New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
Beet Producers
Agree to Limit
Price of Sugar
Compact With Food Ad-
ministration Expected to
Save Public $3O,OOO,OOO

WASHINGTON. Aug. 26-Beet sugar
producers have agreed with the Food
Administration to limit the price of
their sugar 20 a basis which should
result in a reduction Of about u
cents pound from the present price
and effect a saving Of S30,000.000 70
the consuming public between now and
the first Of next year.
That sugar may reach the dealer
without intermediate speculative and
exorbitant profits, wholesale grocers
have agreed 10 limit distribution
charges.
Owing 20 the holders Of the re-
mander OF the Cuban crop asking eX-
orbitan: prices for their sugar" tho
Food Administration announces the
price has advanced during the last
few weeks by over IA cents per
pound. The new Cuban crop will not
De available until the latter part OF
December, and if this high price is 10
continue until that time the American
people will have paid about 100000 900
more for their sugar than otherwise
would have been the case.
The beet sugar production Of about
100000 tons begins 70 come into the
market during September and should
furnish the bulk Of supplies between
then and the first OF next year, when
the Cuban crop will be available.
Agreement to Limit Price
IN response 20 a request from the
Food Administration representatives OF
80 per cent of the domestic beet indus
try of the United States have been
IN conference with the Food Admins
tration IN Washington during the last
week As a result Of this conference
these beet sugar producers reached the
agreement 20 limit their price 10 a
basis that will make possible the $780,
100000 saving TO the public.
The representatives OF the beet
sugar producers VINO were IN Washing
ton during the last week have pledged
themselves 20 secure the active CO
operation Of the other 20 per cent OF
the beet industry and have every rea-
son 20 believe that the action OF the
industry will be unanimous.
This patriotic action OF the domestic
beet sugar industry in acting as con-
troll over the price demanded for I'M
ported sugar will not only make the
saving mentioned above between now
and the end Of the year, but Will con-
tribute largely TO establish a lower
price for imported sugar throughout
next year.
I'm order that sugar may reach the
dealer without intermediate specula-
tive profits between the producer and
the retailer. the wholesale grocers OF
America have voluntarily agreed with
the Food Administration TO limit dis.
tribution charges in such manner as
20 eliminate the possibility Of specula-
tive or exorbitant profits. and the Food
Administration will be able az a later
date 20 announce the price at which
wholesale sugar should be delivered 20
the large consuming centres Of the
country.
Consumers Must Be on Guard
1T will then be for the consumers
themselves 70 see that they receive just
treatment from the retail dealers.
ut will be OF interest 20 the trade 20
know that the price agreed upon means
sT.25 cane sugar basis, T. o. D. seaport
refining points. such as New York,
Philadelphia. New Orleans, Boston and
San Francisco.
at is the intention Of the Food Al
miristration TO adopt certain measures
which will efTectually assur. that this
price shall not be exceeded during the
coming year even upon imported sugar,
and IL is hoped that as soon as the
Cuban crop Is available the price will
be less than S7.25.'
Il is desirable for the public 70 bear
in mind. the Food Administration points
out, that 10 supply the Allies with
sugar from the West Indies IN place Of
their usual source Of supply, which IS
row cut off, the public must reduce its
consumption OF sugar by every means
possible.
This year the beet sugar crop will
not be moving freely in the country be-
fore October |, and therefore there will
be few weeks before the reduced price
becomes effective. This affords an op-
portunity for distributors and retailers
to dispose Of sugar purchased at 4
higher cost level