New-York tribune., 1902-01-29
THE CASE FOR BEET SUGAR
OF THE SITUATION FROM HIS
POINT OF VIEW.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

POINT OF VIEW
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: My brother Henry T. Oxnard being alb
sent from the city, 1 desire to give in his stead
the answer thai you request to your editorial
of the oath on the subject of beet sugar. Mr..
Oxnard's testimony last week before the Ways
and Means Committee contained the informa-
tion that you seem to desire, but as your edi-
torial writer evidently had not read this testi-
mony will recapituate it here. My brother
over his signature three years ago said:
First-That under the Mckinley Tariff BILL
which admitted sugar free Of duty, while
giving bounty to domestic producers, the price
Of granuated sugar ranged from 4041 cents to
asa cents a pound.
Second-That there is a seven years con-
tract in our new factory at Hueneme, paying 81
average price for beets."
Third-That our factories then existing were
capable of working at least $4,000 tons of beets
per annum.
These assertions were all true. From these
facts he calculated that under free trade prices
for refined sugar, say. four cents pound. our
factories would still make a profit Of So ton
Of beets. The inference perfectly justified.
What the present conditions with regard to
these same propositions7
F1rst-Under the Dingley tariff. with duty of
1.95 cents a pound. and further countervailing
duty of SO cents a hundred pounds against Ger
man refined sugar. at the time your editorial
was being penned granulated sugar was selling
in New-York City at 446 cents a pound net
cash. or almost exactly the average Of the range
under free trade some years ago The first
marks Of German granulated could be to-day
imported and laid down in New-York for less
than two cents pound without the duty. This
is one answer to the inquiry of your editorial.
What industrial commercial revolution has
occurred all unperceived by the world, to cause
so complete a right about face in the sugar
trader" The sugar world is going through the
most severe crisis in its entire history-a crisis
that is bringing Cuban planters to Washington
with prayers TO be shielded from ruin-a crisis
that is also bringing ruin TO the sugar industry
Of Continental Europe in spite Of It's bounties
The prices OF sugar in Hamburg the worlds
market, are 90 per cent below the previous low
est level ever reached. which in the dis
astrous year 1894 One need look no further
for the cause of the suffering OF the Cuban
planters.
Second-Contrary TO our expectation, and de-
spite our beet contracts, which we soon found It
impracticable to enforce were unable to get
an adequate supply Of beets at the contract
price. The actual cost OF beets at the factory
near Hueneme during the campaign of 1901 was
S. 80 ton.
Third-Since the formation of the American
Beet Sugar Company factories have never
had enough raw material to them
average more than half of a regular campaign.
The supply, however. is steadily increasing.
Fourth-In addition TO the above. the rapid
expansion of the beet sugar industry has ad-
vanced the wages Of employees skilled in the
manufacture of sugar. in some as high
as 100 per cent.
To sum up, then, the market price OF sugar
to-day is no higher than the average OF the free
trade period of 1891 TO 1898. during which
bounty was paid in addition to domestic pro-
ducers. But our results under these conditions
have not equalled the expectation held out by
my brother. because:
First-We are paying over % per cent more
for beets than the price named in my brothers
letter.
sSecond-Labor largely. and many other sup
plies in addition, have advanced since that time.
Third-Our factories have been operated at
great disadvantage they never have secured
an adequate supply of material to enable
them to run to capacity. The fixed charges
meanwhile have remained the same.
In the above have not attempted to go into
the general question of the attitude of the beet
sugar men toward Cuban reciprocity. but merely
to answer the questions to which you invited
reply Yours respectfully
ROBERT OXNARD.
ONCE of American Beet Sugar Company. New
York. Jan. 81. 1902
WANTS NEW STREET CLEANING LEADER.
To The Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Mayor Low is coming under severe censure
from the people of Brooklyn in allowing promi-
nent Willoughby Street leader to remain at the
Iaa anil Der m