The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-01-16
Public Forum
THE SUGAR BEET QUESTION

ming to realize that for the last two
years beets have been delivered to
the factories at price much below
the real worth OF the crop.
The grower is beginning to realize
the fragrant injustice because during
the same period some of the factor
les have earned profits beyond all ex-
pectations.
Some have not only paid exorbitant
dividends in cash but have also dis
bursed stock dividends in liberal
amounts.
1t is time the farmers were aroused
and we believe from all reports the
farmers are aroused and fighting for
justice.
The Michigan, the Colorado, the
Montana and the Utah farmers have
taken up the fight against the sugar
trust for better prices for the crop,
and a more just consideration of the
manner of producing it.
We are glad to note several of tile
newspapers and farm magazines are
aiding the grower in this fight and
from reliable authority we are in
formed that the federal trade COM
mission has the whole subject of re
beet production and the sugar trust
under investigation.
Quoting from one farm magazine:
I'VE have worked for many years to
establish the domestic beet sugar in
dustry. We wish it to succeed, but
we are determined that growers shall
receive a fair share of the profits.
Factories must pay fair price Tor
beets or close up during 1917"
We also notice a statement editori-
ally in a farm paper that the grower
should receive at least fifty per cent
more for the 1917 crop than for beets
grown in 1916. Which would mean
in the neighbOrhood of $500 per ton
for beets grown in 1917 in the Twin
Falls country
Another statement says the grower
should not sign a contract for cent
less than $500 for twelve per cent
crop, with - 1-2 cents per ton adj
ditionaI for each one-half per ce 1t
of sugar content
The Great Western Sugar company
operating in Colorado and Montana,
have offered $3.50 per ton on sliding
scale.
The Utah growers under the lead
ership of the Utah State Farm bureau
and a committee OF farmers SUBMIT
ed certain requests which the farmers
are making in connection with the
handling of the 1917 beet crop at a
meeting represented by the Utah-Ida
no company, the Amalgamated Sugar
company and the Layton Factory at
what was termed a "get-to-gether"
meeting.
The farmers committee made the
following requests:
That they be allowed better un-
loading facilities.
That the farmer be allowed the
privilege of starting digging by the
first of October and continue as fast
as they desire.
That the farmers be given first con
sideration in buying pulp at the price
of 25 cents per ton.
That the sugar companies cooper
alter with the farmers, through their
state organizations in all questions
as shall be for their mutual benefit.
Among other requests a schedule
of beet prices delivered in 1917 at
higher price than ever paid before.
The sugar officials agreed to sub
NIT the matter to their boards OF III
rectors and give the farmers an an
swer as soon as possible.
At the close OF the conference all
present were agreed that in the past
there had been too much ill feeling
and misunderstanding between the
grower and the sugar companies and
that in the future their aim should be
in a spirit of fairness to both sides, to
cooperate and build, rather than mis-
understand and tear down.
Now right there is where the rut
comes. The sugar companies have
never shown any spirit of fairness
but to one side.
The beet contract as signed ny th'
grower will prove that statement con
clusively. We quote one paragraph
in part as follows:
1.-The sugar company shall at al
fbo ,.fxrf1o oP In,
the beets in order to obtain the quail
ity thereof, by its chemist and analy
be accepted as conclusive"
They agree to pay on a slidin
scale and the company do all Tn
sliding (In a spirit of fairness to tn
company
Now that we are together let u
talk this matter over and in a spiri
of fairness to (our confederates /
misery the growers in other state
let us take up the fight with them an
get a little nearer our share OF til
fruits of our labors.
Let us hope that as a result OF til
meeting in the rooms of the CONNER
cial club last Saturday we can secUI
a contract satisfactory and just to III
beet growers in regard to labor dunn
ing facilities and prices for the Gro
of 1917.
We have information from very r.
liable sources that our beets are NAL
ing about four sacks per ton and thf
the cost of making a sack of sugar
only twenty-eight cents.
Considering the wholesale price
sugar with the freight added frol