New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-07
INTERESTED IN THE HEARING.
MANY PEOPLE LISTEN TO THE TESTIMONY-THl
Cot-r-r- -r-MrSTc
OF THE WITNESSES

PROFIT OK COFFEE - STATEMENTS
OF THE WITNESSES.
The Council Chamber in the City Hall began 10
I'll up early yesterday morning with people who
had read OF the preceding days hearing before the
Joint Legislative Committee appointed TO investi-
gate the workings Of trusts Many Of them were
anxious to learn what line of investigation TO
be carried yesterday and TO get a look at the
representatives Of the American Sugar Refining
Company, who. according to their own admission,
absolutely control the output and the price in the
United States of one Of the necessities OF life
The principal interest Of the morning session Of
the committee lay in the speculation 10 whether
sphn T. Searles, the secretary and treasurer OF the
Sugar Trust, would appear for examination or not.
Mr. Searles had been subppnaed 10 appear on Fri
day but he failed do So his partners and his
counsel pleading that an extremely important en-
gagement prevented his being present. Senator
Lexow had thereupon intimated that unless Mr..
Searles appeared before the committee yesterday
morning the committee would feel obliged TO deal
with him summarily Mr.. Searles was not present
yesterday morning however, as the hour for open
ing the session approached. John T. Parsons. d.
rector Of the trust. and Edward NJ Shepard were
early on hand. and held earnest conversation to-
gether until Senator Lcxow arrived soon after II
o'clock Mr. Parsons would not tell reporters where
Mr. Seares was give any information about
him. When Senator Lexow appeared. however, he
lost no time in taking Mr. Parsons aside and speak
ing with him in private. The Senator did not seem
greatly delighted with what he heard and frowned
as he took his seat. One of the Assemblymen re-
marked 10 a reporter: II don't think Searles IS
here 1t would do him good 10 spend few weeks
IN fail"
The Assemblyman was right Mr.. Seares
rot there The committee waited until 1870 Then
Senator Iexow said: The sergeant arms will
call Mr. John +. Seares" There was moments
silence and then John L. Parsons rose and said
''Mr Seares am sorry to say, is not present. The
subpoena was served upon him as he was In the
act Of leaving this city to fill a very important en-
gagernent. II 10 me that sufficient time was
not allowed him in which to arrange his business"
Am I 10 understand" said Senator Lexow. that
Nj searles left the city Immediately after the
subpoena was served upon him.
He did," was Mr. Parsonss answer.
"Where is he?"
Il made every effort to reach him last night by
telegraph but in vain. He IS now In Washington
! received a telephone message from him. and
think can promise that he will appear before
this committee either in Albany or here Mon
day morning.
NOT DISPOSED TO ACCEPT THE EXCUSE.
Senator Iexow thought a moment Then he
said: THE committee is not now disposed to
accept the excuse offered by Mr.. Searles. We
shall consider the matter in executive session later
in the day. and will then decide whether we will
temp, by appearing before this committee on
Monday morning or whether We shall state his
Contempt 70 the Legislature.
Mr. Parsons then replied that, II 1t was consid-
etd desirable to submit his explanation TOT the
absence Of Mr.. Searles in more formal way lie
would do so. but Senator Lexow said 1t was not
Necessary
The chairman then inquired whether Henry o.
Haveneyer were present in the courtroom
M Havemcyer said yesterday" answered MI
Parsons. that he would not be present To-Day uh-
less his presence was required.
Il know that" responded the chairman out ne
said that he would be in town. and wish you
would secure his presence this afternoon we
wish TO question him further
u Will have him here If 1t is possible. replied
Mr. Parsons after which he left the chamber
John Arbuckle was then called. and took the
stand. Mr.. Arbuckle is member OF the hrm Oh
Arbuckle Brothers and some Of the most interest,"
ing testimony given Friday related 70 the STUB
gle between his firm and the American Sugar Re
inning COMPANY for the control OF the coffee mar
xe' Mr. Arbuckle and his partner said that aeeh's
0! the American Sugar Refining Company hao
threatened that that company wouiu o''e '"'
Gut Of the coffee business unless they abandoned
'heir intention OF refining their own sugar
Mr. Arbuckle took the stand voluntarily yes'ei
Gay saying that he desired TO make statement
70 the committee
Il wish 10 say something about the proh' WI.
asemeyer said the Sugar Trust was hian'i,s -
seilhg coffee at a reduction from our rates lheE
,snhot. In my opinion. be making the prom no
asmed They now selling a two-pound pach'
80 80 OF Java, Mocha and Rio for Is cents Now
aV'e cannot be any profit for them at that ra'e'
- we sell the same thing at 1874 cents ana "o
,s no profit ourselves at that price. In the year
~ NJ mere was profit OF sx-tenths OF cent
-. 'his profit continued until the year io'o'
s "sh became three fourths of a cent. That profit
=, en cut down to nothing by the competition
me Havemeyers"
=" Wit ass made II evident that he believed the