New-York tribune., 1919-10-21
Twenty Shiploads
OF Sugar Held Up
BY Harbor Strike
Some Refineries Virtually
Are Idle. Says Williams;
Crisis Is Passed, but Dan.
ger Is Not Entirely Over

The local sugar situation was de
scribed yesterday as being improved
Arthur Williams. Federal Food Admin
istrator, and George a. Zabriskie
chairman ot the Sugar EQUALIZATION
Board, announced tha. several retin.
cries which have been virtually idl,
because OF the longshoremen's strike
were working almost to capacity.
For ten days, while the public has
been ciamoring for sugar, twenty boat.
loads nave been resting untouched be
cause Of the strike. Nh. Williams said
Since Saturday. BY various cxpc-
dlents, substantial part Of this sugar
has been moved. One refinery in
Brooklyn which seemed in danger OF
being forced TO close because Of the
lack OF raw sugar. worked throughout
Sunday, grinding 1000 tons. The same
amount was refined Yesterday
Both Mr. Williams ana Henry F. Cos
teilo, chairman OF the raw sugar divi-
sion CT Che Equilization Board said
they thought the crisis was being
passed, but danger Of q sugar famine
mad by nc means been avcrtcd.
Some Wholesalers Holding
Ny. Williams announced he had
learned several wholesalers were hold
L,
fusing to sell except TO dealers who
would agree to purchase other COM
modities aiso.
The Fair Price Committee" Mr..
Williams said last night. "regrets to
find that grocers are Offering to sell
sugar at the usual price but are re
questing' that other items of food be
included in the sugar order. While
the reques. is not Il demand. il is
equivalent 10 it and is creating d good
deal of adverse feeling. The con-
mittee urges jhat wholesalers as we'll
Is retailers sell any sugar they have
to sell without either demanding or re
questing these combination orders.
wholesalers need rot sell suga. .
70 other than their known customers
unless they so desire. Sales should
De made at the price fixed by the
Sugar Equalization Board without di-
rectiy or Indirectly asking other or
dcrs as considera ton
When asked what he would do 70
secure an enforcement of his order
20 wholesalers, he said he would have
their sugar supplies cut off if it were
disregarded.
Candy and Soft Drink Men Frantic
A. ?. Williams. chairman Of the Fair
liNc tpNlHlltee SuD-cOnTnlttce OF
wholesalers. said yesterday candy and
soda water manufacturers have been
appealing frantically for sugar, which
cannot be supplied. He told Food Ad-
ministrator Williams several manu-
facturers have been forced virtually to
shut their plants because of inability
TO get sugar. 4 numbe of dealers Wis
tied the Food Administrator yesterday,
asking for sugar 10 keep their bust
nesses going.
Mr.. Costello said New York City con-
snmers should limit themselves TO one
pound OF sugar a week until the stua-
tion is relieved. He stated that. while
the emergency beet supply diverted
here soon will be available, New York
will not have more than $4,000 900
pounds month. Four pounds for each
person would take half Of this supply,
he said, leaving the remainder to be
allocated to manufacturers.
Mr.. Costello denied the truth OF state
ments that large quantities of candy
and sugar were being shipped abroad