The Washington herald., 1908-01-20

Secretary Taft has made terms with
the beet sugar interests, and it is now
confidently claimed for him that he has
removed serious objections to his can
didacy, not only among the beet growers
and sugar producers of Michigan, from
which State the delegation came, but has
strengthened himself, it is claimed, in
Colorado, Utah, and other States in the
intermountain country, where beet sugar
production is an important industry.
II is known that in Utah, especially
where the Mormon hierarchy controls the
sugar industry and is friendly to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. there has been an unwill-
ingness TO fan into line for Taft at the
administration behest on account of his
advocacy OF the Philippine tariff. which, it
was claimed, would injure the sugar beet
growers in the West.
An Editor and Others.
In the delegation from Michigan, which
called on the Secretary a few days ago.
was a Michigan editor. who will be d
delegate-at-large 20 the Republican ma
tional convention, Fred Warren, repre-
sentative in Michigan of the sugar trust
and Mr.. Mcmillan. a capitalist. Interested
in the beet sugar business as an investor
Secretary Taft told his visitors it was
never his intention 10 ask more for the
Philippines than such treatment as would
restore to them at least the degree OF
prosperity enjoyed before the American
occupation. He explained he had revised
his figures in his recent visit to the
islands, and had decided if the United
States admitted free Of duty 100000 tons
of Philippine sugar each year. or even il
It lowered the duty on that much al first
and gradually reduced the tariff until
the 100000 tons came iH free, the object
he desired would De accomplished
The Secretary's visitors were delighted
That the sugar trust is satisfied was
pointed out by one of the visitors later
The trust has already imported as many
as 2550UG tons of raw sugar from the
Philippines in one year, so that the im-
p0rJation 0f 100000 tons viii not disturb
its grip on the American sugar market
Money in the Pocket.
1t was pointed out. in fact. that it
would probably be money in the pocket
OF the American Sugar Refining Company
If the duty should be reduced or removed
on this limited amount of Philippine
sugar, for 1t would, in all probability, be
refined In the company's refucries and
sold by the company.
Il satisfactory profit on sugar is one
eighth OF a cent a pound, it was eX-
planned. and the duty runs as high as ia
cents which. If removed would fall into
the hands of those who handle the Phil
ippine sugar In this country.
II the Secretary had recommended I'm
his forthcoming report that all Philippine
sugar be admitted free, the sugar inter
ests would have been prepared 10 make
the counter proposition of restricting the
importation 10 an amount that could be
refined in American beet sugar mills but
the restrictions suggested in the report
We're so satisfactory that thu Michigan
delegation came away without offering
any counter suggestions II is under
stood the delegation took occasion 10 say
after the conference that there would be
no further opposition TO Mr.. Taft's Presi-
dental boom among the beet sugar IN
terests of Michigan, because Of his atd-
tude toward Philippine raw sugar.