The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-12
THE TARIFF SUGAR SCANDAL
SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

There is pretty regularly a scandal
about sugar IN connection with the
making of tariff bill. Small wonder,
IN view of the demonstration which has
been made of the nature and extent OF
the Sugar trusts graft in the duties.
But this year the scandal ought to
be avoided. The exposure has been
so complete. it is SO fresh in the public
mind, it reaches to so many different
departments OF the trusts activities.
that really Congress viii be beyond
excuse or forgiveness if it shall refuse
to heed what everybody else recognizes.
We have read and understood the
expose of the trusts frauds against
the very tariff duties which give it life.
We have seen it pay huge fine rather
than appeal a verdict against it. We
have seen it arraigned in court for CON
spiracy to wreck the business of
competitor, and have learned that it
made private settlement rather than
take the chance of the verdict and the
exposure which it realized would en-
sue if that case should be carried to
the end.
We have read the details of the In
terstate Commerce Commissions casti-
cation of the Sugar trust for violating
the interstate commerce law in the
matter Of rebates
There has been presented the unan-
swerable demonstration of the exact
process by which the excuseless. obso-
lste, and unscientife Dutch standard of
color in the tariff act gives the trust
its protection.
The methods by which the Sugar
trust has absorbed the beet sugar bust
ness of the country have been set forth.
Il has been shown that the investment
IN beet sugar factors is first an in
vestment in political influence, and
second an enterprise in asphyxiation
of competition.
With ali this tremendous emulation
of damning facts, it Is impossible to
believe that Congress viii have the
hardihood- that any majority, however
intrenched CT insolent, win dare to con
tinue giving the trust the protection
which enables il to continue on its
way of crime and depreciation. OF
all the trusts in the land, this one Is
the most constituencies i'm its methods
the most reckless in its dealings The
public understands it, the courts render
their verdicts against it, the press has
raised its voice IN demand for ending
Of the scandal Congress Is the only
friend the Sugar trust has left; and
Congress seems determined that moth
ing shall wean it from its devotion
TO this depraved monopoly.
Let it be understood now that pub
lie patience is stretched to near tn,
point of breaking. There have beer
sugar scandals in the past, but nevel
such as that of this year Never be
fore has the case been so complete
I. the evidence so perfect. Never before
either, has the public been In d fran,
Of mind calculated 10 make it so dan
gerous to hout its opinions.
This sugar business has reached tht
point where it menaces the reputation
of every man who votes to continue
the Governments protection TO tn,
trust The people have their thought
on the recent exposures of custom
frauds. and conspiracy and rebating
Suppose right on top of that Their
should come specific incident of i'm
proper conduct on the part of som
legislator with reference % the inter
est of the Sugar trust? How, then
would any man, having voted uniform
~ 10 retain the trusts graft in Tn
sugar schedule, rid himself of ugly sus
pieions This is a situation which ever
member of Congress ought 70 conside
most seriously.