Evening star., 1926-11-12
AMERICANS AVOID
SUGAR RESTRICTION
Growers of U. S. Feel That
There Is Demand for All
They Can Raise.
Bv j. C. ROYLE.

special Dispatch to The star.
NEW YORK, November 12.-Sugar
producers of the United States VIII
take no par. whatever in any inter
national conference for restriction OF
world sugar output Domestic pro-
ducers made that absolutely plain TO-
day, ard representatives of the plant.
ers and grinders Of Porto Rico. Hawaii
and the Philippine Islands asserted
this determination applied to them
as we'll
This is the answer to the domestic
producers of cane and beet sugars to
the proposal urged by Cuban plant
ers. 1t has been announced Presi'
dent Michado will call such con-
ference and the prospect for such
a conference has been reported from
London. The domestic producers as
serted thew would enter no confer
ence for the purpose OF restricting
production and Furthermore would
enter no agreement to restrict out
island possessions.
Hold Cuba Oily to Blame.
The domestic producers say plainly
Cuba has only herself to blame for
her present overheavy crops. Pro-
duction in the island has grown by
leaps and bounds. Whereas, the
Cuban production was 3.936.000 tons
in 1921. it jumped to 5.126.000 tons in
1928. Despite the damage done by
the hurricane In Cuba last month
there is a good prospect that the out
put II unrestricted will approximate
100000 tons.
On the other hand, beet sugar pro.
duction has dropped from 2,041 900
tons in 1921 to $4,000 tons in 1928.
The present crop, which Is now in
process of slicing. has been damaged
by unfavorable weather in numerous
sections. The domestic cane crop has
fallen steadily since 1921. until this
year 1t was the smallest ever pro-
duced. Planters do not expect 1t to
exceed $4,000 tons. The Hawaiian
crop was a record breaker this year,
however. and the industry in Porto
Rico and the Philippine Islands is
growing.
With all the sugar available from
domestic sources, however. this coun.
try still fails to produce ANYTHING like
its consumptive requirements. Con.
sumption has been growing steadily
and in 1925 distribution amounted to
about 107 pounds of sugar per inhab-
3tant. This will be exceeded this year,
1t Is practically certain, in view of
the large fruit crops and demands for
canning and preserving purposes.
Won't Cut Production.
Domestic producers say they Ger.
tainlv will not agree to any curtail.
nlent Of production until they are at
least producing enough for home re.
quirements.
OF the Cuban crop about $500 .00O
tons will come to the United States.
In putting this on American markets
Cuba has the advantage Of tariff
differential of "a cents a hundred
pounds over the producers Of full duty
sugars. The Cuban Congress has given
President Michado authority to limit
the size of the next two crops, but
the Cuban planters are cIamoring for
others to reduce instead. Domestic
sugar men say that If the tariff Is
still further reduced in Cuba's favor
or IL Cuba restricts production the
only protection against price domina-
ton of the American markets would
be the domestic supply. which always
exerts stabilizing and restraining
effect on prices when it comes on the
marke+ in the Fall.
Even without restriction Of any
sort, the price Of sugar is likely to ad.
vance. The European beet production
this year will show a drop of 5 per
cent or over. There Is unlikely to be
a world surplus, while the normal in
crease Of consumption is estimated at
around 100000 tons a year.