New-York tribune., 1920-01-14
Sugar Shortage
Laid at Door
Of u. S. Board
Suppression of Agreement
With England Prevented
Home Protection, Says
President Of Brokers
500, 600 Tons for Britain
Product Was Not Withdrawn
Gradually, but in Lump,
When Demand Was Great

Responsibility for the sugar short
age was placed upon the United States
Sugar Equalization Board in an an
nual report of L.. B. V. Cameron, presi-
dent of the National Association of
Brokers in Refined Sugar made public
made yesterday 1T the annua, meet
ing of the organization, at 1V6 Wall
Street.
Mr.. Cameron charged that tie board
taiied to make public the actual terms
OF the contract between it and the
British Royal Commission. The part
of the contract made known, he said,
merely covered the ALLEGATION of one
third of the 1919 Cuban crop to Great
Britain.
He explained that England was sup
posed to carry away 100000 tons Of
refined sugar in equal monthly INSTALL
ments from January to November, 1919.
During the early part Of the year, he
said, large accumulations of this Brit
lsh owned sugar were reported in the
refiners' hands.
Britain Demands Entire Stock
The domestic demand at this time
was very limited" Mr.. Cameron said.
"Ihe large accumulated stocks deferred
wholesale dealers from buying ard car
rying extra stocks.
As the season advanced the Brit
Lii Eoya Comm ission requested post
nonements OF their early shipments due
10 lack of tonnage During the same
period the Equalization Board author
lzcd the encouragement of export busi-
ness, resulting in the placing of orders
for Shipment to all parts of the world
during the months of Nav, June and
July, 1919.
AT the very time when these sugars
were to be shipped to neutral countries,
the British Royal Commission made a
requisition for their entire accumu-
lated stocks.
Meanwhile the surplus stocks in
Jobbers' and manufacturers hands had
diminished and a true realization of
the Immediate needs of the country
presented itself. With the small-fruit
season near at hand, the demands in
creased until, with the statement given
out at length by the Board, the true
situation became known, that it would
be impossible for the refiners to take
care of the demands Of the British
Royal Commission, the shipments to
neutral countries and our own do
nest;c needs. Thon came the dcuge.
Results of Secrecy
The agreement relating to the ship
inents for the account of the British
Royal Commission had never been
published. The question naturally
arises: If this agreement had been
published by the United States Sugar
Equalization Board, would it not ap-
pear that large portion of the accum-
ulated stocks reported in refiners'
hands in the early part of the year
actually belonged to the British Royal
Commission? If this country had had
knowledge Of these facts, would not the
wholesale dealers and manufacturers
have protected themselves against an
impending shortage?"
Mr.. Cameron also criticized Federal
Food Administrator Arthur Williams
for failure to appeal to licensed brokers
offering large quantities Of non-eX-
istent sugar. Mr.. Cameron said that
.hese offers and the pursuit to their
soUrces further complicated The sit
uation.
Speaking after the meeting OF :hc
shortage, Mr.. Cameron said that 1t
wolld be more than month before a
normal supply Of sugar would be on
hand.
E. K. Sherburn, representing the NJ.
P. Leavitt Company, of Boston, which
has advertised the sale of 1OO-pound
lots Of sugar to New York consumers
at 1880, was told by Federal Food Ad-
ministrator Arthur Williams yesterday
that his company's plan would be op-
posed.
Mrs. Louise Reed Welzmiller, Deputy
Markets Commissioner, announced yes
terday that she would campaign against
a "combination sales" She said that
she would have Federal authorities
prosecute dealers found to be making
:; practice of forcing consumers to buy
4 large bill of goods to obtain little
sugar.