Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-01-05
BY Grace of the Sugar earon..

~ lIe STIlSUlan science MONITOR.
We have it on the authority of the New
Orleans Times-Picayune, a newspaper
competent to speak i%ntelligently on the
subject, that although all the points be-
tween the Louisiana sugar growers and
the American Sugar Refining company,
known as the sugar trust, have not been
settled. and although the famous suits of
the planters against the company for the
alleged forcing down of the price OF raw
sugars, Just when their crop reached the
market, remain undetermined, neverthe-
less an agreement has been reached be-
tween the two parts that will prevent
ioture differences. What appears actually
TO nave come about is this: the Ameri-
can Sugar Refining company has been.
and is, making immense profits as a
consequence Of the war. The sailing for
it, speaking generally, been as smooth
as could be desired. But the Louisiana
product has menaced its monopoly. and
the Louisiana planters have been loud in
their complaints. The trust could, APP
parently. easily ruin the Louisiana plant
ers. II it were not for possible interfer-
ence by the courts. Moreover, the Ameri-
can public. becoming better acquainted
with the sugar situation from time to
time. has been inclined to take sides with
the home sugar growers Altogether, in
view OF the great profits being made by
the trust. in view of the occasional price
reductions evidently thought necessary i'm
order TO crowd southern sugar to the wall,
and in Wow of the fuss likely to be made
about it i'm ongress next winter, the
American Sugar Refining company has
thought it the wiser policy to come to
an agreement with the Louisiana grow
ers.
Let it be remembered that the com
plaint. made by the Louisiana sugar
planters. embraced the allegation that the
sugar trust forced prices down whenever
the Louisiana crop was placed on the
market, and that this allegation was sus-
tained ~ evidence. The trust had full
control OF the sugar market. being the
chief and almost the only purchaser of
raw sugars and had it i'm its power to
fix an artificially low price. The last
legislature of Louisiana extended such
aid as it could give to the and
their complaint OF trust domination is in
the courts on suits instituted by the state.
but it is now a question whether these
will he pressed.
Under the arrangement effected. the
trust agrees to purchase SO, 900 tons OF
Louisiana sugar. at fixed periods, on the
basis OF the New York price. and, it is
said. every provision has beer made to
prevent any complication or misunder-
standing arising" So far as the LOUIS
lana & planters can see at this time.
their interests are strongly buttressed.
The indications are that the Louisiana
sugar growers will hereafter be able to
get fair and just values" for their prod
uct. and will enjoy" according to the
referred to, 1.-The profit to no
derived from the higher price that staple
is now commanding in the markets of the
world"
This appears to be wholly satisfactory
from the point OF view Of the Louisiana
planters, but 1t remains a fact that the
selfish interest Of the trust, and not the
law of the land. has interviewed to bring
about the arrangement. The shameful
thing is that the so-called sugar trust. or
any trust" is permitted to exercise cap
ital authority in commercial affairs. Not
by the grace of the United States consti-
tuition. nor by grace of the United States
statues. nor by grace Of the common law.
but by grace Of a great corporation. ara
the sugar pa nters "t Louisiana permitted
TO carry on their industry, AID yet the
United States has a federal trade commits.
sion!