Evening star., 1902-05-05
Sugar Purchases in Cuba.


Mr.. Teller then returned to the question
of sugar purchases in Cuba, and In response
to questions Mr.. Hayemeyer made a de-
tailed explanation. He said that when
sugar could be bought cheaper a the out
ports than at Havana it was bought at
those places.
Speaking of attacks upon the trust. Mr..
Havemeyer said MANI of them were made
FOR the purpose of getting in foreign sugars
at a lower duty. to the injury of the beet
industry. well as to the injury of the
American Retining Company. He insisted
that the sugar company would have to pay
as much for Cuban sugar as it now pays
even if the proposed COngrt ssional cOnces-
sion should be made.
Suppose we should take the entire duty
of of Cuban sugar. would there be a reduc-
tion in the price of Cuban sugar?
There would not he until the volume of
the Cuban production should approximate
cur consumption. Until then the Cubans
would get the benefit
Suppose - per cent should be added to
tie duty?
The added expense would come out of
the Cubans. The price would be the Ham
burg price plus the duty"
He added in this connection that the ap-
prehersiors of the beet sugar men were
entirely failacious.
Responding other inquiries. Mr.. Have
meyer said that his company makes no con-
tract with persons buying its sugar requir-
ing them To sell trust sugar exclusively.
THAT was tried some years ago he said.
but the system was abandoned
II has been mis- experience. Mr. Have
meyer said. answering Mir. Teller that the
storage of sugar increased its cost. In six
months storage would increase the cost
half a cent a pound, and he said he never
bought 10 any such extent that storage is
necessary.
Mr.. Teller further Questioned the witness
as TO where he would obtain his sugar
should the Cuban crop not be marketed for
several months He replied that he would
look to Porto Rico and South America
where there is an inexhaustihle quantity of
beet During the Spanish war 3tG0rO tons
were imported from South America. He
said that the CuDan planter is not in
financial condition to hold his crop in the
event of there being no legislation until
next session.
Effect of Tariff Concessions.
Mr.. Teller: Suppose we don't make any
concession to Cuba, where will the crop be
marketed?'
Mr.. Havemeyer: 1T will come right here
and We will get it anyhow
If We should reduce the tariff on sugar
~ per cent. would the consumer get any
advantage Of that?"
None whatever"
Would the trust get auy?"
'None whatever"
Mr. Havemeyer insisted that ii was not in
the power of the trust to get it if they
saw mt, because the price would Immediate
ly advance 10 onset the advantage.
But said Senator Teller. suppose you
say We VIII not pay you more than hail
OF this concession and We will take the
other half, -
The witness answered that the price i'm
mediately augments to the parity of beet
sugar in bond.
Gould the Cuban get as much for his
sugar in England in the United States"
Just the difference in freight
Sugar From Hawaii
Mr.. Havemeyer cOntended that sugar
from the Hawaiian Islands comes in free
and asked: why don't they gouge the
Hawaiian out of all he has got?7 Contitnu-
ing, he said there was no philanthropy that
protects Hawaii that would not reflect in
Cuba
Mr. Teller interjected the remark that
sugar from Louisiana was free. which
brought from the witness the statement
that the trust did not get any of ii below
its parity He said that If the 20 per cent
reduction was made the price would ad-
vance at once in Cuba.
Mr.. Teller-''Sugar ought to drop that
much unless you give the Cuban the ad-
vantage of the concession
He gets the advantage of the concession,
Irrespective of u.s.
Senator Teller Contrajicted.
HE don't unless you say he may" said
Mr.. Teller
Well. you are wrong" answered Mr..
Havemeyer
Il not. You have got the power to
say We will pay just what We have been,
less the concession and If you say that he
has got to take it,
YOU are wrong"
Mr.. Teller insisted that that was ex-