Evening journal., 1919-12-17
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER II, 1919.
WILSON RESPONSIBLE Fon SUGAR SHORTAGE.


TINE responsibility Of the sugar shortage and for the
high prices that will accompany any increase in the
supply chargeable directly the President personally
and to him alone.
In the course his Investigations into the sit
nation McNary OF Oregon chairman Of the sugar
subcommittee, has become convinced that there was no
med for the sugar famine to which the coun-
try has been subjected.
So long ago as August a the president Of the Sugar
Equalization Board Mr. zabriske, addressed letter to
MIR Wilson in which he urged the immediate purchase OF
the Cuban crop.
Accompanying that letter written communica-
son from representatives OF the Cuban planters rendering
TO this country "he entire wealth Of their production un
such terms may be agreed by the contracting
parties at price moderate but compensating TO the pro-
ducer and well within the economic reach Of tho con
sumer.r
Seven Of the eight members Of the board recommended
The acceptance OF that offer.
The letter reached the President and its receipt was
acknowledged.
No move having been made by the executive, the
Equalization Board him another letter under date OF
September 20 referring to their former communication
and calling attention to the imperative necessity" OF
early action If the United states to acquire the Cuban
crop before its acquisition by foreign buyers.
That letter also was acknowledged this time by the
Presidents secretary but s nothing was done nor has
anything been done by Mr. Wilson to give the American
people tne Deneul OF uuee supply VI 9uoo Si"o y"
our very doors.
The consumption Of sugar in the United States is about
100000 tons per annum.
An Increase OF cent pound means an additional
expenditure by the public sOOOOOO and added cost
OF ten cents pound tax the people OF $780,
OO)O0O.
senator McNary believes that had the President seen
M 10 adopt the recommendations OF the seven members
of the Equalization Board instead Of following the advice
of the one dissenting member the people would not only
have received sufficient supply OF sugar, but would
have been saved hundreds Of millions Of dollars on the
price.
General Palmer true to his partisan prompt
mss undertakes 10 put the blame for the shortage upon
the Republican Congress- claiming that he had been de-
MED both the power and the facilities for obtaining
tangible results"
Mr. McNary contends that that charge is far from the
truth The facts are that the President, through the
Equalization Board possessed Of ample authority to
acquire the Cuban sugar crop He also commanded the
funds with which TO make the purchase, consisting Of an
original appropriation from the Presidents emergency
fund Of 50 100000 plus about s3OOO0OO profit made on
the purchase and sale Of last years crop
The board however could go further than make
iis recommendations.
II is an incorporated body with the stock all owned by
the President and is the vote Of that stock that con-
trols the policy Of the Board Of Directors.
The question whether the people were to have the
benefit Of the huge reservoir Of sugar in Cuba was put up
10 Mr. Wilson squarely and without reservation He chose
TO take action
The result has the acquisition OF the Cuban crop
by other nations, and sugar famine In this country