Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-26
A. Heckscher Deplored Effect
of Democratic Policy on In
dustry in These Islands

Notwithstanding his heavy interest.
financially. in the Cuban sugar bust
ness. and that he expects 10 profit on
this account through the removal of
the tariff duty on sugar. A. Heck
scher. zinc magnata. manufacturer and
capitalist OF New Yorl. unsparingly
condemns the new tariff law. and
particularly as 1t relates to the sugar
industry.
AT the Moana hotel, where. In com.
many with mis- wife. he is spending a
few quiet weeks enjoying the sea
Iathing and the climate of Hawaii,
Mr.. Heckscher yesterday afternoon
talked most interestingly to the Star.
Bulletin about the sugar situation as
be sees It. and about the political and
business status Of the United States
at the present time. He Is not Opt.
n.istic for the immediate future, and
expressed much sympathy for the peo-
rle OF Hawaii in their struggle to pre-.
serve their main industry.
"The sugar schedule seems to me
tc be indefensible, he said, "and
the same IS also true Of some other
industries. The sugar duty is one
which injured nobody, but on the
other hand made possible large bust.
hess enterprises, thus helping many,
and at the same time producing q
revenue OF some $55,000.000 which 1t
is aimed to make up by means of the
income tax. The income tax principle
Is sound, but it is an aggrayating
means OF raising revenue and viii
never be popular"
Mr.. Heckscher's interests In Cuba
are in the great Stewart Sugar Com.
pany, of which he is an important
shareholder and a director, This
company is one of the largest and
most profitable plantation properties
in Cuba, having an output of over
100000 tons of sugar annually. In
spite of the low prices which obtain.
ed last year, this company Melted a
profit of some 100000 Some indica,
ton of the difference in cost of max
ing sugar in Cuba and Hawaii may
be gained from the statement made
by Mr.. Heckscher that his company
shipped sugar to Japan last year, for
which it received s35 per ton, and
didn't lose money. although. he adj
mitted, it probably didn't make much.
Only few of the best Hawaiian plan
tations can produce sugar under pres
ent conditions for as low as $50 per
ton.
Biu Cuban Crop This Year.
Mr.. Heckscher stated that this
years crop in Cuba will probably be
about 1900, 900 tons. This is steady
increase from about 100000 tons
two years ago. And Cuba he thinks.
is capable of producing 5000. 900 tons
annually, when sufficient labor is
available.
81 think the American beet sugar
industry will be ruined !" said the
speaker. and ! personally know of
some Of the best mills in louisiana,
our company to ship all their waehin-
cry to Cuba. Some Of these concerns
/ refer to have been in the sugar bus
mess successfully for nearly CEN
fury, perhaps. Does It look like good
craftsmanship to drive Industries
away from home In that fashion? And
what are we being offered in return?
An income tax"
Mr.. Heckscher was born in Ger
many, but has been in America since
1872. and as he says, he has been
through all phases of our business ex-
perience Knowing Europe thorough.
ly, he naturally constantly copparas
cur institutions with those of the old
er nations and in most business and
fiscal matters we suffer in the COM
parison. Our handling of the tariff
he thinks is anything but scientific.
President Wilson, while exceedingly
high minded. he thinks has not had
the practical experience. to warrant
Els passing on big business matters
He should have travelled Had he
been personally familiar with condi-
lions in Hawaii, Mr.. HeckscherI
thinks. the sugar schedule would not
have been passed as it was. Secre-I
tary of State Bryan, he thinks. is
B,pst conspicuous for his remarkable
ignorancei but he has much respect
for Attorney general McReynoid's