New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-28
MORMON HEAD ON SUGAR
Iosenh +. Smith Tells of Alliance
with Havemeyer.
MANY WOMEN INTERESTED
"Prophet'' Says Havemeyer
Money Is Largely Responsible
for Utah's Prosperity.
rr-o,, The Tribune Bureau I


u,s.,,e-on June 27-From .Joseph F.
Smith the venerable and picturesque rresi-
der. n. the Mormon Church. the committee
iprestigating the American Sugar Refining
COMPANY heard an account to-day Of the
struggles Of pioneer Mormons. the upbuild-
ing NJ the beet suger industry through
Church aid. the Mormon Havemeyer alli-
ance and the dual operations If the Church
ne religious and business organization.
Concerning the inside workings Of the
business ~ the Utah-Idaho Sugar Com
rarv the president both Of the Church and
Of the company knew little Pressed for
details he suggested that the committee
"aek Cutler" Mr.. Cutler is the general
manager of the Utah-Tdaho company But
President Smith did know that Mr.. Have
never and the American Sugar Refining
Cor,nanv had acquired 50 per cent Of the
stock in the Mormon companies in 1907.
and he declared that Havemeyers money
WIS welcomed and was largely responsible
for tho present prosperity of the beet sugar
concerns in Mormon territory
The Mormon Prophet faced a mixed
audience Women invaded the committee
room. They came early. and remained until
Mr. Smith left the stand Bishop G. W.
Nihlev also Of the Mormon hierarchy was
examined later. but he was not the drawing
card President Smith proved - he. When
Mr. Smith-tall. spare Of frame. stroking a
long white beard-entered the room. the
women spectators crowded close 70 the wit
ness stand and listened atten.ively
The Mormon Church. Mr. Smith asserted.
had invested about s5o0oo in the sugar
business ITO help the industry and those
who had put their money in it," The com
biua,ion with Havemeyer. he thought. was
entirely within the law. and II was IN
doubtedly advantageous 10 the beet sugar
peorl. Havemeyer was described as
"henefa ctor."
Did you consider such combination in
restraint Of trade" asked Representative
Sulzer
Il considered il as an extension If trade,
replied President Smith 1T enhanced the
value OF our farms. it encouraged the
growing Of beets II cheapened the cost Of
production. and that trade has been one Of
The greatest blessings ever visited upon
Utah and Idaho"
What years did the original Utah sugar
company pay dividends prior to the ANAL
Samstion >"
Il can more easily tell what years IT
failed to pay dividends" replied the wit
ness dryly.
Trials o. Mormon Pioneers.
incidentally, Mr. Smith told graphic
story Of the immigration Of the Mormons
westward in 1916. their location I'm the
saEebrush plains ~ the Salt Lake Valley.
when no railroad ran west Of the Missls-
sippi and when We hauled sugar for nearly
two thousand miles across the country
from st Louis" The immigration from
Illinois. he said. had taken years. the cara
vans moving in groups Of ten. twenty or
fifty wagons. all stocked with provisions
and occupied ny Mormon families. Brig
lam Young. he said. conceived the idea
that the Mormons should grow beets for
sugar Dut the Industry had never thrived
until within the last ten years
Mr. Smith said he owned about seventy
shares Individually Of the stock Of the
Amalgamated Sugar Company Of ogden.
The Church held none Neither he nor the
Church held stock in the Lewiston sugar
Company. The Church became Interested
in The Utah Sugar Company when many
people who subscribed failed 70 pay for
tho stock and the company which was un-
Ger bond 70 complete A beet sugar factory,
was unable 10 do IT, The Church was
appealed ~ by the stockholders 70 assist.
which n did 70 the extent Of $4,000
Does the Utah-Idaho company pay divi-
dends?'
Yes, per cent
How is that dividend used by the
Church,"
In promoting its religious interests
Did the Church ever go into partnership
With Henry q Havemeyer?'
The Church never did. but the stock
holders did We were striving 10 build MP
the beet sugar business in Utah under
very great difficulties. We were anxious
70 obtain capital We were given 10 under
stand that Mr. Havemever had offered 10
take an interest In our enterprise, and l.
az one of the stockholders was very glad
N hear of hts offer. which eventually was
accepted was willing 10 sell my portion
NJ the stock 70 help make up the half
interest 70 the Havemeyers.
Before the Utah company combined
Nth Mr. Havemeyer" Mr.. HardVck
asked. was II not in competition with the
American Sugar Refining COMPANY"
.'Not in Utah