Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-12-15
SUGAR SHORTAGE
HOOVER BLAMED
President of Refining Company
Says He Was Not Counted
in on Conference.
THE ADMINISTRATOR BALKED
Wouldn't Permit Spreckels to
Purchase Cuban Supply
Says Witness.

WASHINGTON. Dee 14.-Blame
for the sugar shortage in the east was
charged to the food Administrations
fixed import price by Claus A. Speck
els, president of the Federal Sugar Re-
lining company. testifylng today be
fore thc senate investigating com
mittec. TTe testified that raw sugar
from Cuba was passing thru New
York for Canada, where refiners are
perpitted TO pay higher prices
Mr.. Spreckcls, who said his refinery
was closed because OF lack of sup
plies. also charged that Earl A. Babst
president OF the American Sugar Re-
filming company, and George NJ Rolph,
general manager OF the California :
HAWAIIAN Sugar Refining company, ir
their POSITIONS as agents OF the food
administration had been unduly active
IN getting raw supplies for the Ameri-
can company. Mr.. Babst is chairman
| NJ the International sugar COMMITTEES
created by the administration which
fixed the price TO be paid for raw
sugar from outside the United States
or its territories u. $500 a hundred
Mr. Holph Is head of the food admin
istration's sugar division and n mem
Der OF The international committee.
Blames Hoover.
When his supply was Getting low in
October, Mr.. SpreckeIs testified. he
asked Food Administrator Hoover
that he he allowed to pay more than
$3.50 for Cuban sugar. He put In evil
denee letter In which Mr.. Hoover
declined. saying SPECTATORS were hold
ms the sugar In Cuba for higher prices
and Tat the American standard price
would he maintained.
Nh. Spreckels told of protesting TO
Mr.. Hoover against the contract
whereby the American Sugar Refining
company was to obtain one hund-ed
thousand tons Of the Louisiana crop.
He said his company had not consid-
cred getting any Of that crop because
the food administration had fixed no
price and he was astounded to learn
OF the american company making the
contract after price OF $6.86 for the
louisiana product had been agreed
upon at conference participated In
by MIR. Rolph and Mr.. Babst.
When the shortage came into sight
in the east, the witness asserted, more
than one hundred thousand tons Of
raw sugar was held IT. the west, of
which the California Hawaiian conf
pony nclu rorty tnouSand tons. lie
, said he appealed to Mr.. Rolph to al
low some OF this to come east to keep
eastern refineries gofng but was In
formed II was necessary to keep the
supply In the west until the new Ha-
waiion crop came IN.
More Witnesses Called.
The witness said the retail price of
s7.2l for cranulated sugar at seaports
works hardship because his COM
paHy manufactures practically roth-
Ing but grenulated and brown.
whereas the American company spe-
cfalizes In granulated handled In
shapes. for which prices are not fixed.
Several witnesses have been sum-
moned by the committee. including 4.
II. 1amborn. q New York sugar
broker, who is expected to testify af-
ter Mr.. Spreckels concludes tomorrow.
The committee also Is charged with
investigating the coal situation. Sena-
tor Reed tonight telcgraphed to Gov
ernor Cox OF Ohio. where the shortage
has been acute. that II he had infor-
nation Of value his presence was de-
sired.