Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-10-23
THE SUGAR WAR.
lNew York Commercial


The attention of tho commercial
world is again directed to sugar which,
with coffee. has formed the center Of
interest on many previous occasions.
Mr.. Havemeyer seems to be competing
with Mr.. Borden in the presentation of
spectacular effects.
WAR to the knife and knife to the
hilt" Is the cry at Kansas City, where
the American Sugar Refining Company
has assumed belligerent attitude to-
ward the independent beet sugar re-
finers. who have had the temerity to
beard the lion"-in other words. to
sell refined beet sugar at 10 cents un-
der the combination price of refined
cane sugar.
But while an effort is being made to
confine the trade war to Kansas City.
the effect Of the cut in prices Is un-
settling to trade elsewhere. and far
reaching. The American Sugar Rein-
Ing Company virtually makes the dei-
laration that 1t holds the monopoly Of
refining sugar, and any company or in
dividual that attempts TO refine sugar,
either beet or cane, must expect no
quarter: for the mills OF the com
bine," like the mills OF the gods,
while they grind slowly. grind ex-
ceeding fne." Mr.. Havemeyer's COM
pany wishes to be absolved from the
charge Of desiring to kill the beet SUI
gar industry; indeed no. for many a
time and oft" the company has an
nounced itself a willing purchaser Of
all the raw beet sugar offered at mar
ket prices. But It firmly intends to
manufacture all the refined sugar made
In the United States. On this basis II
will not only not hinder the culture
Of beets and the making Of raw sugar
but will encourage the industry In
every way possible.
Under such circumstances. the AM
erican Sugar Refining Company, being
the only purchaser Of raw beet sugar,
could and would dictate prices Of raw
sugar. and indirectly control the far
mer as II does the planter.
A test of strength is now being
made. 1t being deemed an opportune
time to thwart the designs Of the indie
pendent beet sugar refners who. II
allowed to grow and wax In strength
may prove o much more formidable
rival to the would-be monopoly.
The ammunition being used by the
American Sugar Refining Company. Il
refined beet sugar. foreign grown ana
foreign refined, which has been pur
chased very low. We have Ahead!
called attention to tn efact that for
eign beet sugar has been selling below
the cost Of production. II Is worthy u
note that the price at which the Am
erican Sugar Refining Company is sell
ing refined sugar at Kansas City, 81;
cents, is about the price prevailing to
, domestic raw beet sugar, and about OF
a parity with centrifugal care sugar
now selling at 3S cents.
, We called attention to the depressed
, condition OF the sugar industry recent
ly and the causes for present condi
, tons. II was then revealed that G. 2
n cents reduction In the price of refine!
sugar was anticipated; 4 reducticr u
!, Is cents per 100 has since been mad
: and a further decline OF ~ cents pc
!, 100 Is expected soon. Under the cir
= cumstances business will laneuish. un
Ill the trade Is satisfied that the bot
tom has been touched.
But the apparently sudden declara
ton of war against Western inGepen
dent refners was factor rot countc
a on. and even now is an unknown guam