The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-10

Ways and means to secure the estab-
Hshment of a sugar refinery at Seattle
were fully discussed at a special meeting
of the Chamber of Commerce held yes
terday afternoon. The feature OF the
meeting was an address by G. q. Ballan-
tyne, of Honolulu, wealthy sugar PRO
Queer. who is now visiting this city. Mr.,
Ballantyne assured the chamber that the
project was perfectly feasible. and that
the sugar planters of the Islands would
undoubtedly give It their support imam
cialIy and otherwise.
He stated however that the matter was
one that would require the outlay or a
great deal OF money, and that the people
OF Seattle would have to assume the
greater share OF the burden In securing
the necessary capital He intilnated that
a million dollars would not be too much
for the proper Inauguration Of the enter
prise. OF the success of the refinery, II
established, he said there could be no
doubt.
He spoke with enthusiasm of the great
market the islands offer for the prod
ucts of the state of Washington, and of
the great commerce that could be built
up with them from Seattle. The estab-
lishment of a reliable steamship line from
this port to Honolulu, he said, was
necessity II Seattle and Puget sound in
tended TO continue In the trade with the
lands. and would surely follow the open
ing OF a large refinery here that would
give return cargoes OF raw sugar to the
vessels which would otherwise be forced
TO return to this port in ballast.
After general discussion of the re-
fnery project, in which majority OF
the members present and Judge Melville
G. Brown, of Alaska, who was visitor.
participated. the president of the cham
Der was instructed to appoint a commit
tee OF nine to further investigate the
subject.
MIR. Moore speaks.
j. A. Moore who first suggested to
the chamber the ACCESSIBILITY of attempt
ing 10 secure the refinery, was the first
speaker today. He dwelt upon the neces-
sity of providing return cargoes for YES
sells. now and In the future, to be en-
gagged In carrying the products of the
state of Washington to Hawaii. The COM
marce with the islands, he said, was
capable OF almost unlimited expansion,
and aside from gain In that respect, Sc
attic would reap large direct benefit in
the employment OF labor in the refinery
itself and In the factories which would
come here In consequence of the estab-
lishment OF the refinery. He mentioned
specifically box and barrel factories.
He pointed out that while the islands
now obtain nearly all their lumber from
Puget sound that was practically the
only product OF Washington that did go
to them In any quantity. Coal he said
Wales. ANA hay, grain, feed, Hour, fresh
and sailed meats and food products from
San Francisco. notwithstanding the fact
that all these articles could be obtained
more oheaply In this market.
This he explained was because the coal
was brought to the islands in sailing
ships on their way from Europe to CAL
fornia for wheat cargoes, and the other
articles in sailing ships and steamers re-
turning to the islands for raw sugar In
tended for the San Francisco reiineries.
a.4.a lAA th.. AfT .aNaf m at fAn
chamber to the fact that for several years
a sugar refinery had been established and
IN operation In Vancouver, h. C., To the
benent OF both the city and the stock
holders In the company. Mr.. Ballantyne
had suggest Ell. he continued, that Seattle
send a representative business man TO
the Islands TO interest the sugar planters
IN the refinery scheme. He thought this
In conclusion Mr. Moore said that It
was matter OF vital Importance that
gpattle should at once secure more fac
tories and build up a monthly payroll.
IL was well enough to sit back aud be
content with the Alaska business aud
thu lumber Industry, hut me former would
itself sufficient To build up city. East
ern cities OF smaller size than Seattle.
he said, subsidized and otherwise en-
c0uraged factories 20 come TO thcm, but
Seattle seemed to think that such steps
Mere unnecessary Some OF the old-time
"Seattle spirit was needed
Chance 10 Secure Ncanerp.
MIR. pallantyne was called upon for an
address. lie said he could only reiterate
What he had said at a former meeting
Of the chamber. that although he had
he,sn here but a short time, ne hAd be-
come convinced that the city had an cN-
cait.,nt opportunity 90 secure the refinery
amt mlsht depend upon the cooperation
Of the people 81 tho ISLANDS.
1,hs matter was discussed In Honolulu
several years ago. he said, Just before tht
sentraets OF the planters with the sugar
tTnSt expired At that time. how ever
mis- city's representation had not beer
strong enough to bring the matter 20 az
issue and 81 was dropped. The planters
M thef time felt the trust was treating
thofn unfairly. aud would have been VIII
ing 10 make a change. They tried g
market their own sugar for year oi
sd. but found many obstacles ana hnaIls
went back 10 the trust
Since that time, however, many pianta
ttons mad been established. the produc
~ which the trust dIi not control, and
which would furnish enough raw sugar
to more than supply a LARGE refinery a
Seattle. -
.tSS1 I'll them ind out how mucl
money lh,y could raise for the refinery
and tAg1l they would be IN a position
10 talk business to the planters and othel
business men OF the Islands The lattel
uouid undoubtedly be willing 70 inVes
heavily in the stock or large renner,
established GA a arm business founda
iion - -. - ,
The mater OF return eargoes Mr.. Bai
lantvnc dw0it upon az length. tie point
81 out that the steamship Nue oetweei
Vancouver Il. c, and the islands Woul,
son be a thing ot the past, owing 10 H.
ANNEXATION OF the latter BY the Jlnitei
States This would at once cut OF ont
iina Of communication from Puget sound
Eut the destruction OF that steamship
ZINE woald make the time rips for the es
tablishment OF big line OF steamer
from Puget sound 70 the islands, II
make thar line profitable Its vessels woul,
have TO be furnished with return c2rgoes
~ sugar refinery at Seattle would soly
the problem.
NIX, Sal4aatyRs said he MAS satlshss