The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-01
BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Mr.. Oxnard Explains How it Will be
Affected by Hawaiian Annexation.

Editor Washington IOSt: 1T is
evidently the design and pur-
pose of the administration, through
the Secretary of Agriculture, to
make it appear that the beet sugar in
lustry is really not affected by the an
ncxation of the Hawaiian Islands. beg
to differ with them entirely on this SUBJ
icct. and in view of the fact that every
producer of sugar in the United States,
whether of cane, beet or sorghum, is
absolutely and unrelentingly opposed to
the annexation of those islands, it Is
hardly fair to say that those who have
made this industry a lifelong study are
all wrong. and that the administration,
through the Department of Agriculture,
who have only very recently come into
power. should be able to decide this cues
tiOn for the sugar producers of the UNI
ted States.
Taking the statement of the expert of
the Agricultural Department, DR.. Wylie'
we see that the sugar produced III the
United States costs about 4 cents Il
pound. 1t is a wel-known and conceded
fact that sugar is produced in the 1a-
waiian Islands for about one and one
half to one and three-quarters cents per
pound. This sugar can be refined and
transported to Nebraska and points in the
immediate territory at a cost of certain
ly not to exceed 3 cents per pound. The
freight from Honolulu to Omaha does
not exceed, or quite equal, three-fOurths
cent per pound. If | were to add one
half cent for refining it would give us
the cost to the producer of refined sugar,
the cost laid down in Omaha, at cents
per pound.
The figures of the two factories, of
which | am president, show that we
have not been able to make sugar in Ne
braska for cents a pound, but for the
sake of argument, granting that the eX-
pert of the Agricultural Department IS
right, will say that this sugar can be
produced at cents without profit, of
cOurse). We, therefore, find that the
Hawaiian planter can sell sugar in our
own market of Nebraska at a profit of
/ cent a pound to himself, while we
would be manufacturing the same quail
ity of sugar at a loss.
The reason why this has not been done
in the past is simply because so little
beet sugar was made that the Hawaiian
sugar planter did not lower the price to
supplant it: but now that we are on the
parent to any one who wishes to look at
the facts as they are, and not as the adj
m;nstration wishes to have them appear,
that the development of the beet sugar.
industry is to be checked. if not entirely
stopped within a very short time.
Another factor which has prevented the
Hawaiian sugars from being sold in conf
petition with the home sugar product was
the fact that contract existed between
these same Hawaiian planters and the
sugar trust whereby the Hawaiian plant
err received the full price of his sugar in
the markets of the world (plus the duty
added, which. however. he did not pay in
to the Treasury, but transferred to his
own pocket. Consequently, the sugar
trust having paid the duty on the sugar
to the Hawaiian planter, could not af-
ford to undersell the home producer; but
Il different condition exists since the first
of the present month. The sugar trust
has refused to renew its contract with
the Hawaiian Island planters. and there
fore the Hawaiian planter will seek n
market in the territory lying west of the
Missouri River in direct competition with
the home sugar producer: but the price
of said CoOlie-made Hawaiian sugar will
home producer from marketing his pro-
duct in that territory, in view of the fact
that American sugar cannot be produced
as cheaply as the Hawaiian sugar.
| see it stated that Hawaii has reached
the limit of its capacity, and cannot pro-
duce any more sugar than it is pro-
ducing at the present time. This is abb
solutely false from the very best author
ity which | have been able to secure,
having sent out to the islands my eX-
pert, DR.. Portius, for the very purpose of
finding out and reporting to me the pos
sibilities of the sugar industry in those
islands. The Hawaiian planters used the
same argument when they were trying
to get the treaty renewed some years
ago, and asserted that 100000 tons would
be the maximum production of sugar in
the islands. The past year Hawaii pro-
duced 100000 tons approximately, which
is 100000 tons more than is consumed by
the entire territory west of the Missouri
river.
We view the accession of those islands
with dread, realizing full well that the
conditions existing there make it impos-
sible for us to continue a struggle with
an industry which has had so much aid
from our own government during the
past twenty years. Had we received the
same help for the next twenty years we
would not then be in the position which
we find ourselves in to-day. In other
words, Hawaii is a threat to the devcl-
Opment of the beet sugar industry of the
United States, the present administra
ton Notwithstanding. Instead of making
Hawaii a source of revenue to this cOun-
try by taxing its sugar. annexation would
mean n deficit of millions yearly for its
defense, a heavy loss to the Treasury,
and deprive the farmers of this country
of a future crop, worth at low calcu-
lation about twenty-five millions yearly
at II time when they rightfully demand it
as their natural possession.
HENRY II. OXNARD.
Washington, Jan. Is.
Mrs. Mary Bird, Of Harrisburg, Pa,