The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-23
SPEAK UP HAVEMYER
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRUSTS CALLS
FOR PROFITS OF SUGAR TRUST.
Chairman Harter, with the Innocence
of n Child. Sends Out n Letter
Asking for Figures.

WASHINGTON, July 22.-The following
letter from the chairman OF the House sub
committee on trusts TO the president of the
American Sugar Refining Company was
mailed tonight:
III. o. Havemyer, Esq. President of the
American Sugar Refining Company, New
York:
Dear Sir-If you will supply to me. as
chairman Of the subcommittee on trusts OF
the committee manufactures, the infor-
nation asked for herein, l Will see that ii
is laid before the House. a free-tTader
myself. and believing that no tax should be
levied on sugar tor anything else) except
for revenue, nevertheless, practical
ly every article of general consumption is
20 retain protection, l feel no prejudice
against the sugar interest such, and
think large number of the members of
the House entertain the same view. As,
however, the Sugar Trust demands pro-
lection, or more properly speaking, de-
mandS the taxation of the public for its
proht. 1t should put before Congress and the
public its real condition, so that an intelli-
gent opinion of the merits of its demand
may be formed If, on an actual and neceS-
sary investment of cash capital il cannot
save itself from losses without burdening
the taxpayers, then II has as much justi-
fcatton (and more) for being fed from the
public resources by taxation. as many in
dustries which we, in passing the Wilson
bill, allowed to remain on the charity list.
III, however, its profits have been excessive,
When inquired on an actual cash and un-
minded man, will agree with me that you
should not have any legislative favors. In
such an event tax of 1 cent per pound
upon lOO-degree sugar for revenue only,
would be a fair and equitable one permit
ting a reduction of one one hundredth of a
cent for each degree of sweetness lacking.
such tax as this. while taking nothing
TO the treasury OF your company, would
pour great many millions into the govern
ment Golfers. The Information asked for is
comprehended under four heads:
tay Inc
u. e., cost of replacing) of the plants
actually in operation and necessary TO pro,
out by your company?
profits of hays been the astTa
company for each full fiscal year since
It's organization, and what are it's profits
SO far. far in the current year?
Ihlrd-What annual salary Is paid to
each OF its general officers?
,litai is the actual paid-in cash
their real cash market value, and what is
the present surplus fund of the company,
including all individual profits?
The Mckinley bill gives the sugar re-
hners an opportunity of collecting from the
consumer tax of y cent per pound on all
the consumption of all classes of sugar
during the past three fiscal years aggre-
gated 12,95G,SO2,4t pounls, fully 9oO050,OOO
Of which were above this limit. 1t follows,
therefore, that the Sugar Trust and the
independent refiners in the United States
peoples money, while the government got
during the three years only $40. ISL AS
your company asks continued favorS, the
propriety of supplying the country with
the information asked herein will not be
questioned by reasonable a man or
business yourself.
You are Democrat and will | trust
1oin me in the hope that within a few
years the present wretched system of tax
ing the people under the misleading name
of protecton) for the benefit of private in
terests VIII be done away with entirely
and forever. Yours truly,
MICHAEL d. HARTER"