The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-15
Spreekels Continues BOmbard~
ment of HoOver's Bureau.
Calls Food Administration Mere
Adjunct to ssTrust."
FIXED PRICE IS ExORBITAAT
Under Govt Control Says III
viii Continue High.
Asserts Refineries, Not Beet
Farmers, Get War Profit.

Washington, Dec. 15.-Charges OF
an attempt by the sugar trust" tc
saddle high prices on the American
people for years. thru the Hoover con1-
mittee, were made today in the senate
investigation by Claus A. Spreckels.
The witness charged the food adj
ministration committee to be q mere
adjunct of the trust and seeks to bind
all American refiners to allow it to
contract for future Cuban crops at It's
own prices.
If refiners agree to this, Spreckels
declared, the price to the American
consumer will be unalterably fixed
for years after the war, at figure as
high at present or higher et
But unless the refiners agree to the
price fixing. he said, they face loss of
their government licenses.
Spreckels. under questioning by
Probe Chairman Reed, stated that the
price of American beet sugar would
be advanced if the Hoover COMMITTEES
pays Cuban cane growers five cents a
pound, as contemplated.
Cites Prices OF Previous Years
This compares with 2S7 cents in
1907; 2.74 three years ago and AIS
last year, Spreckels stated.
The Hoover committee, which
| created" sugar shortage, according
to Spreckels. is packed with former
employees of the sugar trust" he de-
ella red.
Even the watchmen are former
watchmen for the American Sugar
Refining company" said Spreckels.
And f. F. Hooker former trust en-
ploye, is a steering committee of one
to whom all persons having business
with the committee must apply when
entering its offices"
Among those Spreckels named as
holding important positions with the
sugar committee were Harry c. Mott.
| formerly buyer for the sugar trust -
now buyer for the committee. and Z.
4. Gibson, former private secretary TO
Earl Babst. head of the sugar trust
and now secretary of the sugar COM
mittee.
Protested, Parties Interested.
! Spreckels said he had protested
against refineries fixing the price OF
sugar and against Hoover's appoint
ment of three American sugar. mag.
mates on the international committee.
he declared he had declined to head
syrup price committee because he
was an interested party. Spreclxels
produced letter from George RoIph.
chairman of the Hoover COMMITTEES
dated December 10, in which ROBIN
salo the state department had been ne
gotiating with the Cuban government
regarding price and supply of sugar.
That was the first Spreclseis lbsS
heard of such negotiations he said.
Judge Liudley. counsel for Hoover
ihtlhated that the high price for Gu
pah sugar was being arranged for
some secret diplomatic reason
Lindley also denied that the food
beet sugar - 10 % y.
Denies Control of Price.
We have no control over price
oIlIy under the licensing of wholesal-
Chairman Reed tried to get Lind
icy to admit the coercion used by
hoover was practically price-fxing.
! Great Indignation was manifested
! Dy RoIph and other representatives of
| the food administration at the hearing
| over the committees refusal to fef
| them cross-examine Spreckels.
turning from the Cuban cane SUI
gar situation to the domestic beet siI-
gar, Sprecklels said beet sugar farn,-
efs are not profiting by the Drica
fixed for beet sugar
\, Inc beet sugar factories are GET
ung the profit" said SpreckeIs T4a
produced a telegram from Food a.
mlnistrator Merrill, of California. to
hoover, stating that California beet
sugar growers would not plant their
usuaI acreages until the food adrainis-
tration prevented the factories fros,,
grabbing all the profits. -
Inc sugar trust has big interests
said. h4 SSs-e 20
Into a Verbal Clash.
a heated verbal clash between
Il. president
OF the American Sugar Refining conn
pahy, came as climax in the hearing
this afternoon.
Spreckles stated that Babst reoueat
ca MN to write to President WiIson
urging the president to have disr17isr-
ca the governments dissolution sltit
against the American Sugar Refinfr,g
company, the socalled sugar trust -
Babst jumped up and demanded the
opportunity Of denying Spreckels's as
sertion. The committee gave him na,-
mission to make a statement
never asked Spreckels To vrfta
70 the president, said Babst angrfly.
1t was suggested by powerful Corr
petltors that as we all would som, ~.
under government control, the govern
ment should dismiss the dissolufinn
suit against the American.
Il went TO Spreckels and asked him
whether, If our competitors would
unite in a request for dfsrnfssa or f1,a
suit he too would join. He replied he
would think it over. ] had no further
conversation with him on the subject
because / saw he was hesitating."
Then you deny you ever asked mo
to write letter to the president ?" de-
manded Spreckels.
you Did''-s4I Didn't
Il do deny it. I'm under oath" said
Babst
I'm willing you should question me.
Spreckels."
Senator Reed interrupted saying the
committee would do the questioning.
I'm under oath, too, and / say you
did ask me to write the letter." said
Spreckels.