Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-15
MR,LEAV|TT' T'SCHARCES
Denies Statements of Mr..
Havemeyer.
ARRAIGNS SUGAR TRUST
DECLARES 1T IS BEHIND RECI-
PRoCITY MOVEMENT.
Closely Questioned Regarding Rivalry
With the Beet Sugar
Makers.
ARRAIGNS SUGAR TRUST

ued his testimony before the Senate COM
mittee on relations with Cuba today He
said that If the sugar refiners were not to
get the additional advantage of a conces
sion to Cuba, 1t would simply mean that
they were willing to make the planter a
present of it.
He challenged Mr.. Havemeyer to pro-
dUce the blank form of contract said to
have been entered into with the beet sugar
brokers in the Missouri valley by the beet
sugar manufacturers, agreeing to supply
beet sugar at 10 cents per hundred less
than the trust asked, provided they would
not handle cane sugar, to furnish the
names of such brokers. The cut in the
price of sugar, he said, made by the trust
in the Missouri valley was made for no
other purpose than to ruin the beet sugar
factories and establish price for sugar
which would cripple the borrowing power
of the beet sugar companies.
Mr.. Leavitt said the sugar trust in hold
Ing out to the public the hope and promise
or cheaper sugar coming from Cuba was
direct fraud on the people of the United
states. He cited the testimony of Mr.
Havemeyer that the consumer would get
no benefit while publication issued by the
sugar trust held out the hope referred to-
The only remedy for the beet sugar men,
he said. was for them to ship sugars to
Chicago or New York or some other large
market at a great disadvantage in freight
rates.
He charged that the sugar trust was un-
deniably connected with the ATTEMPT to
secure the reciprocity legislation. although
1t claimed to have no interest in it and
would derive no benefit from it.
Answering Senator Platt as to why he
objected 10 the trust interesting itself in
this legislation when the beet sugar men
were doing the same thing, the witness
said that the trust knew that the reduction
designed for the Cuban planter would be
for it's own benefit.
Questioned Regarding Rivalry.
Senator Platt closely questioned the wit
ness regarding the rivalry existing between
the two concerns and the efforts made by
the beet sugar people to secure the Gus
toners of the sugar trust, the witness re-
plying that 1t was merely question Of
whether these customers wanted to buy
beet sugar or cane sugar. He denied that
the beet sugar people offered reduction of
10 cents a hundred to the customers of the
trust II they would buy beet sugar, but
admitted that they made effort, COM
petitorS, to get the business.
Answering further questions the witness
said that Francis B. Thurber of New York,
who had given testimony on this subject
was a paid empioye of the trust, although
he had denied that such was the case, stat
ing his only employment to be president
Of the United States Export Association
Il know that Thurber was employed by the
War Department., said the witness ito
gather statistics this subject. hut was
discharged by reason of his bias in favor
Of the sugar trust.
Senator Platt asked If it was not a fact
that he entertained the opinion that the
policy of the government with respect to
Cuba turned on the controversy between
the trust and beet sugar men.
The witness replied that there was only
one way. in view of existing market condi-
world of helping the Cuban planter and
that was by putting money in his pocket
before he goes to America with his sugar
But that If it be made a condition of his
receiving an advantage that he shall sell
his sugar to the American refiners he will
never reap the advantage.
The Cuban Company's Holdings.
The witness then was excused. and Sen
ator Platt laid before the committee COM
munication which he has received from Sir
VIM. c. Van Horne, president OF the Cuban
the senator. His company, the writer
stated, have acquired about 10000 acres
Of land in the provinces Of Santa Clara
Puerto Principe and Santiago. chiefly In
therance of the company's plans for the
development of the country along its lines
Of railway. Their idea was to divide this
land up into small bodies, making them
available for individuals Of small means,
and to establish at different points sugar
mills for handling their cane.
The committee adjourned until tomorrow