New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-24
ONE OF THE TRUSTS.

Two years ago lair refining sugar SOFA at
81 A per 90 pounds, granulated at 20 a. and
crushed at So l2. The cost Of refining then APP
peared to Justify difference Of 81 90 per %
pounds between the raw sugar and the granu-
lated. and 81 SO between the raw sugar and the
crushed. Now the prices are - OG FOR TAR re-
Hning, SO for graduated and 50 80 for crushed.
The reliners now exact 81 81 per 90 pounds
for their services between the raw and granu-
lated sugar, and 50 "A per 90 pounds between
the raw and the crushed
But that does not tell the whole story. The
Sugar Trust made its boast at the outset that II
could control the market for raw sugar in this
country, and It appears to have done SO at
times AZ other times, opponents OF the trust
arc supposed to have advanced the price OF law
sugar either in an effort to get supply or IN an
endeavor to embarrass the combination. In
either case the real cause OF the unnatural state
OF the market is the conspiracy to eXtort money
from consumers, aud the facts prove that mp to
date the amount Of money extorted has been
large. Roughly, the consumption at hity
pounds per capita costs about three cents per
pound more than II formerly did, or 81 90 for
every inhabitant, 81 90 for every family and
S97 800. 600 for the entire population. The
whole revenue derived by the Government from
the duties OIL sugar Of al kinds was only
$50, 900 900 last year. II the Government
could spare the revenue, aud put m end TO the
sugar combinations by repeating all duties, 1t
would simply present to the people sum nearly
twice as large as il now takes from them hy the
duties.
The theory that the advance in price has been
brought about by natural causes only does not
bear scrutiny. There is n vast deal OF con
fnsng talk bout the statistical position. but
there has been no Srh change in the world :
supply Of sugar as to excuse rise Of 90 per
cent in price. The international Convention,
which WAS intended to put an end TO payment
Of bounties in Germany and France, has re-
ported sundry propositions but the British GOV
eminent has refused TO take the responsibility
of bringing the matter 10 vote, and ndhlng
can come OF il in other countries without the &C
cessiun Of Great Britain. proposition to cut
of part Of the import duty and 10 substitute
bounty to American consumers was favored IN
the Senate last winter, but could not pass a
free trade House
When Congress assemblies next winter, il
the Sugar Trust lives So long. one Of the most
important duties before representatives Of the
people will be TO consider whether the existing
dnties ON sugar. raw and refined, tend in any
way to aid or encourage combination 10 eN
tort money from American consumers, aud IN
what way the duties can be SO changed n most
efTertualIy 10 defeat that combination. FOR
there is no room for doubt about the hostility
Of this particular trust 10 the public interest.
Il has in fact suppressed production NJ important
works aud il mas in fact nCrea Sed the cost oi
sugar 10 consumers. It's organizers and de
tenders have asserted that the existing duties
| do not help the trust In the slightest degree.
and that their repeal would not lessen its power.
| Congress will find itself flowed by public
| opinion 10 look into the matter very closely.
| and 10 make il entirely clear that members d.
| not mean TO leave any reasonable or proper
thing undone that may help to protect the pub
| lie against extortiOn.
| Had the business Of refining sugar been left
free. it would have deserved consideration with
| other industries 4 bounty to producers OF
| American refined "a well as Of raw sugar, il il
| can be strictly limited that no part OF it can
ever be paid to a concern connected with or
controlled or operated by combination to fix
prices and control production, would be justified
az a means Of effectually encouraging sugar
| production in this country. That it is possib e
| TO render a nation completely independent Of
all others in this respect Germany has shown