New-York tribune., 1909-05-20
CLAY ATTACKS TRUST
Says Sugar Refining Company Has
Made $500, 900 900 in 12 Years.

Washington. May 19-Severely arraigning the so
called Sugar Trust and urging material reduction
in the duty refined sugar Senator Clay, Of
Georgia. to-day discussed at length THE various
phases of the beet and sugar industries He
argued that the consumer was Disseminated against
in favor Of the American Sugar Refining Company
and that the sugar grower gets benefit Of the
dfferential between the duties on raw and refined
sugar. He severely criticised the manner in which
the sugar schedule Of the Payne bill was framed.
Contending that the AmFican Sugar Refining
Company owned the principal refneries in the
United states and was almost without competition
in refining sugar, Mr.. Clay declared that the duty
on refined sugar almost prohibited the importation
of foreign sugar into this country. said that
the beet grower and the cane grower of sugar both
compelled TO sell 10 the Sugar Trust at the
price which it fixed Comparing the wholesale
price OF gTanuated sugar In Hamburg and IN New
York, which he said 81 cents pound cheaper
in Hamburg. Mr.. Clay fgureI that the American
consumer paid a difference Of N76.oooOo0 for his
refined sugar. OF this he said, the government
received S530o0OOO in customs duties while he said
the Sugar Trust got the other 100000 Contin-
ung, the Senator said
The American Consumers Of sugar have paid 20
the American sugar Refining company, commonly
called the Sugar Trust at least S55.o006O0 year in
profit, amounting IN twelve years 10 S66o"O,0h
The American people are not aware OF The tact
that if the sugar We import came into this coun-
cost of sugar the American consumer would be
reduced nearly onc-half- I am not insisting that
this country free OF duty, but there ought TO be
substantial reduction over 'he rates fixed IN the
Dingley law
The most graspinE and unconsconabie trust 10
be found anywhere is the American Sugar Rein-
ing COMPANY" added Mr. Clay, commonly called
the Sugar Trust. The Stee! Trust and the Stand
ard OIL r point Of dishonesty and INSCRIPTIONS
conduct. are suc6ling babes in comparison with the
gar Trust
Mr.. Clay reviewed the various cases and claims
Of the government pending against the sugar
trust "Ofncials representing tho government. who
have made an investigation into these fraudulent
transactions" he continued. believe that the
American Sugar Refining Company has robbed the
Treasury OF more than 100000 justly due the
Treasury It deserves mercy at the hands OF
Congress. and most assuredly .no favors the
hands Of Congress The criminal and civil laws
ought 10 be vigorously enforced against it. and
best way 10 destroy it is give it healthy foreign
competition"
Senator Clay declared that Joseph +. Smith. The
head of the Mormon Church, every year fixed the
price Of beets the interest of the beet
factories Of Utah, rather than in favor Of the
producers OF beets. This assertion called forth
a characterization OF his statement absolutely
untrue by Senator Smoot, himself official Of
the Mormon Church Mr.. Clay declared that Mr..
Smith, president OF the beet sugar factories Of
Utah received 500 oo0 annual salary.
He is always in favor Of the factories and
against the growers" said Mr.. Clay.