The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-11-28
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY
How I Refinery May Be Estab-
lished Here.
HAWAII VERY NEAR THE SOUND.
xhs short Haul Gives Seattle : Great
Advantags-E6sct Of the Reciprocity
Treaty-Bees Culture.

The peculiar interest Of the people Of the
United States in the Hawaiian islands ID
attributable to the value placed upon the
sugar industries Of that section. The mat
ter Is Of special interest to the people Of
Seattle just now owing to the fact that
project Is on foot to establish large sugar
refinery in this city. The preliminary
steps have already been taken, and . large
amount Of capital stock has already been
subscribed on . proposition submitted by
the projectors Of the enterprise.
The proposition is that If the citizens OF
Seattle would raise 100000 the people of
Honolulu would raise like amount. and
Mr.. Fred Ward has agreed to add another
$1,000 thus making the capital stock Of
the company $4,000. The PROJECT has
met with such general favor that it is
likely that the stock will be increased to
$1,000. 600. The matter will be worked up
systematically, and it viii probably take
six months to get everything in proper
shape. The projectors Of this enterprise
do not intend calling on the subscribers
for any of the money until the success of
the scheme and the profits arising there
from are fully demonstrated. The people
OF Honolulu will raise $500. 600 If necessary.
Already unsolicited subscriptions have
Jeen received for about half of the $780,
600 wanted here. These subscriptions ara
from some of Seattle's best citizens, and 1t
is thought that this amount can easily be
doubled.
While $500, 600 may b Ill that II required
to engage in this enterprise, by putting the
capital stock at 81 900 COO this institution
will b put on an equal footing with the
sugar refineries of San Francisco The
sugar business has always been profitable,
and the advantages Seattle has over San
Francisco will materially add to the profits
to be realized. The subject is Of the great
est importance and nothing would do more
toward building mp the city than the estab-
lishment of . large refinery here. The
islands are dependent upon this country
for everything, and We have all of the
staple articles, such as lumber, iron, coal,
-four, ETC., to furnish ships for . return
cargo.
The people of Honolulu have grown quite
wealthy, but, having no place at home in
which TO advantageously invest their sur.
plus. have turned their attention toward
Seattle as suitable and safe place for in
vestment.
The trade with Hawaiian islands Is the
greatest trade America enjoys with any
foreign land in proportion to population.
On this important subject the San Fran
cisco Commercial Herald Of January %, 1850,
says: "The sugar refining industry Of this
city has developed into one OF the most
prosperous manufacturing occupations in
the United States"
The quantity Of sugar imported to this
country increased from 10000 600 pounds
In 1877 to $4,000 900 pounds In 1882, and
the total import Of sugar from the
Hawaiian islands for the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1875. was 17.063, 1873 pounds.
From that date to September 8. 1876 when
the treaty went into effect, n, 414,074
pounds were imported. The quantity i'm
ported during the fiscal year ending June
30, 1883, was 115.325077 pounds. In 1888
there were 1872. 600 900 pounds
The exports Of these commodities have
so grown that the trade of San Francisco
is third in importance, being equaled only
by Great Britain and China, and exceeding
that Of Mexico, Australia and British
Columbia. Louisiana in 1880 produced
Ill, FOG hogsheads Of sugar, and the other
states 7.l66 making total of 1882 hogs
heads. For several years before the con-
sugar consumed was bought at Batavia
and Manila and paid for almost wholly in
gold coin. It was imported in foreign yes
entire profits upon it went to foreigners.
The San Francisco Journal Of Commerce
and Price Current, In its annual review Ct
1885, says: "The Hawaiian trade is one of
the greatest engaged in by San Francisco"
and that 1.-THE Hawaiian islands come in
second place next to Great Britain and Ire
land"
Since the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty
there 10 no reason why We cannot have
portion Of this trade here on the Sound.
We have shorter hauls across the CONT
nent. and large country is being opened
up.
The l32. 600 900 pounds of sugar shipped to
San Francisco in 1888 required an immense
feet to haul it. The least value that could
be put upon the sugar is cents q pound,
and represents So, 10000. Regarding the
cost of the raw product at and cents
pound, and of the refined sugar, whole
sale, at from to 8 cents. there il good
margin for profit. OF the So, SOC. 600 Of sugar
imported in 1888 there was return bal
ance of trade of s., 100000.
1t has been reported that Claus 6preckels
controlled the sugar business of the islands,
an impression that he likes to spread
abroad, when In fact he does not control
one.tenth part Of II. He owns one large
plantation. and 1t is reported that he has
paid 100000 to keep the sugar refinery on
Eighth street in San Francisco idle.
By having q sugar refinery established
here the cultivation of beets would be en-
couraged for the purpose of manufacturing
beet sugar. and the farmers would thus be
very greatly benefited and the value Of their
beets would very materially increase.
Mr. George r. Carter, of the Sandwich
islands, whose father was engaged In the
sugar business in Honolulu, was seen by
PosT-IETELLIGENcER reporter, and said:
1.-THE Sandwich islands are said to be the
richest in the world. and the cane seems to
thrive best where the ocean breeze sweeps
over it. The project Of sugar refinery
here 10 practicable, and ~ San Francisco
has built up wonderful trade through her
factories, there is no reason why Seattle
should not enjoy the same privileges. In
fact there are many natural causes which
would give Seattle advantages. All west
bound vessels have 70 60 TO higher lati-
tude than Seattle in order TO get the benefit
of the trade winds. hence it would b .
shorter distance to this point than TO San
Francisco. This IL the natural outlet for
vhst country which wonld Be . good mar
ket for refined sugars, and ths transconti-
mental roads from here would give as good