Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-26
A. Heckscher DepIored 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 TO profit on
this account through the removal of
the tariff duty on sugar, A. Heck
scher. zinc nagnats. manufacturer and
capitalist OF New Yori. unsparingly
condemns the new tariff law. and
particularly as it relates to the sugar
industry.
At the Moana hotel, where. in com.
many with his wife. he is spending q
few quiet weeks enjoying the sea
tathing 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 opti-
n. istic for the immediate future, and
expressed much sympathy for the peo-
rle of Hawaii in their struggle to pre-.
eerve their main industry
@The sugar schedule seems to me
to be indefensible," he said5 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 a
revenue of some $50, 100000 which 1t
is aimed to make up by means of the
Income tax. The income tax principle
IL sound, but 1t is an aggravating
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 indicat
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 1t received $35 per ton, and
didn't lose money, although, he adj
mitted, 1t probably didn't make much.
Only q few Of the best Hawaiian plan
tations can produce sugar under pres
ent conditions for as low as $50 per.
ton.
BIG Cuban Crop This Year.
Mr.. Heckscher stated that this
years crop in Cuba will probably be
about 100000 tons. This is steady
increase from about 100000 tons
two years ago And Cuba. he thinks.
is capable Of producing 100000 tons
annually, when sufficient labor is.
available
3 81 think the American beet sugar
industry will he ruined" said the
speaker. land / personally know Of
some of the best mills in Louisiana,
which have negotiated recently with
our company to ship all their machin-3
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 return2
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-I
perience. Knowing Europe thorough
ly, he naturally constantly compares
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
his passing on big business matters.
He should have travelled Had hei
been personally familiar with condi-I
lions in Hawaii, Mr.. Heckscher
thinks, the sugar schedule would not
have been passed as it was. Secre-
larry of State Bryan, he thinks, is
most conspicuous for his remarkable
gnorancel but he has much respect
q