St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-14
KING HAvEMEYER TALKS.
Ne WILL KlF INDICATE THE AMOUNTS
GIVEN TO
THE POLITICAL PARTIES.

HAOEO AOx obuC0 TIC
Trust Was ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
6earles Says He Has Made 1t
a Business to Influence Legis-
Iation.
WASHINGTON. June 13.-Mr. Have
meyer. who yesterday stated that he
could not give the amounts Of the sugar
trdsps contribution to the campaign
funds Of the different states. but indi-
Gated willingness to do SO.
said to the committee that upon
consultation with counsel he would
decline to give the amounts of
the contributions; that he was advised
that. under the terms of the resolution.
the amount of such contribution was no
part Of the Investigation. The commit
tee also took this view Of the matter. as
the witness has sworn that no contribu-
tons had been made in any case to
secure the election of senators.
Mr.. Ravemeyer stated that in the last
three years the
PROFITS OF THE TRUST
had been g cent per pound on refined
sugar. and the increased cost to the
consumer under the proposed bill would
be cent pound. He admitted that
the purpose of the formation of the
trust was to increase the cost to the
American consumer.
Senator Allen-And when you did
form the trust you did advance the
price of sugar to the American con-
sumner?
Mr.. Havemeyer-We did. 1t was an
advance Of about quarter of cent net.
Senator Allen-And the American
consumer is today paying three-eighths
cents on refined sugars more than he
would be compelled TO pay under sys-
TEN of separate refineries?
Mr.. Havemeyer-Yes, sir.
Senator Allen = II the trust were
wiped out the American consumer
would be benefited to the extent of
three-eighths Of a cent pound on his
sugar.
Mr.. Hayemeyer-I will admit that.
But anything that will wipe out the
trust will wipe out the industry.
John A. Searles, secretary and treas
urer of the American Sugar Refining
company, was the subject of the COM
mittee's questions from to O'Clock
this afternoon.
Mr.. Searles frankly admitted that he
had made it his business to influence
legislation favorable to the sugar trust,
and that for this purpose had called
upon and Iabored
WITH MANY SENATORS.
The witness stood upon his rights,
however. when asked about campaign
contributions, and declined IN several
instances to answer questions on this
subject. He declined TO state the
amount expended in 1892 on the ground
that it was not within the province of
the inquiry.
do you not" asked Mr.. Allen, ''de-
cline to state simply because you know
it was disreputable and unlawful to
contribute this money!"
mo, sir, do not," replied Mr..
Searles, "admtt anything of the kind"
Senator Allen-Yuu think it IS per-
fectly laudable for the American Sugar
Refining company to contribute large
sums of money by the thousands of
dollars for the purpose OF influencing
elections in this country, do you?
Mr.. Searles-I have always under
seooo lH uduy years Lllat II IL Tie
custom Of both. parties to solicit from
corporations and individuals contribu-
tons for the carrying on of their
| political campaigns and that it is
The custom OF corporations and individ-
uals to respond to such invitations.
And with that understanding and what
l believe to BIZ a general custom, the
American Sugar Refining company has
mad3 such contributions at times.
Senator AIIeu-Do you believe it is
perfectly proper for corporation, the
value of whose stocks may be affected
by national legislation, to contribute it's
funds to the success or defeat OF one
political party or the other?
Mr.. Searles- think as parties are
now managed that it is proper.
Senator Allen-And the American
Sugar Refining company. as company,
WAS acruated by a high sense of patriotic
duty in contributing this money. I sup
pose?
MIR. Searles-That is a pleasant way
OF putting it.