New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Denies Food Administra-
ton Is Responsible for
Sugar Shortage
Attacks Head of
Federal Company
Rehner Clashes With Babst
at Senate Committee
Inquiry

WASHINGTON. Dec. 15.--Charges
made by Claus Spreckels. president Of
the Federal Sugar Refining Company
before a Senate investigating commit
tee. that the food administration is re
sponsible for a sugar shortage, drew
from Food Administrator Hoover TO-
night vigorous attack on Mr.
Spreckels.
An open intimation is made by Mr.
Hoover that Mr.. Spreckels's testimony
was inspired by the fact that the food
administration cut profits in sugar
transactions.
81, required no proof from me- said
MIR. Hoover, 80 establish that Mr.
Spreckels, a leading sugar rehner, IS
sore at tho food administration and
would like TO sec it destroyed. re-
alize that Mr.. Spreekels's balance sheet
will not look so good next year as last,
for refners' profits have been regulat-
ed. Furthermore. his balance sheet
would have looked better this year il
The price Of last August had not been
reduced and held fast, in the face Of
partial shortage that promised fair
opportunity for 3O-ccnt sugar and
much increased profits.
Has Reason to Feel Badly
Mr.. Spreekels, therefore, has reason
10 feel badly. There are other citizens
who will feel the same way, and, no
doubt, can entertain the public by as
ssulting the food administration. While
many feel badly. still, the vast major
ity Of men and women of our business
community and of our farmers are
sacrificing their profits daily TO the
nations necessities without complaint,
for many are sacrificing more than
their money-theIr sons.
1--WE have had two months Of partial
sugar shortage and Novem-
beT-and will also have December be-
fore relief from the new crop. The
American people have had 100000 tons
OF sugar in these two months-that IS
20 per cent Of their normal supplies in
each month. and II cars are available,
they will have 20 per cent IN Deem
Der. Owing 20 car shortage. the short
age has been most acute m the North
east. and about 200 cars are today
blocked from that region.
This 20 per cent Is twice the French
ration. In the meantime We nave given
France . good part OF the 30 per cent,
snd are proud of IT, This supply TO
France was given deliberately, and the
American people were Jold of il at the
time. We have also agreed 20 draw
10000 tons for our friends in Canada.
have yet TO meet an American citizen
who would have it otherwise.
All Available Supplies Obtained
As to the food administration stop
ping the sources Of supply, the fac
That all available supplies have been
brought here that ships and cars could
bring and that il has already been
eaten is sufficient answer.
"Mr. Spreckels knows the bitterness
Of the ten-year fights between pro-
ducers and refners-between different
refiners-and If he looks back over the
last three months, he will observe q
desire Of many of these elements 70
Csc the food administration as a club
10 settle their long-standing bitterness.
"If Mr.. Spreckels will tell us where
there is any sugar to-day that Ship
can be obtained 20 carry or cars cau
be obtained 60 deliver - will be deiiv-
cred at once with the same resolution
that We have requisitioned or oistrb-
uted over sixty million pounds of en-
bargoed sugar since October l. In
the meantime, the 100000 tons Of sugar
in Java Is as remote as cheese out Of
the moon-unless we wish 20 take
bread ships from our own soldiers and
Allies to provide ourselves with CANDY"
The sugar investigation was resumed
to-day with the Senate committee re-
fusing 10 permit counsel for the food
administration 20 cross-eXamine any
witness. Chairman Reed said the COM
mittee would inquire into any phases
suggested by the food administration
or other officials.
Spreckels Tells Of Protest
Mr.. Spreckels. on resuming his testi-
mOny, said he had protested to Food
Administrator Hoover against includ-
ing rehners on the international COM
mittes, created By the food admins
tration 10 purchase all raw sugars for
refners. Spreekels declared yesterday
that actions Of the committee worked
against his firm and 10 the benefit of
the American Sugar Refining Company.
The State Department had a hand in
fixing the price OF S3.60 for raw Cuban
sugar 4. o. b. Cuba, but 10 what extent
was not brought out for diplomatic
reasons, II. Curtis Lindley. attorney for
The food administration stated.
Spreckels protested 10 Hoover that
the price was too high. notwithstanding
that he raised Cuban sugar. Tho
Cuban planters protested II was too
low.
Before the morning session ended,
Spreckels and President Babst, OF the
American Sugar Refining Company,
FLASHED over the antitrust suit
against the American.
Spreckels said Bobst last October
discussed with his competitors dissolu-
49,. - H. s-ft .,d ..La1 Cpvarke1r