The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-02-25
THE GREAT SUGAR QUESTION.
Hobbies at the Capital-Favoring
the Beet Sugar Industry.

Various Interests Represented in the
Hobbies at the Capital-Favoring
the Beet Sugar Industry.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Claus Spreck-
els entered Washington quietly this
morning, and during the day held a
conference with several OF his friends.
The "Sugar King" is vastly interested
in legislation this winter, and his infor-
NAL visits always portend something of
Importance to California.
From his office in Philadelphia he
watches the course of legislation closely,
and when he makes his appearance at
the capital it is either to turn the crank
little against one measure or in favor
OF another.
Mr. Spreckels, as might be supposed.
is opposed to any change in the tariff on
sugar, and coolly confesses it. In this
he will, in all probability, be supported
by majority of the California delega-
ton. Although on the face of it vote
against a reduction in the tariff might be
construed as being in defiance of public
opinion, it is argued on behalf of the Pa
cifc Coast representatives. that cut in
the tariff would injuriously affect the
future of the beet sugar industry, which
many believe to be one of the coming in
dustries of California at least.
Charles n. FELTON,, who spends some
little time in Washington, is an apostle
of the sugar beet. He sturdily main
tains that it will in time, and very
short time at that, become the greatest
of all the California products and a
source of unlimited wealth to the pro-
Queer. 1t must, however, he adds, be
properly protected or its bright future
will be nipped in the bud. He therefore
favors the present tariff, or, if possible,
one little higher.
FELTON, is an earnest advocate, a clever
talker and good manager, all of which
may account for his success in holding
the home delegation, or number Of
them, we'll up to their work on the sugar
question. Representative Mckenna,
who is on the Ways and Means Com
mittee, is enthusiastically in favor of
beet sugar, and consequently be ex-
pected to array himself against reduc-
ton.
Mr.. FELTON,, as a final and most con-
elusive argument in favor of the present
tariff, announces his intention of inves-
ting at least half a million dollars in the
beet-sugar industry as soon as protec-
ton is guaranteed. He appears very
much in earnest in the matter, and
those who know him believe that he
will invest the amount in California
under favorable conditions.
Mr.. Spreckels and Mr.. FELTON, are,
however, somewhat handicapped in
their fight by the known existence OF
of the Sugar Trust. The representatives
of this gigantic combination are, unfor-
tunately for the two Californians, also
advocating in favor OF maintaining the
present tariff. Their work is being done
quietly, but it is a notorious fact that its
agents are at present in the capital.
Then again there are some skeptical
people who doubt that Mr.. Spreckels
and the Sugar Trust are really at war,
despite the formers oft-repeated asser-
tons in the affirmative. They state
candidly that the talk of any fight be-
tween the two, whose interests are SO
closely allied, is nonsense. They add
that the cry for protection to beet sugar
is blind, and merely intended to be
used as a lever for the protection of the
trust and "Sir Claus"
The skeptlcs are very numerous, and
it would not be at all surprising if the
Republican majority is convinced that a
raid on sugar would prove popular, espe-
cially as it is Southern industry and
Mr.. Spreckels' pet project would be de-
feated.
The Hawaiian Noble has to advance as
well as retard legislation. While desir-
GUS of preventing reduction in the sugar
tariff, he also wishes to advance the bill
providing for subsidies to the merchant
marine. 1t is probable that Representa-
tive Morrow's bill suits him. At any
rate the bill will be favored by any gen
tleman having Mr.. Spreckels' wishes at
heart.