The evening times., 1900-07-28

George H. Murphy. Vice Consul of the
United States. at Magdebdrg. Germany. in
letter to the State Department concern
ing the sugar beet industry in that eoun-
try. says: The fftieth annual convention
of manufacturers and others interested in
the German sugar industry was held at
Magdeburg on May 20 to June l, 1900. In
connection with this convention there was
an interesting exposition of sugar machin-
cry, etc. showing all recent improvements
and inventions. Five hundred and ten
members OF the Sugar Union were present,
representing 17S factories. Some Of the
most interesting matters discussed were
the following:
The imperial law regulating trade IN
artificial sweet stuffs. which intended
to restrict the sale of saccharine, has had
an entirely contrary effect; for. according
10 the statements of saccnarine manufac-
turers. the saccharine produced last year
was equivalent in sweetness to over 80
OG0. 600 metric tons of sugar. Consequent
". the consumption Of 100000 csntners
OF sugar was prevented, causing loss to
the imperial treasury OF S2.3S0. coo. The
imposing OF a tax on saCchaTine and tnS
requirement by law that Il be sold only as
a drug are accordingly demanded with
justice by the sugar industry. Unfortunate
ly. this question can not be brought up for
settlement prior to the next meeting OF
the Reichstag.
The discovery Of saccharine and other
sweet stuffs has caused some sugar produc-
ers much anxiety, and it is feared that still
other similar substances will in the future
be discovered by chemists. Furthermore,
some farmers are afraid that method will
eventually be found by which beet sugar
can be produced synthetically. Neither OF
these dangers need. however be feared at
present. 1t is entirely unlikely that it will
ever be possible TO produce from pit-cOal
tar genuine sugar in large enough quanti-
ties and sufficiently cheaply to seriously in
jure the beet sugar industry Farmers
may also find comfort in knowing that
while it is not impossible Tin view of the
rapid advances now being made in chemi
cal knowledge) that a process may be
found for producing genuine beet sugar ar
tifcially il is nevertheless certain that
when the synthesis Of sugar is discovered.
carbon hydrates viii be needed as material.
especially in the form OF starch -four Ac-
cOrdingly. even IL a sufficiently cheap pro-
cess be found. the only result will be that
other plants containing staTch-the potato.
for ilstance-will compete with beets as a
raw material in sugar fabrication.
Another matter which is considered
very important Is that Polish laborers who
enter Germany every spring should not
be compelled TO leave the country Sefore
fixed date. which should be the same in
all parts Of the empire. Farm hands are
| 50 scarce that difficulty IS experienced in
raising enough sugar beets to supply the
demands OF the factories AS imported
Polish laborers are now compelled 70 leave
Prussia by December I. the three hundred
and eleven Prussian sugar factories are
put at a disadvantage as compared with
the ninety-one factories IN the other Ger
man states where there IS no such re-
quirement- The Government has accord
ingly been asked TO establish a general
rule permitting such useful aliens to re-
main in the country each year until the
end OF December.
Speeches were made explaining that
this cartel is intended for the protection
Of the German sugar industry as a whole
and for the general benefit OF all produc-
erS.