The oasis., 1894-08-30
the refineries in this country.

There was imported during the ldsI twelve months 5S, ,23O, PAP pounds of re- fined sugar, an increase of 25,0OO,0 900 pounds over the corresponding period of the previous year. The imports Of refined sugar decreased from about 30, ,OOO,0 900 to about 100000 pounds during the same period. The foreign value of the refined sugar thus import ed was 3.sO cents per pound. Add to this the present duty of half a cent per pound and the selling value would be 3.30 cents, but if 1t came from Ger many 4.40 cents, to which should be added the freight and other charges. The average wholesale selling price Of refined sugar during the last six months has been 1 cents pound, about four-tenths of cent less than the cost of the reined sugar that was imported. This is one of the anoma- lies of the business that Is not easy to explain. It is clear, however that the refining interests will be restrain ed by the threatened competition Of foreign sugar from excessive charges beyond the legitimate profits of their business.
 "A. Is there any law under which Attorney.General Olney could abolish the sugar trust, and if so, what reason does he give for not doing it?'
 About year ago the attorney-gen- eral brought suit under the antitrust law against the Harrison Refining company of Philadelphia, which is a member of the trust The case was tried in the United States District court in Philadelphia, the solicitor general and the United Ststes district attorney appearing for the United States, with the Hon. MT. Phillips Of North Carolina, for many years solici- tor-general, as special counsel. After hearing all the testimony and ar guments the court decided that the sugar trust is not monopoly, be- cause it does not exercise or possess the exclusive right to manufacture sugar in this country; it having been shown in the testimony that there are independent reiineries in existence which have not been interfered with by the trust in any manner, and that there is nothing to prevent the estab- lishment of other independent refine ries at any place or by any individual. The court also held that there was nc testimony to show that the trust had lnterfered In any way with interstate commerce in sugar, or refused to sell sugar to any other person or corpora. tion, or discriminated in favor or against any of it's customers. On the contrary, the evidence was clear that it has supplied all applicants with whatever amount they desired to pur. chase, and that there was no evi dence to show that the combina' tion of sugar-rehners known as the trust is contrary to the public wei fare. On the contrary it was clearly proved by the daily market report: that the cost of sugar to the public had constantly diminished since the formation of the trust, that its price was lower at the time of the trial thar it had ever been and the testimony o chemical experts was unanimous anC uncontradicted that the sugar furn ished the public hy the trust is abso lutely pure, healthful and wholesome Tn short, the trust succeeded in COL vincing the court that instead of be Ing a cruel and grasping monopoly i is a philanthropic institution and great public benefit. An appeal wa taken by the government, which i