Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-10-13

- AAtAAat1ts LAC ANtAA tkTtA W VOW IIltx VII
tered the restaurant hungry for supper.
and when the cook and servants saw
him come in wrapped In his shroud they
rushed out through windows and doors,
shaking with fright --Alaskan News
SUGAR SALARY ROLL.
THE ENORMOUS WAGES PAID sy THE
SUGAR TRUST.
workmcn who Earn Prom $3.50 TO $3.50
Every Day In the Relnerlcs- Better Paid
Than In Any Other Factories That Il. II
Havemeyer's Figures Are Reliable.
The bureau Of statistics Of the treasury
department has estimated the consump-
ton of sugar in the United States for
the year ending June 80. 1894, at
4, s4s. 900, 500 pounds.
The Sugar trust representatives used
to claim that the cost Of refining sugar
was five-eighths cent per pound Later
they allowed that it cost only ono-half
cent. and later still they have acknowl-
edged to cost Of only three-eighths
cent per pound to refine sugar.
If we apply these various costs to last
years consumption, we get at tho total
cost Of refining as follows:
Cost to reiins
per pound. Total cost
Cents. OF refining.
<.3l3, 20o, 5oo............... $s7.ltAue0
4,343. 20. 800 ............... "a xlIlo,On
ABS, 20, 300 .......s......, " lesSs3.uD
We thus find that within tho past
year the three varied statements which
have been set forth by the Sugar trust
as to the cost of refining sugar show o
discrepancy Of $40. s5S. 025. Which one
are we to believe is the correct one? Let
us try to find out.
The average weight OF barrel Of
sugar may be taken at S25 pounds,
which means total annual oonsump-
ton of IS, 1893, 720 barrels o year In the
United States. II the refneries work ON
825 days in each year, 1t means daily
output of Al, ii9 barrels. II they work
only ON an average of 800 days yearly,
it means an average daily output Of
"A, 500 barrels Of sugar.
1t takes 800 men on an average 10 do
the entire work Of refining and deliver
ing an output Of 5000 barrels Of sugar
daily, and this is liberal allowance.
We thus have total of $4,000 men con-
stantly employed throughout the year
to handle an output Of 10, 900 barrels.
If we compare the number Of persons
thus employed by the refiners with the
total cost of refining sugar. we are en-
abled to ascertain their annual wages
Thus:
Average wages
Cost OF refining. OF 1000 men.
Per pound. Total. Yearly. Daily.
" cent. Sa.i8.00o $e,aKa q u
hcent. sl.1le.0E l.en @
81 cent. iG.2s7.@5 I.37 462
This is remarkable exhibit Il seems
remarkable from several points Of view.
We find that the reduced estimates In
the cost of refining sugar have caused a
reduction Of IS per day in the wages
earned by the refinery. employees. from
1854 down TO 81. SO per day, from "a,
263 down to 1857 per annum. This Is
a serious decline in wages since the
country passed into the hands Of Dem
ocratic administration, yet we have
heard no complaints from these sugar
workers, who evidently are still content
with paltry 81. SO per day.
But 1t has been stated repeatedly in
the public press that the sugar refinery
workers earn only 81. so and 81 per day.
Taking the larger sum and we would
only have 5000 year for each, or 81,
200, 600 a year for all What can be-
come of tho remaining millions: Is II
all absorbed by the salaries Of the high
officials Of the refineries. $40, 600, 900 a
year, or ga, 500, 900 q year, or even
50, 200, 600 a year ON the basis Of q
three-eighths cent per pound cost Of re-
filming?
Not long since Mr. Havemeyer stated
that there wers 30, 900 persons employed
directly and indirectly in tho business
of sugar refining. Let us agree with
him for the moment, and let US pay
them each - per day during 800 day.
| in the year. This gives us total ex'
penditure Of $l2, 900, 900 and still
leaves, ON the lowest trust basis of ths
| cost Of refining. a trifie Of "a. 287. OBS t
| be absorbed--hows
II the head officials Of the refineriei
do not absorb "a, 287, 035 In salaries,
then it must go to the men. But thers
are not 30. 900 persons employed in tn.
sugar refineries of the United States
There are only $4,000 hands The mer
who do the hnuling and delivering d
| sugar should not even be taken into &C
count in any adjustment Of. the sugai
tariff schedule. because they will al
ways find employment Sugar win b
delivered from some source and con
suned-
Let every manufacturer and every la
borer consider for himself II an average
daily wage of a. SO, or an annual wag'
Of 1887. be not considered as fairl,
good pay. this being ON the lowest basi
Of the cost Of refining for 10. 900 men
IL Is much larger than any average O
wages rs given in any other industry o
the country in the census reports Of 1890
Perhaps it was this extreme liberalit,
on the part Of the sugar refners tina
caused them to withhold their report
from the census officials. They ma,
have feared causing discontent anon
other wage earners. They may hsv
dreaded such a demand for employmen
as would have compelled them TO reduc
their liberal wages They may hav
even dreaded the publicity Of their en-
trelne hberality, these modest sugar re
fiDers.
II the cost Of refining sugar In th
United States were only one-quarte
cent per pound. it would give Q tota
annual expense account Of so, 65S. ooo
Deducting 10 per cent for expenses othe
than labor, this would give an averag
of over $500 year from every one Q
10, 900 employees. Deducting even .
per cent for expenses other than Labor
it would still leave t725 q year for eac
employee. which is far In excess Of any
thing recorded In the census report Q
', 1890. az the average payment Of wage
In any other American industrial entel
prise.
Il Will tear watching--Hill.