Evening star., 1897-02-16
SUGAR TRUST INVESTIGATION.
james H. Post and John E. Searles o
the Stand.

James H. Post and John E. Searles on
the Stand.
John E. Sec rles. secretary and treasurer
of the American Sugar Refining Company
and his lawyer, John E. Parsons, were
present yesterday in New York when the
joint legislative committee on trusts re-
sumed it's sittings. AS the latter took
seat he drew from his overcoat bundle C
documents.
Are those the missing documents Sena-
ter Laxow wants?' asked a reporter.
Does Senator Lexow himself know what
documents he wants?" Mr. Parsons replied
with broad smile.
James H. Post, coffee and tea broker
as the first witness examined by the COM
mittee yesterday. Mr.. Post said he repre-
sented the firm of Mollenhauer and b. H.
Howell, refiners.
He admitted that competition between
the Mollenhauer and Howell companies was
recognized agent of the companies men,
toned.
There are times when those refneries do
not want to sell. and hence the competition
of which l speak," said the witness.
When asked as to the extent of the out
put OF the sugar companies he represented
witness said 1t reached 1900 tons annually
'All in this country" Senator Lexow
asked.
I'm various parts Of the world"
Are you a factor?'
I'm what respect?" the witness inquired
In those concerns"
Il am their agent and buyer" the wit
ness said.
Asked II the profits of the concerns con-
jointly reached $12.O00OO0 or $14OOO,V
annually. witness said he doubted the ac-
curacy OF the figures quoted. and finally
said that his house made less than quar-
ter OF cent pound profit last year.
Senator Lexow was evidently dispIeased
with the reply given by the witness and
asked the stenographer to read the ques-
ton. This was done. and Senator Lexow,
In stentorian tones, said:
Now, Mr.. Post. answer, and don't be
beating round the bush.''
am not beating round the bush," re-
torted the witness with much heat
Asked about the relations of the Millen-
hauer and Howell companies to the Amer
lean Sugar Refining Company. Mr. Post
said he knew absolutely nothing about the
affairs of the sugar company.
is 1t not fact that you compete with
the American Sugar Refining Company il.
the matter Of prices?" asked the chairman.
1t happens in some grades every day."
In what manner respect?'
Through the various brokers here and
throughout the country" the witness an
swersd.
This finished the examination of Mr. Post
and John E. Searles then took the stand.
You stated in your former examinat ton,
Mr.. Searles, that the price Of sugar was de-
ed: Senator Lexow asked.
Il don't recollect testifying to that" Mr..
Searles replied.
well, was it depressed?"
There was no marked depression: of
Curse there were periods of depression"
The witness admitted that the margin of
profit between raw and refined sugar had
Increased during the last three years.
Wnat Is the cost Of refining sugar."
1T is from X to y of cent per pound"
is the American Sugar Refining Com
pany able to produce sugar cheaper than
other companies in the United States?"
81 have no KNOWLEDGE of other comns nice
and cannot testify in regard to them
Asked by Senator Lexow how many re-
hneries were closed down last year. witness
said that the Greenpoint refinery, one in
Louisiana. the Continental, in Boston. and
the de Castro were closed.
In reply to another question. witness said
that the purchase Of the United States
Sugar Refining Company's plant in Camden
Sugar Refining Company.
Witness said they deemed the purchase
Of additional factories as productive of
better results than the building Of addi-
Witness said It was correct that the ac-
QUESTION by the company Of additional fac
tories tended in the direction Of Gripping
competition on the sugar market.
Witness positively asserted that ths
American Sugar Refining Company had
nothing to do with the prices formulated
BY any other sugar refining company in the
Il have only to reiterate what have Al
ready testified to. and desire to say again
that we do not restrain or compel any com
peting concern In the country to follow
our prices. nor do we command the re4u-
lation OF prices In the south or east" Mr.
Searles said. Mr.. Searles also said that the
wholesale grocers had In convention fo--
n:ulated rules for the government and guild
ance OF factors in the distribution OF the
product OF the sugar company.