The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-12-10
FIGHT FOR FREE SUGAR

refineries.
I'VE are afraid replied the wit
ness, because the American Sugar
Refining Company would undersell us
in our markets
Does the American Sugar Refining |
Company dictate the price that the |
jobbers snail pay for their sugar."
asked Mr.. Boutell.
at not only dictates the price the |
jobbers shall pay, but also the price
at which the jobbers shall sell to the
trade" was the reply.
Chairman Payne wanted to know IL |
Mr.. Colcock could suggest any amend
ment to the Tariff law that would
help you get fair price on your SUI
gar?"
I'm afraid l cannot" was the re-
ply.
MR.. OXNARD FOR INCREASE.
Mr.. Oxnard, the second witness, had
to answer fire Of questions from the
committee. He gave half-a-dozen rea-
sons why the tariff on sugar should
be increased il there is to be any mo-
dification of the sugar schedule. Su-
gar is so situated he said, that 1t
! should be treated with exceptional IA
vor The per capita consumption of
sugar is increasing, showing, in the
opinion of the witness, that the pub
lie regards the price of sugar as rea-
sonable. The governments need OF
revenue, the desirability that the home
market shall be developed and that
American cane and beet growers shall
! be encouraged, were other reasons
suggested by Mr.. Oxnard why the SUI
gar duty should be retained.
Mr.. Oxnard asserted that the beet
sugar industry is tagging, and pointed
out that there are no more beet-sugar
factories than two years ago. The
witness said that the uncertainty
about the Philippines tariff retarded
the growth of his industry.
Champ Clark interrupted to say that
it had been apparent to everybody
since the Senate sat down so hard on
the Philippines tariff-reduction bill,
that there would be no legislation to
reduce the sugar duty from our insu-
lar possessions. Under these circum-
stances, Mr.. Clark did not see why
many new factories had not been built
in this country.
/ WANT POLICY SETTLED DOWN.
! Representative Fordney came to the
aid of the witness with the statement
that capital is timid while agitation is
of OF Of NJ AJ
Mr.. Payne said he thought this
country's tariff policy toward the Phi
lippines should be settled one way or
the other.
Mr.. Oxnard agreed with the chair
man. What our industry needs is
certainty and an assurance that it will
be let alone" he said. "The admis-
sion of sugar at reduced rates from
Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines
is staggering blow, and the question
as to what shall ultimately be the
settled policy of the United States
should be determined promptly"
Mr.. Oxnard said there is an invest
ment of $60,O00,000 in the beet-sugar
industry. covering fifteen States Az
erage return on the actual investment
does not exceed per cent, far too
low, the witness said, to permit capt.
tai to develop a new industry There
was no water in the stock of the Anne
rican Beet Sugar Company, Mr.. Ok
nard said.
Mr.. Underwcod-Has the American
Sugar Refining Company any interest
in your company?
Mr.. OXnard-None that know OF.
Mr.. Underwood--Is there any agree
ment between your company and the
refining company to fix prices?
Mr.. Oxnard-Absolutely none
| OH ANIpLNRI A MS OOIICII REIEnV