROPOSE
tion, it is not only quite possible,
but fairly probable, that when the
trust management has thoroughly
established itself it will limit the
sugar refining business of Boston to
certainly not more than one-quarter
of It's present volume.
Such transfer will be obviously
detrimental to the trade interests of
our city. A large number of ves-
sells now annually arrive at this port
laden with sugar. Their cargoes
provide business and profit TO steve
dores and warehousemen, and the
vessels themselves supply the ton
mage needed for our export trade.
The retineries not only give direct
employment to q large number OF
our citizens, but there are a number
of trades and occupations that they
incidentally benefit, and it is there
fore, apparent that, however much
a
a change, its effect would be seri'
ously felt in Boston. We do moi
mean by this to assert that such s
transfer is now in contemplation.
but merely to point out that, by the
formation Of this sugar trust, the
logic of events makes a decline il
the sugar refining business Of Bostor
almost a foregone conclusion rs
f. Paper.