Oxford eagle., 1918-02-14

AAs anu IL was BnAtiy determined lll3t
the spread between the cost of raw
and the sale of refined cane sugar
should be limited TO s1.30 per hundred
pounds. The pre-war differential had
averaged about IS cents and increased
costs were found TO have been impos-
ed by the war in increased cost Of re
inning. losses. cost of bags. labor. insur-
ance, interest and other things. rather
more than cover the difference After
prolonged negotiations the refiners
were placed under agreement es'ab-
fishing these limits on October /. and
anything over this amount TO be agreed
extortionafe under the law.
in the course of these invextiga-
lions II was found by canvass Of the
Cuban producers that their sugar had.
during the first nine months Of the
past year. sold for an average of about
S4.24 per hundred Z o. b. Cuba, 10
which duty and freight added 10 the
refiDers' cost amount 10 about sS-65
per hundred The average sale price
of granulated by various refineries, &C
cording TO our investigation, was about
n
$1s4.
'Tn reducing the diTerential TO $50
there was a saving TO the public Of "a
cents per hundred. Had such diff
ferential been in use from the LIST OF
January. 1917. the public would have
saved In the first nine months Of the
year about s24 500 GOO"
Next Year.
With q view TO more efficient organ
ization Of the trade in imported sugars
next year two committees have been
formed by the food administration:
/. A committee comprising repre-
sentatives of all of the elements of
American cane refining groups. The
principal duty of this committee is to
divide the sugar imports pro rata to
their various capacities and see that
absolute justice is done to every 10
finer
z A committee comprising three rep
resentatives Of the English. French
and Italian governments two repre-
sentatives Of the American reffnerS.
with q member of the food administra-
/ ton. Only two of the committee have
arrived from Europe. but they repre-
sent the allied governments. The du-
/ ties Of this committee are to determine
the most economical sources from q
/ transport point of view of all the al
+ lies to arrange transport at uniform
F rates. TO distribute the foreign sugar
between the United States and allies.
I subject to the approval of the Amsri-
can. English. French and Italian gov
ernments
This committee. while holding strong
views as to the price TO be paid for
/ Cuban sugar. has not had the ftnsl
voice This voice has rested In the
governments concerned. together with
the Cuban government. and ! wish to
state emphatically that all of the gen.
tlemen concerned as good commercial
men have endeavored with the utmost
patience and skill TO secure a lower
I price. and their persistence has re-
f duced Cuban demands by Is cents per
hundred The price agreed upon is
about $40 per hundred pounds. T. o. b.
Cuba. or equal to about 50 duty paid
I New York
"This price should eventuate."
Mr.. Hoover said, .to about $3.50
per hundred for refined sugar from
the refiners at seaboard points or
should place sugar in the hands Of
the consumer at from eHa TO
cents per pound, depending upon
I locality and conditions Of trade. or
at from to cents below the
prices Of August last and from one
half TO q cent per pound cheaper
than today.
There In now an elimination OF
I speculation. extortionate profits. and
In the refining alone the American
I people viii save over 81. 900 Of
the refining charges last year. A part
Of these savings goes TO the Cuban,
Hawaiian. Porto RIcan and Louslanian
producer and part to the consumer.
Appeals to prejudice against the
food administration have been made
because the Cuban price s "a cents
above that of 1917. IL Is said in effect
7 luAl klt &uudlAs aAt NJ Oui A4tANt
that we could get sugar q cent lower.
We made exhaustive strdy of the cost
Of producing sugar In Cuba last year
through our own agents In Cuba. and
We nnd II averages Ss-3e. while many
producers are at q higher level We
found that an average profit Of al
least q cenf per pound was necessary
In order 20 maintain and stimulate
productions or that q minimum price Of
e4sT vas necessary. and even this
would sffre sGns producerx
The price ultimately agreed wzs 3
cents above thees egur~s. Or about one
nfth OF q cent per 5-Sand - sAs AE1ert-
can consumer. and more Than this
amount has been saved by eur redue-
taon In rehners' profits II we wish 70
sttne production In Cuba we could
take that course Just at the time Of all
times In our history when we want
production for ourselves and the al
lies- Further than that. the state de-
partment will assure you that such a