New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-31
HoT TO BEAT MONOPOLIES.

Some months ago, in discussing the probable
supply of wheat, it was suggested that too little
attention had been paid to the variations ID
consumption caused by differences in price. The
cron wear has closed without the enormous for
eipn demand which was predicted, and those
who attempt to reconcile their calculations of
deficiency in supplies with the actual state of
the markets here and abroad, find their task
very difficult, except upon the supposition that I:
First-American consumption was dimin-
ished by the unnaturally high price of wheat
and of bread during part of the year about as
much as the estimated loss in practical supply
by deficiency in weight of last years crop.
For the returns correspond closely with the
usual estimates, without any allowance on the
one hand for deficiency in weight or on the
other hand for reduced consumption.
Second--Either the accepted European esti-
mates of last years yield were below the truth
or the consumption in some European countries
fell below the usual average. The latter sup
position is apparently the more reasonable, be-
cause it is known that about Z 1000, 600 bush
els of corn were exported from this country, Of
which a considerable part was probably used
instead Of wheat.
There are symptoms Of a similar state OF
things in the sugar business. Statistical au-
thorities have asserted that there was going to
be a scarcity amounting to famine. But all
their reckonings were based upon the notion
that the world would buy and consume as much
sugar costing over cents here as it consumed
a few years ago of sugar costing less than
cents here There was no reason In such
calculation and retail dealers have complained
Of late that the purchases of consumers in this
country have diminished remarkably. West
India refining sugar, which sold in London at
Os. Cd. per hundredweight two years ago and
12s. Cd. one year ago, sold at 20S. 3D. at the
end of June, and it would be one OF the most
marvellous events Of the time if no decrease
in consumption should result from so great a
change in cost.
But it is easy to see that all the calculations
of the SPECTATORS and the trust are likely to
be defeated, if there has been on both sides OF
the ocean any considerable decrease in the guam
tity of sugar consumed. A decrease of only
one-tenth in the consumption in this country,
which is smaller shrinkage than might have
been expected with rise OF 20 per cent IN
price, would almost balance the estimated de-
fciency in the whole worlds supply and a
like decrease in Europe would leave the re-
duced supply more than 200, 900 tons in ex-
cess of the reduced consumption. Whether any
such decrease in consumption has appeared
abroad may not be accurately ascertained for
some time to come, but there is much evidence
that it has begun in this country.
The consumers have always this one ire
sStible defence against trade mOnopolies and
extortions Forced to carry great stocks In
order to control the market, the monopoly can
always be crushed by moderate economy on
the part of consumers. The French copper
syndicate had at command many millions of
capital, but a shrinkage of quarter in the
worlds consumption of copper broke down the
combination in a year. Any American can
without serious deprivation cut down his pur-
chases of sugar more than tenth, but shrink
age in consumption to that extent would soon
put the Sugar Trust into difficulties.