Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-01-12


Refining Company and one Of the
American members Of the international
Sugar Committee.
No one ever dreamed that sugar
which the world produces in billions
Of pounds yearly. could become so
scarce that folks would be asked by
the Government and the sugar re-
liners 20 use 10 sparngy. But the
war (Which has brought about many
extraordinary conditions. also upset
The worlds sugar bowl.
Today everybody is interested in
sugar. The housewife Is eager 10
know when sugar will be- more plenti-
ful. And from different point Of
view. the business man is following
the sugar situation. Interested in the
success or the plan adopted as an
emergency war measure by the gov
ernments or the United states and the
Allies 20 regulate and control supply.
demand and price
These facts lend particular import
ance TO the following interview with
Earl 70. Babst head Of Che American
Sugar Refining Company. and one of
the three United states members Of
the International Sugar Committee.
Not so many years ago 10 wasn't the
popular custom for men in Mr. Bsbsts
position to discuss their business with
the public. But Mr. Babst is Of the
new school Of Big Business managers
who believes the public is entitled 90
know all about ii
In the interview Mr. Babst covered
every phase Of the sugar situation
First, he spoke Of the prospects Of
the immediate future. which most
concerns the housewife. said ne:
sugar viii soon be more plentiful.
with the new crop of sugar cane be-
ing harvested in Cuba and Porto Rico.
Everything is favorable 10 sufficient
supply for our needs, but not enough
10 use sugar eXiravagantly or waste
fully. There must be no overhuying
or boarding"
"And what about the nrlce?n he was
asked
Ordinarily the so-caled law or sup
ply and demand is a most important
factor in regulating the price of sugar
as Of every other commodity. But this
law has Dc n more or less. n not en-
tirely, suspended as the result of the
control Of the sugar situation by the
act OF six governments. including our
own
t "Au during the war sugar i'm the
United states has been lower in price.
taking the average yearly price. than
anywhere else I'm the world. Today
comparing sugar on the basis Of
/ caloric food value, 70 is one of the
| cheapest foods.
After the new supplies are received
/ from Cuba and rennei and prices are
/ lowered under the proposals Of the
food administration. sugar will be one
Of the cheapest. II not the cheapest
foods % go on the American table ID
+ Mr. Bahsr agreerF with Mr.. Hoover
that II the Aimed nations had not en-
tered into Joint agreement TO conserve
the available sugar supply the price
10 the consumer would have SCARED.
/ said he In explanation
"The facts are these Europe's pro-
duction Of sugar was not only greatly
curtailed when the opposing armies
swarmed over the sugar beet fields Of
northern France and Belgium. but
/ ENGLAND and other foreign countries
were forced % turn 20 other sources
for sugar The logical source was
Cuba, from which the United States
gets the bulk Of its cane sugar.
"This developed competition which.
until the international agreement was
reached, caused a serious advance in
price both Of raw and refined sugar.
But with the international committee
acting for the Allies and the food ad-
minlsiration I'm control In this country,
the supply will be equally distributed
and prices stabilized
Great quantities Of raw cane sugar
are locked up IN far-away Java. une
available because ships cannot be
spared to transport it, Hence the Eu-
ropean Allies are asking Cuba and the
United states as a practical patriotic
duty % supply them with sugar. The
United states Is making every EFFORT 20
comply with this request for the very
interesting reason that II We save the
/ Allies from the necessity Of Transporting
s00000 tons OF sugar from Java, it viii
release shipping sufficient to carry
about 10000 American soldiers 10
France"
When Mr. Babst Voluntarily appear
ed the other week before the Senate
subcommittee inquiring into the sugar
situation. he told what his company
as well as the other large refining in
terests were doing 70 safeguard the SUI
gar supply. Among other things he
laid emphasis on the value Of sugar in
packages as an economical means Of
distribution This especially interest
ed Senators Lodge. Jones and Narda-
man, aud the subject was brought up