The morning call., 1894-06-14
HAVE NO SHAME.
Sugar Trust Officials
Placid.
HOW PRICES ARE KEPT UP.
Consider Political Contributions
Quite Proper.
MR.. HAvEMEYER's COOL REPLIES
How Consumers Are Made to Pay
Higher Prices Through the
Big Combination.

dent to-day signed certificate to the Dis
trict Attorney of the refusal of E. R. Chap
man, a new York broker, to answer the
questions of the sugar trust investigating
committee.
Fl. P. Burney, one of the room clerks at
the Arlington Hotel. said Senator Brice
had been in the habit of calling on Ter
rell, but that he called there no more fire.
Quently during his visits last winter and
spring than on former occasions.
Havemeyer, who expressed his willing
ness yesterday to give the amounts of the
funds, declined to do go to-day, as he was
advised under the terms of the resolution
that this was no part of the investigation.
The committee accepted this view. as the
witness had sworn that no contributions
had been made to secure the election of
United States Senators. John e. Searls
appeared before the committee at o'clock
Hayemeyer stated that in the last three
years the profits of the trust had been %
of cent per pound on refined sugar, and
the increased cost to the consumer under
the proposed bill would be a cent pound.
He admitted that the purpose of the
formation of the trust was to increase the
cost 10 the American consumer.
Senator Allen-And when you did form
the trust you did advance the price Of
sugar to the American consumer?
Havmeyer-We did. 1t was al advance
of about a quarter of cent net.
Allen-And the American con sumner to-
day is paying three-eighths of a cent
pound on refined sugars more than he
would be compelled to pay under system
of separate refneries?
"Yes, sir"
"If the trust were wiped out the Ameri-
can consumer would be benefited to the
extent of three.eighths of cent a pound
on his sugar?"
II will admit that, but any thing that will
wipe out the trust will wipe out the indus
try"
John A. Searles, secretary and treasurer
Of the American Sugar Refining Company,
was the subject of the committees ques-
tions from to o'clock. He frankly ad-
mitted he had made it his business to in
fluence legislation favorable 10 the sugar
trust, and that for this purpose he had
called upon and labored with many Sena-
tors. The witness stood upon his rights,
however, when asked about campaign
contributions, and declined in several in
stances to answer questions on this sub
ject. He declined 10 state the amount
expended In 1892, on the ground that it
was not within the province of the inquiry.
"Do you not" asked Senator Allen,
decline TO state simply because you know
it was disreputable and unlawful to con-
tribute this money?"
"No, sir; / do not admit anything of
the kind" replied SeaIles.
do you think it is perfectly 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 ?"
II have always understood for many
years that it is the custom of both parties
to solicit from corporations and individu-
ais contributions for the carrying on of
their political campaigns. and that it is
the custom of corporations and individuals
to respond to such invitations. And with
that understanding, and what l believe to
be the general custom, the American
Sugar Refining Company has made such
contributions at times"
"Do you believe it is perfectly proper
for a corporation" said Senator Allen,
1.-The value of whose stocks may be affected
by national legislation, to contribute its
funds TO the success or defeat of one politi-
cal party or the other?"
81 think as parties are now managed 1t
is proper"
And the American Sugar Refining
Company, as a company, was actuated by
high sense of patriotic duty in contribut-
ing this money. l suppose?"
THAT Is pleasant way Of putting it, /"
responded Seares.