People's voice., 1899-06-29

Ipanslon. BEN Xxx BEN.
Henry o. Havemeysr, president o.
the American Sugar Refining Com.
pany, created decided sensation al
the hearing OF the Industrial Cym.
mission on the l4th. when he opened
his testimony with the fat-tooted
declaration: "Tbe mother OF all trusts
is the protective tariff
fiayemeyr's Statement.
The text Of the statement in mart
read by Mr. Hayermeyer is as follows:
"The mother of all trusts is the
customs tariff bill. The existing bill
and the preceding one have been the
occasion for the formation of all
the large trusts, with very few ex-
ceptiOns, inasmuch as they provide
for an inordinate protection to all the
interests of the couDtry-sugar retin-
ing excepted, Economic advantages
incident to the consolidation OF large
Interests in the same line OF business
are a great incentive to their forma.
tion, but these bear a very insignif-
can't proportion OF the advantages
granted in the way Of protection
under the customs tariff.
"There probably is not an industry
that acquires protection OF more than
ten per cent ad valorem, and it is to
obtain what is provided over such per-
centage in the tariff that leads to the
formation Of what are commonly spo-
ken Of as trusts
with a protection TO an Industry
not exceeding ten per cent, all menace
TO the community Of trusts, would
cease. This ten per cent would rep.
resent the difference in the cost of
production, and likewise act as a
protection against surplus products
of foreign countries being dumped in
our local markets, thereby interfer.
lng with the regular and economic
workings OF our industries. Any
advantages that might then accrue to
such combinations they would be fully
entitled to, and the public would not
be damaged thereby, as any expansion
OF price would be met by foreign
competition and relief.
SUGAR AN EXCEPTION.
81 have said that sugar was an
exception. The rate of protection on
sugar is an eighth of a cent per
pound, which is about 81 per cent
ad valOrem and is not the difference
10 the cost OF refining in this and
foreign countries. The least it should
have is eight per cent, or, in specific
figures, per cent per pound. The
sugar refining industry of this
country, no matter what form its
organization, is entitled to ADEQUATE g
protection, if any Industry is. There
are at least 100000 people dependent
upon it. What it pays, or has paid,
to.its stockholders in the past repre-
sents nothing more than a fair return
on the capital invested, considering
the extent of the business.
The United States tarir bill, in
assessing about $40 per ton duty on
imported sugar. pays into the pockets
II few Louisainans on their annual
crop Of 25,0OO tons $4,000, 900; to the
hawaiian islanders, probably repre-
sented by 100 foreigners, on their
annual crop of $4,000, tons $40, ,OOO, 900;
say 100000 tons produced elsewhere
in the United States, 81 10000.
"Here yeu have $4,000, 900 extract
ed from the people Of the Uuited
States for the sake of getting
the revenue which $40 per ton
on foreign sugar provides. This
is merely illustrative of the whole
tarif-every line of it-and its effect
upon the people. 10 fact, the tariff
bill clutches the people by the throat,
and then the governors and the at
tOrney generals of the several states
take action, not against the cause.
but against the machinery which the
people employ to rifle the publlc's
pockets.
TWO SORTS OF ROBBERY
"fhere appears to be in the public
mind distinction between the rob-
berry by an individual and that by a
corporation. What is commendable
n an individual appears to be dishop.
est in corporation"
Our district clerk. W. II. Overhol-
tier is not only the most dishonest