New-York tribune., 1909-12-18

to II. as they were accustomed TO do to the
other big sugar refineries about New York,
a charge OF something more than cents
a 100 pounds for lehterage. The railroads
contended that the Federal company's re-
enerv in Yonkers was without the zone
within which the railroads undertook TO do
the Iivhtering OF sugar to the railroad ter
miuals The company. on the other hand,
protested that its refinery was much nearer
10 the terminals than some of the re-
hneries within the zone but failed to OBJ
tain refunds on sugar shipments, when II
undertook 10 do its own Eghtering. An
anneal was taken TO the Interstate Com
ruerce Commission. which disagreed on the
question. but the matter is still before that
body for adjudication.
Claus A Spreckels, the head of the COM
many, is now in the West, but 1t was said
al the Offices of the company yesterday
that every facility had been afforded the
government toward conducting an investi-
CATION. In his absence it was said that the
company did not believe II owed the gov
ernment any money for short weighing Of
sugar importatious. as nothing had been
heard directly since the government in
vestigators had completed their work of
checking up the books officials who We're
seen. however. made ii plain that If short
ages were found it would be great sur
prise 20 them. II there were any shortages.
they were sure the Federal company was
not responsible for them.
Meanwhile the American Sugar Refining
Company is making every effort to repair
the bad impression that it is confessed has
been created by the revelations already
made in the sugar investigation. The in
dictment Of Ernest Berbracht. former su-
perintendent of the company's Havemeyer
& Elder plant. with the significant state
ments made yesterday by Mr.. Stimson.
counsel for the government, that men
higher up We're being aimed at by the IN
vestigators. has left an uneasy feeling.
Since James NJ Beck took hold as gem
eTaI counsel for the company there have
been long discussions between him and Of
1cials of the company. The intimation that
the government has something UP its
sleeve. and that II will shortly make a
claim for a refund of more than 100000
from the company, besides the S2,l35000 it
has already paid in, has helped 10 crystal
lie the sentiment in the directorate that
those who were prominent in the old regime
Of the company must get OUT.
After a long conference with Mr.. Beck
yesterday Washington B. Thomas. the
president or the company VINO IS Sald 10
have met strenuous opposition in his fight
for thorough house cleaning, gave out a
statement In which he said that John Z.
Parsons had retired as general counsel of
the company as long ago as last May. The
announcement il Is said, was dictated in
Difference to the feelings of Mr.. Parsons.
who didn't relish the impression that he
was forced out and superseded by Mr.
Beck. Since Mr.. Parsons's withdrawal. his
law firm-Parsons, Closson & McIlvaine-it
was stated has been acting as counsel
pending the selection Of his successor.
The statement mat Mr.. Parsons had not
been the governments counsel since May
last is taken 10 be only the precursor Of
an early announcement that he has com
pletely severed his connection with the
company In which he and the late Henry
o. Havemeyer were so long the dominant
figures.