The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-05
THE SUGAR FIGHT
IS WAXING WARM
The Trust has Sent out a
Secret Circular.
---.
SAYS KEEP 1T PRIVATE"
AN EXTRA REBATE OFF THE
FACE OF THE INVOICE.
TO CRUSH OUT INDEPENDENT REFlNERs
The Refined Sugar Market has Shown More
Violent Fluctuations this Year Than
Ever Before. The Price has
been Cut Five Times.
STRICTLY .CONFIDENTIAL.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
Dear Srs: In order to protect
our loyal customers, we have decided
for the present to allow an extra
rebate of Lice off the face of the
invoice. This must be kept private,
as Should it become known, it would
in all probability be withdrawn.
We now expect you to push deliv-
cries with all possible speed and to
send us larger share of business
than YOU have been doing of late.
Be careful to hold your trade and
send in their requirements, If posi-
BILE, to January 1st as You know
the guarantee terms are stlll IN
force.
Yours truly,
The Franklin Sugar Refining Co.,
tSigned) w. W. Frazier, Jr.,
Secretary.
The above circular, which is being
sent out from Philadelphia to brokers
and large dealers all over the country
proves two things:
/. That the fight between the sugar
trust and the independent re6neries is
still on and the end OF rate-cutting is
not yet come.
=. That the Sugar trust has been Sc
cretly cutting its list rates of sugar
prices This accusation has been made
time and time again. but officials of the
trust have always strenuously denied it.
They have at the same time covered
up any trace of cutting so effectually
that the denial had to be accepted.
Now all their denials are rendered use
less by the above circular. 1t was
issued by the Philadelphia annex of the
trust and signed by its secretary. or
course the officers of the American SUI
gar Refining Company, not only had
knowledge of, but approved it, because
the business of the Franklin Refinery
of Philadelphia is conducted from head
qarters in New York.
The market for refined has shown
more violent fluctuations this year than
in any preceding year. 1t started off
with the price of sugar ut the lowest
point that it has been during the year.
On January fine price of standard
granulated sugar was Al, net On the
day following the Arbuckles cut the
price to 4.66, and the Doscher concern
Immediately followed. This condition
prevailed until March g. when the Amer
lean Sugar Refining Company announced
an increase.
The prices were according raised to
Asa, which remained in force until a
month later, when the same company
announced another increase to 4.96. An
other advance was made by the Ameri-
can Cnsopany i'm June, when the net
price became $50. This was the highest
price reached during the year.
At that time every one Thought that
a settlement Of the sugar situation had
been arrived at and that the American
Company had at least decided to ac-
knowledge the existence or the indepen-
dent refiners.
Ii will be remembered that in May
the stock of the American Company was
selling at the highest point of the year.
Everything looked bright for a settle
ment and some of the Insiders were
willing to admit that there was no war.
On August 81, however, a cut was
made by the American Company, which
brought the price of the commodity
down to 500. The announcement came
as a big surprise and mo one was able
TO account for the step. 1t was under
stood that the reiners We're ali making
money when the American Company
was making the list prices, but the cut
made last month brought the prices
down to a figure at which it is thought
refining cannot pay. A further reduc-
ton was made ON September IL and an
other one on September 20, leaving the
price on that date at 4.S3, which still
prevails.
The only plausible reason given for
the cut last month was that the Ameri-
can Company desired to force matters
once more to an issue. A large part
of the Southwestern trade was being
taken away from the big company and
it was thought that by once more for
cling matters X could obtain its old
trade.
1t seems, though, from, present indi-
cations that the American Company will
not be able to force the ArbuckIes out
of the fight. That concern met all
the decreases made by the American
Company and eventually went 1t one bet
ter. The last decrease an the price list
was met by the Arbuckles with an adj
ditional cut of 1-16c. The Doscher re-
finery, which has a trade peculiarly its
own, also made the same price, and now
reports large sales.
AT present two of the reEneries of the
independent concerns are closed. These
refneries belong to the National Sugar
Refining Company and the MOllenhauer
Sugar Refining Company. They have
been closed for the past month, but
the selling agents of the companies re-
port that they have large supply of
refined sugars on hand. In fact, the
Howell concern is making a special rate
to customers who desire to purchase
graduated for quick delivery. On that
basis purchasers are allowed the one
sixteenth cent reduction.
The "Plow Boy Preacher" Rev. J.
Kirkman, Belle Rive, H., says, 'After
suffering from bronchial or lung trouble
for ten years, | was cured by One Min
ute Cough Cure. 1t is all that is claimed
for it and more" 1t cures coughs, colds,
rrir1a anl oil thrnnt and lung tron hIar