Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-04
Officer of Trust Opposes Free
Sugar-Brief Filed for Ha-
wall in Favor of Protection
Described as Able


nj Willett & Gray, who was present
at the sugar tariff hearing, the follow
ing extracts are taken:
The hearing of the sugar tariff, be-
| fore the committee Of ways and means
Of the House of Representatives. took
| place on January -, at Washington.
%. c.
Only seven hours were given by the
! committee, which was entirely made.
quate for the presentation Of evidence
! nd briefs by the number of represen-
tafives Of the various sugar interests
wishing to be heard. Louisiana had a
! l"lRe delegation. The beet sugar fac
I tories had their most prominent man.
ayers present from Utah, Idaho. Colo
itGo, Michigan, Wi eonsin, California
and elsewhere, but as not all could Ee
beard, they delegated ones to repre-
sent all. Farmers were present in
, numbers, too many to give each an OPP
poFtunity to speak. Cane refners, also,
had several representatives on hand
1t seems to be the consensus Of
opinion that but little benefit can
come of this superficial hearing, as far
as the action aof the House is con-
otrned, it being conceded that the
House is bound to pass a free duty
bill, leaving the Senate and confer
ence committee of Senate and House
10 compromise On a schedule proVid-
Ing for a duty, but substantially less
t'tan present rate.
We attended the hearing and made
the following notes:
Free Sugar Proponents,
Frank C. Lowry. representing the
Federal Sugar Refining Co. and the
committee of wholesale grocers who
advocated free sugar, or a large re-
drction from the present duty of $3.50
per 100 lbs. on refined and $1.6S5 per
Ito lbs. on 80 deg. raws from foreign
countries, to 621sc. per 100 lbs. on 100
deg. test refined and Coo. per 100 lbs.
sca 100 deg. test raws, reducing the
rate .006c. per degree for each degree
downward, and with the rate on Cuba
sugar 20 per cent less. This he stated
would produce a revenue from sugar
OF $19,330,000, and protect the domes-
tic industries to the same amount and
save to consumers $S9, 1886, 230 Ter an
npm in their cost of sugar. If further
revenue from sugar is required he rec
commended a consumption tax Of 25c.
per 100 lbs. on all sugar, raw or REIN
ed, going into direct consumption.
This consumption tax would pot apply
t., raw sugars going into fefineries
which sugar had paid the import duty.
Mr.. Lowry thought such tariff
would not prevent the increase of the
beet sugar industry, although 1t might
dc stroy the Louisiana cane industry,
which should look elsewhere for some
thing to replace 1t.
Mr.. Lowry sustained his position
with facts and figures, which called
forth much discussion and antagonism
between himself and some members
of the Committee. Mr.. Lowry oecu-
pied one hour and ten minutes, and
was followed by Mr.. Fernald, repre-
senting the National Gamers Associa- |
ton, who advocated free sugar or a |
lower duty in the interest of Gamers |
generally He complained that impedi-
ments were in the way Of his getting
the authorized drawback on the sugar |
ten minutes and filed-a brief.
= VIM. A. Jamison represented the Ar
buckle Refinery and requested free |
duty sugar, and filed brief without |
argument or reading Il.
Trust Man Opposes Free Sugar:
Edwin F. Atkins, Vice-President OF |
the American Sugar Refining Co., read
a brief of the American Sugar Rein
ing Co. and filed it. Mr.. Atkins was
questioned at considerable length by
the Committee and, in reply to ques-
tons, said he or his company were
not in favor of free sugar. That one,
reason he appeared was to contradict
reports that they were instigating the
agitation for free sugar in connection
with Mr.. Lowry. That entire interest
IF his company in beet factories is
about $22,o00,00 That he personally
produces in Cuba about $4,000 tons of
sugar on 10000 to 10000 acres Of land
on an investment Of IL million dol
rails. He never did ask, and would not
do 80 now, for free sugar in the inter
est of Cuba and he considered the in
terests of cane refiners and Cuban
Planters were identified as to tariff.
James H. Post, representing the Ma
tional Sugar Refining Co.. stated that
he was opposed to free sugar and fav-
ored a moderate reduction Of duties
and filed a brief opposed to free sugar
aid favored a moderate reduction of
duties.
VIM. l.. Bass, of San Domingo, adj
voeated a sugar schedule beginning at
] 80 per 100. lbs. for 100 degree raws
and refined and increasing mot de-
creas!ng) 5 cents per 100 lbs. for
every degree down, say IS degree at |
s1.55, "a degree at $1.60, and so on,
also doing away with the No. Is
Dutch Standard and branding clauses.
Louisiana Man Heard.
r. E. Milling, representing Louisi-
ana sugar indus try, made long argu-
ment quoting the Democratic platform
as sgainst iniuring or destroying any
industry.
Mr.. Harrison of the committee, ask
ed if the committee is not under g.
Jipotiop m doStroy o0V illo0itjmata in.