The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-20
DEMOCRATS would Destroy Industr,

democrats would Destroy Industry.
III the Democrats Of the Senate
think they have made any friends by
putting the sugar industry on four
year reprieve, they are sadly mis-
taken" said a prominent Colorado
business man, visiting in Washing
ton. 1.-THE people of my state are
thoroughly Disguised with the DEM
ocratic Senate caucus action in stating
sugar for the free list in 1920.
I'VE have been making good profits
from beet sugar on account Of the
European war, although the beet su-
gar industry was in precarious
state prior to that time. It has been
the intention OF our beet sugar men
to devote their war profits to the
building of new mills and factories,
and remodelling the old ones. but
with free sugar provision hanging
over their heads not one penny will
be invested in the extension Of this
industry, because no man would be
warranted in spending his money for
permanent improvements. Until our
beet sugar men can be assured of
protection to their industry, no new
capital or credit will be forthcoming
And understand the same conditions
will govern in the state of Louisiana.
II am informed that this caucus &C.
ton was offered as compromise to
Senator Hardwick's proposal to place
a consumption tax on refined sugar, a
plan which would put the beet sugar
business out of commission, and
which. am told, has the approval of
our own Senator Thomas of the
finance committee. The state of Cot
orado stands first in beet sugar pro-
duction, with an acreage of 100000
and probable yield of 225,000. tons.
Senator Thomas appears TO be the
implacable enemy OF an industry in
which his own state leads. Senator
Hardwlck's Irritation with c. A.
Spreckels. of the Federal Sugar Re-
flning Company will never be produc-
tive Of any good to my state. The
consumption tax proposed by him
was drawn by F. c. Lowry. the lobby
list of the seaboard sugar refineries
who are thick with the administra-
ton. The Democratic national COM
mlttee spread broadcast the free SUI
gar propaganda of the seaboard REIN
cries during the last campaign.
There seems to be something alb.
solutely sinister in the action of
Democratic leaders with regard to the
sugar schedule. When II comes to
the Hawaiian, the Louisianan, and
the beet sugar industry. every one Of
these Democrats turns thumbs down.
What have the domestic sugar pro-
ducers done to deserve this disfavor?
The Democratic minority Of the
finance committee of the Senate in
1912, reported: The tariff on sugar
is peculiarly revenue tariff. Very
much of the major part of the tax
levied on the consumer goes actually
into the United States treasury
1.-The tariff plank in the Democratic
platform stated: We favor the ulti-
mate attainment of the principles we
advocate by legislation that will not
injure or. destroy legitimate indus
try This plank was inserted to give
assurance to the domestic sugar pro.
ducers. Between the time of Wood
row Wilson's nomination and his
election a rumor started that he IA
vored free sugar. Our producers put
the question TO him and his reply
contained further assurances that the
sugar industry would not be de-
stroyed. Charles r. Heike. secre-
tary of the American Sugar Refining
Company, a member OF the seaboard
gang, testified before the Hardwick
sugar investigating committee that II
the duty were removed absolutely on
sugar, It would destroy the industry
in this country, and that he would
approve of that. Mr.. Spreckels de-
clared that he stood for free sugar.
absolutely. OF course the seaboartl
reflners want to kill the beet sugar
industry, because. they will then domi-
nate the market and can exact any
price they like.
But the domestic sugar producers
now know definitely where the Demo;
Gratis stand in this matter. and they
will work tooth and toe-nail TO put
the Republican party into power In
March, 1917. Then we will know
! where we get or"