The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-07

treasurer of the American Sugar Re-
firing company, to appear before the
committee today would bring upon
him such punishment for contempt as
the laws of the state of New York
prescribed. Mr.. Searles was not on
hand today. Edward M. Shepard and
John E. Parsons, attorneys for the
sugar company, explained that the
subpoena to appear before the COM
nlittee was served on Mr.. Searles Just
as he was leaving the city; he was tc-
day in Washington, and could not
meet the committee until Monday.
On that day, Mr.. Shepard said, Mr.
Searles would be either in this city or
in Albany, as would best suit the con-
Venience of the committee, and submit
to the proposed inquisition. Chairman
LeXoW said that the committee would
decide in executive session what should
be done in the premises.
John Arbuckle was then recalled to
the witness chair. He said it was not
true, as stated by President Have
meyer, that the American Sugar com
pany did not threaten him out Of the
coffee business, if he engaged in the
refining of sugar. There is no coffee
business now" Mr.. Arbuckle said. and
explained that profit in 1896 was only
three-fourthS of a cent a pound In
1895 little less than six-tenths of q
cent, and n 1893 little less than six
tenths of a cent a pound
James M. Jarvie, the business partner
OF John Arbuckle, was recalled. and in
the course of his testimony, said that
coffee had huctuated in the market
within the past ten years. He said
there was no profit in the coffee busi-
ness nowadays, and read statistics to
that effect. This was in contradiction
OF the statement made yesterday by
MI. Havemeyer, who said that the
ccffee was profitable and thriving
heId of mercantile industry. In repIv
to Senator Lexow, the witness testi
lied that the firm Of Arbuckle & Co.
ard William F. Mclaughlin, of Chi
cago, controlled the coffee package
trade in the United States, and that
the HaVemeyers control the bulk
trade to the same extent. The
witness said there were several grades
OF coffee, ranging in price from 10 to
ONA-NN q POO41N IIIS ldll0E DT1CG be-
ing paid for Java and Mocha.
What was the purchase price Of
coffee when the American Sugar Re-,
firing company mt into the coffee
business through the Woolson com
pany?"
Il should say the market price for
Ftio coffee was 10 cents a pound. and
1t sold at Is cents a pound to the
nliddlemen.''
What price do you sell it at now?"
At l312 cents per pound"
Does a profit accrue?"
am not prepared to say just now"
ana the Woolson Spice company
settled 1t at 13 cents a pound 2"
Yes SIR"
DO you, as a manufacturer. consid-
er 1t fair to amass from the consumers
profits to be distributed among the di
rectors and stockholders in the charga
OF unreasonable prices?"
The witness tried to evade the oues-
ton, and the spectators gave noisy
evidence of their disapproval.
Senator Lexow pounded the desk
with his gavel and ordered that no
display Of feeling be permitted.
How long will the public stand such
a thing, do you think?'' asked Senator
Lexow.
Witness said that the so per cent
dividend only represented a s per cent
dividend on the present value Of the
ste ok. He said his company paid
81 600 for single share Of the Woolson
Spice company.
ut is a fact that they are putting
UP better coffee at less price than
ycu for the purpose Of driving you out
OF the market?'
II think our coffee is better than
theirs" the witness replied.
At this juncture Senator Lexow asked
ior =. o. HaVemeyer, and Mr.. Parsons
said he had just received word that Mr.
Havemeyer would be on hand at 2
o'clock to which hour recess was taken
Senator Lexow then announced that
during recess the committee would con-
slider the question Of Mr.. Searles dis
obedience to the order Of the commit
tee. After seecess Chairman Lexow
announced that Mr.. Scarles would be
given until l2 a. m. Monday, to answer
the subpoena of the committee. Presi-
dent Eavemeyer was then Gecalled. He
said that the four refineries In Phila-