Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-12
Talk OF FREE SUGAR
Trust Credited With an Under
hand Blow at Beet Sugar
Industry.
Petition Circulated Which Says
S6O.00O.OOO Will Be Saved
Consumers Yearly.
The Trust Said to Have Invested
Heavily in Cuban Cane
Lands.

LaQ0S.
Chicago, Nov. 12.-Wholesale grocers
Of Chicago and persons interested IN the
sugar trade are discussing pro and cor
petition now being widely but quietly
circulated in the Chicago congressional
districts praying for the adjustment OF
the tariff on raw sugar, and asking for
signatures to be presented to congress
when it meets in December. Three OF
four copies of the petition ar Cow bein.
signed in each congressional district in
Cook county.
The petition is sent out ostensibly b.
the National Pure Food Association
which has its headquarters at Broad
way and Chambers street in New York
But it also is being circulated by agents
of the United States Export Association
which has its headquarters in the same
building. F. B. Thurber is president of
both organizations, and Hylton Swan is
secretary. Mr.. Thurber formerly was q
member of the wholesale grocery firm
Of II. K. & F. B. Thurber of New York
In substance the petition calls on all
jobbers and large consumers of sugar to
join in a petition to congress 10 dc
away with the sugar tariff, because II
will save consumers Of the country $780,
o00,000 annually. and give the people re-
fined sugar at a cost of or cents 8
pound 1t would, the petition states re-
suit in fair competition between cane
and beet sugar interests. of which
4
in a great increase in the manufacture
of preserves, confectionery. etc. This
would drive out the English trade i'm
portations in these goods, and would
benefit fruit-growers, manufacturers
and all alike.
While some Chicago jobbers agree
with the arguments Of this petition and
lok on it as good move, there are 9TH
ers who are inclined to regard 1t as a
sly move of the sugar trust, intended
to influence congress to admit Cuban
sugar free and so put an end to the
most dangerous competition against the
trust-the beet sugar industry.
Only few weeks ago the sugar trust
increased its capital stock SIS, 600, 900
with the announcement that the addi-
tioral funds were to be used in buying
Cuban sugar lands. II Cuban sugar Is
admitted duty free, critics of the pure
fod association petition declare, it will
put the sugar trust in position where
it can absolutely control the sugar
market and drive the beet sugar indus
try out Of existence.
From letter sent out by the United
States Export association to one of its
agents.was obtained yesterday it, ap-
parently is the purpose of the National
Pure Food Association to show con-
gress that there is strong sentiment
in every congressional district in fovn-
of free raw sugar. The petition fol-
lows:
Whereas, The United States. owing
to the changed conditions growing out
of the late war with Spain, is in posi-
ton to give the people refined sugar at
a cost of between and cents pound,
IL the duty on raw sugar Is removed and
a fair competition is stabliehed be-
tween our beet and cane sugar refining
interests in this country, with fair pro-
lection to each; the undersigned con-
sumers Of sugar petition our senators
and members of congress to restore raw
sugar to the free list, with reasonable
protection to our beet, cane and refining
interests. by duty not exceeding Y
cent pound on refined sugars above
No. 16, Ouch standard.
This would save consumers of sugar
in this country over $60000,000 year.
which now goes into the pockets Of the
beet, cane and refining manufacturers
in the proportion of about cents q
pound to the beet sugar manufacturers
liz cents pound to our cane sugar
and " cent pound to
our refiners.'
The petition also makes the point,
suggested above. that the export trade
would be improved by the abolition of
the tax.
A. A. Sprague, of the wholesale firm
Of Sprague, Warner & Co., in discussing
the petition yesterday. was inclined to
think the argument as to increased ex-
ports under free raw sugar erred In
some respects. Mr.. sprague agreed with
the statement that adjustment Of the
raw sugar tariff would mean a saving
to the consumer in this country.
The rub is with the beet sugar men,"
Mr.. Sprague said. IF a reciprocity
treaty is made with Cuba, don't see
how we can avoid admitting their raw
sugar free. But it will not kill the beet
sugar industry. The beets could still be
raised with profit, and the sugar made"
Mr. sprague did not believe English
preserves or CONNECTIONS were being sold
in this country as result of the high
sugar tariff. On the contrary, he stated
that, to his belief, large quantities Of
American-made jams and preserves, in
which sugar, and not glucose. is used,
are now being exported to England at a
good profit. Mr.. Sprague declared that
this export trade had grown enormously
and that even at the present price of