New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-25
MORE ABOUT. SUGAR TRUST
spreckels Says He Had to Start
Store to Sell Product

Spreckels Says He Had to Start
Store to Sell Product.
The difficulties that beset him in various
ways In his attempts TO compete with the
Sugar Trust were further described YES
terdsy before the Congressional committee
investigating sugar By Claus A. Spreckcls
president Of tho Federal Sugar Refining
COMPANY. of Yorkers. one OF the few sue.
Cessful independents I'm the Industry MIR
SpIeckels said that II tho tariff were re
moved tho price Of sugar would he lowered
70 the consumer by the amount Of duty
now paid. providing, he intimated. that no
other stronger influence would interfere
Give us reciprocity with England and
the American sugar refneries will control
The English market. and We will pay ON
vorkinsmen wages on the American scale, -
said Mr.. Spreckels, in answer TO a question
put by Mr.. Hines.
Mr.. Spreckes was a wiling witness and
frequently he attempted 10 te,, his story in
all details, particularly when the question
arose by implication as TO what really con.
stituted the difference in the bushes,
methods employed 10y the Sugar Trust and
tho few independents. Congressman George
r. Malby restricted the scope Of Mr.
Spreckelss testimony 10 direct answers &c
queries. and the questions were framed Sc
49, 70 permit concise and exact RESPONSE
only
Mr.. Mslhy's objection 10 having line
drawn at.the presen: inquiry between IN,
trust aud tho independents appeared 10 he
based on the fact that the existence Of a
sugar Trust had not been legally estab.
lished. When Mr.. Spreckels testified that
a removal OF the tariff on sugar would
lower its prices he wanted 10 quality hi.
statement by SAYING that combination
might prove stronger influence OH the
market than the tariff Mr. Malb- inter
rupted him. ~ am not saving anything
about trusts or combinations" he said
We would have ~ 60 into tho legal ques
ton ~ whether there was 4 trust
Mr.. spreckels then began 70 relate his
experience in fighting the sugar combins
ton. and described the fate Of a shiplosd
81 sugar which he had sent 10 san Fran
cisco and had been unable 10 sell throusi,
flo usual agencies because Of the influence
Of the trust
surplus product. ard tho price in San Fran,
cisco was 50 10 20 points higher than In
Now York shipped $500 to 90 go ba-
rls around the Horn. When I offered 70
sell 81 AZ T. 10 IL points below the market
the groccrs refused 10 buy H. Us they ver.
afraid that tho interests ON Tho Coas, would
refuse 10 sell them goods in the future
81 offered tho sugar through y mar
named Samuel Sussman. He came 10 me
tho ncNt day and said that my brother
John y. Sprockels president Of the West
crn Sugar Refining Company, wanted e
know IL ! would agree that this would h.
the only shipment sent by me- replied
that no such assurance could be given. as
# was against tho law. Finally We sold
or product to retail grocers. by establish
ing our own store and advertising"
This transaction cost him $1,000. Mr.
Sprtckels said. though the price e sugar
dropped IN san Francisco at that time
from s. 81 70 q - hundred pounds
Ia answer 10 questions Mr. Sprock~Is said
that no considered the output Of California
rcfncrios considerably decreased since tho
time When his fathers interests were alb
sorbod hy the American Sugar Rcdnus
Compauy lie described the purchase Of
Tho Philadelphia plant by tho rIavcmoyer
Interests. Io had been manager Of thc
plant during his fathers interest in IL. bc
said. and few DAYS after he refinery
opened all sorts Of trouble began with tho
machinery and the plant
Elevators and conveycrs were broken. "
Mr.. Sprockels testified. y bis beam was
thrust into the nclosed box ~ the elevator.
breaking all chains and stopping the op-
GRAFTON ot tho plant
Did YOU have any mon there who had
formerly been employed by tho American
sugar Refining Company2" he was asked
we did" ne replied, and al tho mon
I'm charge Of that department were dis
missed
Tho Federal Sugar Refining COMPANY. Of
Youkers, M Spreckes said, was started
b. him after he had taken q vacation In
Trropc after tho sale ~ hts Hawaiian I'm
tcrests \ small plant was pur into opera
'ion M 1909 with . capacity Of siX hundred
barrels dsv. larger plant has beei
completed since ie5i, and has been extended
since 10 = capacity Of seven thousand ba r.
rols Mr. Sprockels said he could not 70.
member tn" original capitalization Of his
YonKors plant
A. tp the refusal Of The Hawaiian in,
iorest. 10 sell raw sugar 20 him. Mr.
Sproctcla said that lac had offered to bet
ter any price thev received. but that thoy
would not even treat, md continued IL
gct ,b.ir ,r.sIuct "a tho com biuatiou