The record-union., 1894-07-23
THE SUGAR TRUST.
Branch Offico Inquiry of the Senate
Investigating Committee.

Branch Office Inquiry of the Senate
Investigating Committee.
WASHINGTON, July 22.-The Senate
Sugar Trust Investigation Committee is
devoting itself to branch Office inquiry,
which it is now pursuing to ferret out the
origin of the rumors affecting Senators,
and the members of the committee now
think with a fair prospect of success.
They are of the opinion that the stories
accusing Senators of specializing in sugar
stock and having been influenced in their
attitude toward the tariff bill as friendly
interest in the sugar trust have had a
common origin, and they now think they
have obtained clew which will enable
them 10 develop the source OF all the
statements. The testimony given by the
witnesses before the committee yesterday
point to a certain individual as the party
responsible for the charges which have
been set afloat. He is not resident OF
Washington, and his present whereabouts
have not been definitely ascertained, but
it is understood that no effort will be
spared to find him and bring him before
the committee, and thus give him an OPP
portunity to make good the charges.
There is an impression among mem berS
of the committee that he has sought to
avoid appearing before the committee.
while striving TO give it ali the work
possible. The name of this man Is sa-
credly guarded, and it is understood that
he desired to prevent his identity becom
ing known as one of the committees rea-
sons for giving out the testimony now
being taken. The committee is not i'm
pressed with the truth OF the charges. but
the mem bers of 1t take the position that
it is due TO Senators whose names have
been mentioned in this connection and to
the country at large that Tie iacts should
be known.
LETTER To HAvEMEYER.
WASHINGTON, July 22.-The following
letter from the House Committee on
Trusts 20 the President of the American
Sugar Refining Company was mailed to-
day;
81. O. Hdvemeyer. Esq, President
Americ0e Sugar Refining Company, Net0
York-DEAR SIR: Ii you supply to me, as
Chairman of the sub Committee on
Trusts and Manufactures, the information
asked for herein, l will see that it is laid
before the public. A free trader myself.
and believing no tax should be levied on
sugar (nor anything else) except for
revenue; nevertheless, as practically
every article of general consumption is 10
retain protection, | feel no prejudice
against the sugar interest as such, and L
think a large number OF mem berS OF the
House entertain the same view. As,
however, the sugar trust demands pro-
lection, or more properly speaking, the
taxation OF the public for its profit, 1t
should, put before Congress and the pub
lie its real condition, so that an intelh-
gent opinion of the merits of its demand
may be formed.
II upon an actual andsnecessary invest
ment of the cash capital, you cannot save
yourself from loss without burdening
The taxpayers, then it has just as much
justification, and more, for being fed
from the public resources by taxation as
many industries which we aid in passing
the Wilson bill and allowed to remain
upon the charity list. If, however, its
profits have been excessive, when flgured
upon an actual cash and unwatered capl-
tai stock, then you, as talr-mInded man,
will agree with me that you should not
have any legislative tayors. In such an
event a tax of one cent per pound upon
l00-degree sugar for revenue only would
be fair and equitable one, permitting
reduction of one-hundredth of cent for
each degree of sweetness lacking. Such
tax as this, while being nothing to the
treasury Of your company. would pour
great many millions into the Government
Golfer. The Information asked for is
com pretended under four heads:
First-What is the present tax value,
i. e., cost of replacing of its plants actu-
ally i'll operation and necessary to produce
a quantity of refined sugar turned out by
your company?
Second-W hat have been the actual
profits of the American Sugar Refining
Company for each full fiscal year since
it's organization, and what are its profits
so far in the current year?
Third-W hat annual salary is paid to
each of its general officers?
Fonrth-What is the actual paid-In cash
capital. including the plants, turned in at
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-
finers an opportunity of collection from
the consumer, and a tax of one-half a
cent per pound upon all sugar above No.
TO- Dutch standard and the consumption
OF ali classes of sugar during the past
three fiscal years, aggregating II, $50, S02.
446 pounds, nearly nine billions of which
were above this limit. 1t follows, there
fore, that the sugar trusts, independent
rehners in the United States, must have
received over SAC, 100000 OF the peoples
money, while the Government got during
the three years S470. .75l. AS your COM
pany asked certain favors, the propriety
Of supplying the country with the infor-
nation asked herein will not be ques-
toned by so reasonable man of business
as yourself. You are a Democrat, and
will, 1 trust. join in the hope that within
a few years the present wretched system
OF taxing the people under the mislead
ing of protection) for the benefit of pri-
vate interests will be done with entirely
and forever. Yours truly,
MICHAEL d. HARTER.
RIAfETA!IIC T,EAGTTE
Address Issued by President A. j.
Warner.