The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-24
MADISON TAKES A HAND
Kansan Questions Representative of
Mormon Sugar Interests.

C@-1~-A ~SNSs
Washington, June 24.=That the
Mormon church, in existing the aid Of
beet sugar industries was seeking sole
~ the welfare of its people. was de-
clared to be fact by Thomas r. Cut
Ter, vice president of the Utah-Idaho
house sugar trust investigating corr
mittee. Mr.. Cutler discussed freely
the business policy of the church and
was frank in revealing details of deal
ings with Mr.. Havemeyer.
why does the Mormon church go
into the sugar business and other bus
mess enterprises?" asked Representa-
tive Kinds (Me.).
Anything that affects the material
as well as the spiritual welfare of its
ages" said Mr.. Cutler. cit provides
occupation for the people in many
other lines of business as we'll as in
the beet sugar industry"
'"Then the Mormon church" quer-
led Representative Madison (Kan.) 4,
sis not only a spiritual, organization
but also business organization %
ITO great extent that is true Mr.
Cutler replied.
THE Mormon church owns stock
in the Union Pacific railroad?" Mr..
Madison asked.
ct doubt it. I wish it did,
well, the president Of the church
owns Union Pacific stock at least -
Mr.. Madison continued. "And not only
as a matter of encouraging thrift, but
as a cOld-b1ooded business proposition
it owns interests in irrigation compan-
les, agricultural enterprises, wooden
and sugar factories and other indus
tries. does it not?"
ITO a certain extent. It would have
to carry on business enterprises that
way or they would fail"
i IL.
enterprises Of the church are managed
by the presiding bishop who acts as
business manager.
Questioned regarding the tariff, Mr..
Cutler said the 'howl for free trade"
in sugar was being made by the cane
refineries and that it would ruin the
beet sugar business.
In discussing sugar prices in the west,
Mr.. Cutler said the price of sugar for
Utah. Wyoming, Idaho and the inter-
mountain territory was fixed by a Pa
cifc coast price list determined daily
at San Francisco, based upon the Ham
burg price and the local conditions.
DO you follow those prices?" asked
Chairman I1ardwick.
Yes, we have to follow them
From whom do you get those price
lists7"
Prom the Western Sugar Refining
company and the California e Ha-
waiian Sugar company. We make our
price Plus the freight rae from San
Francisco for the local market and
less 20 cents, the differential between
cane and beet sugar"
Then in Utah Idaho and that ter
ritory, you charge the consumer the
freight although the sugar does not
travel the distance?" asked Mr.. Hard
wick.
Yes. that's the way all the prices
of commodities must be fixed"
At the time the deal was made where
by Nj. Havemeyer purchased one-half
of the original Utah Sugar company
before the cor solidation and formation
Of the Utah-Idaho Sugar Refining COM
pany, Mr.. Cutler said he had acted as
the agent of his own people and did
not consider himself as an agent of
meyer. he said, left the management
entirely to the wisdom of the western
men.
'Did you ever consult Mr.. Have
meyer about prices?" asked Represen-
tative Madison.
Never"
Did you ever ask him about terri
tory in which you were to sell sugar ?"
mo"
Did you ever ask him about when
to selI?"
asked Mr.. Havemeyer for his opinion
of the foreign crops and when he
thought it would be a good time for US
to unload our sugar. He would give
me his ideas"
Did you follow them?' Mr.. Madi-
son asked.
Il did not" Mr.. Cutler answered.
mr.. Havemeyer may have been a
good expert, but it was difficult for
him to Judge our conditions out there"
Wasn't Mr.. Havemeyer also in con-
troll of the Spreckels sugar interests in
California % asked Mr.. Madison.
Mr.. Havemeyer once made a re-
mark to me-" said Mr.. Cutler, that
led me to believe that he wasn't. That
was during the life Of Claus Spreckels,
ST. He said to me: We own 81 per
cent of that refinery, but I cant do
anything with it. can't get the in
formation I want "
zone of the remarkable features
about this investigation, Representa-
tive Madison remarked, "is that every
one seems to think Henry o. Have
meyer was a masterful man, yet no
one was willing to follow his advice"