The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-06-10

This difference between ths cost Of
centrifugal and granulated sugar has
now been maintained for some time
and the trust manifests disposition 70
continue its extortion without the
slightest regard TO public protesta or 20
proceedings in the courts. Estimates
Of the cost Of refining vary inmewhat,
but II is certainly safe TO say that half
cent 70 fivc-eighths Of cent per
pound will more than cover all the ex'
penscs Of producing granulated from
centrifugal sugar. The differences be-
tween the actual cost Of refining. what
ever II may BE-. and the charge now
made BY the American Sugar Refining
Co. for graduated sugar represents
the extortion which. on account Of its
monopoly In the markets. that company
proposes 70 continue. At the above
rate Of profit, the consumption in this
country being about sixty-tive pounds
for every inhabitant. the sum paid 70
the sugar refining company in excess Of
the actual cost Of refining Is something
like forty cents for every inhabitant.
In other words, this greedy monopoly
takes from the people at the rate Of
more than $4,000, 900 year. undonbt-
cdly ii Is entitled 70 fair profit. 4
reasonable interest on the cost Of plants
and machinery may fairly be allowed.
/ But no man will pretend that a reason
able interest means S9j,o0J.ooo wear
on plant which could be reproduced
for about S35.O0O.o0O
\ Congress can end this matter by re-
moving the duty on refined sugar.
| There is no reason whatever for contin-
| uing that dnty. since the most compc-
tent officers Of the refining company
have themselves repeatedly stated that
they were fully able 70 refine sugar in
4 the United States as chcaply a. il could
be refined i'm any other country. The
labor entering into me operation forms
but an insignificant part Of the cost.
Years ago. when the rate of interest in
this country was relatively very high.
there was some excuse for saying that
the costly machinery and plants in
volvcd a higher charge for interest on
capital in this country than in other
countries where sugar refining Is large
liz carried on. But in these days the
rate Of interest has come 70 be approx
mately the same in different countries.
The capital OF all the civilized world
has come to be available at an hours
notice in any of the money markets q
the world. There is no necessity 70:
protecting the capital Of the sugar re-
timing interest in this country, noi
would there be reasonable excuse fol
such protection if the monopoly had not
grossly abused its powers. But In
view Of the extortion which II has thus
far practiccd, there is the strongest rea
son for insisting in the interest Of con
sumers Of this country upon the remova
of the duty
The majority in the house Of repre-
sentatives has no occasion 70 hesitate II
regard To this matter. 1t can do n,
more popular thing, nothing NOR
surely calculated 10 win the approval
? and favor of voters throughout the coun
try. than to pass a bill making refine'
, sugar free of duty. II the majority i
) the senate rejects such a bill. the re
sponsibility will rest with that bod
and the political body which control
| the senate. There is no reason to sup
! pose that the president would interpps'
a veto Of such a measure, but If h
should il would be for him particular
/. Nv unfortunate error. The people ar
tired Of the extcrtion Of the sugar trust
! They do not want 70 wait until lega
, technicalities can be fought ont in tn
courts Their representatives in cor
4 gress are abundantly able 70 defen
\ their interests. and Will be held ri
sponsiblc II they faiL-N- Y. Daily Coz.
: mercial Bulletin.