Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-07-18
FREE SUGAR.


Compare the total investment in the
American sugar industry with the amount
the duty on sugar costs the American peo-
pie annually. and we pick up the clue ex-
planning why. despite the presence Of the
sugar lobbies in Washington. the 2-cent
tariff tax is 10 be removed from sugar.
Exclusive Of land and farm animals
(Which can be used in other farming oper-
ations) the total investment in sugar in
the United States is about 500. 000. 900.
For the benefit Of the few men owning this
industry. the American people are taxed
annually in the increased price Of sugar
$4,000. 900. or $40. 000. 900 more than
the total sugar investment. 1t is also $40.-
100000 more than the total annual value
Of the American sugar crop. including its
by-products-
To the individual this tax amounts to
Sl50 or an annual charge Of $3.50 on
family Of average size
Since 1897 the protection TO the sugar
industry has cost American consumers two
thousand million dollars But If the public
GOT value received for this sum-in reve-
nue. 10 defray the cost Of government
there would not be 50 much complaint.
But the actual duty collected in 10 years
has been only $500. 00O. 900. The balance,
H.200.000.000. has been a bonus pure
and simple wrune from the poor to create
a new group Of American millionaires.
Leaving aside the principle that sugar
as prime food necessity should come un-
taxed to the American public. the produc-
ton Of cane sugar in this country is an
artificial. unnatural industry. There are
two types Of sugar production from sugar
beets. grown in many sections Of the
country. and from sugar cane, grown along
the gulf coast Of Louisiana and Texas. 1t
is possible, indeed probable. that beet
sugar production has now progressed to a
point where it can be called a natural in
dustry. II So it does not need protection
in order to survive. Bot there is no natu-
raj justification for cane-sugar production
in the United States.
1t is possible TO grow bananas and tea
in New England in hot houses Yet not
even the most rabid psotectionist would
advocate prohibitive duty on bananas or
tea. raising the prices Of these foods ten
times above what they are now in order
that tea and bananas might be produced
with profit in hot houses in New England.
In a somewhat smaller degree cane-suear
growing is hot-hOuse industry. The sugar
in cane is called sucrose by chemists.
louisiana cane is only six to seven per
cent sucrose, while Cuban cane is II to II
per cent and Hawaiian from IA to is per
cent sucrOse-Or over twice as much sugar
in the same amount Of cane.
In Cuba sugar cane grows naturally. and
is planted once in every ten years In
louisiana the cane must be replanted
every year. There is never frost in Cuba ;
in Louisiana the cane must be cut in 0cto-
Der before maturity to escape frost. thus
accounting for the lower sucrose contents
louisiana sugar mills are Anticipated. while
some of the Cuban factories are the latest
and most efficient in the world.
And so, though louisiana wages are
much lower than those paid in Cuba. it
costs nearly four cents to produce pound
Of raw sugar in Louisiana. against Cuban
cost Of two cents Said Representative T..
W. Hardwick. Of Georgia. the great sugar
expert Of the House:
in order to produce a cane sugar crop
valued at $25.O00.000. our louisiana
friends insist that we ought to continue a
system Of taxation that costs the Ameri-
can people $4,000. 900. in the increased
price Of sugar. 1t is undemocratic it il
unfair: 1t is unrighteOus; and. so far as
am concerned. will never stand for {
continuance of this policy to keep dut!
on this great necessity Of life which cal
not possibly be produced in Louisiana one
half as cheaply as it can in the balance o
the world"