408 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



Tliat a natural inainifactnring process should ilnis supplant a grinding^ 

 monopoly should bo a matter of cougra tula t ion for our peoi)le. 



The sugar trust recognizes the danger, and within the week has an- 

 noum-ed a cut in ]irice ot refined sugars to .'ii/o cents a pound in all the 

 region where beet sugar comjieles with the trust sugai-. This reduc- 

 tion of more than 31 per cent in the i)rice of granulated sugar is sur- 

 prising, but it is a blow at an innocent rival, and not a concession to 

 the general consumer. If the ri>al is crushed the old ])rices will be 

 again imposed. 



AIMS OF Tin: SUGAR TULST. 



The sugar trust has not kept us in doubt about its aim and inn'pose. 

 In its recognized organ, the Sugar Trade Journal. October .'». it says 

 in explanation of the reduction of V^ cents a jjound on granulated 

 sugar: "The notable feature of this movement is that the quotation 

 of 3^2 cents is on a level with the parity of raw beet sugars on the 

 present basis, 3% cents for cane centrifugal sugar. In other words it 

 would seem that the refined sugar interests of the country feel com- 

 pelled to protect their interests to such an extent that the domestic 

 beet sugar industry may not make afiy larger i)rotits on the making 

 of refined than would come to them from the manufacture and sale of 

 raw sugar. We have always taken the position that the manufacture 

 of raw sugar for sale to refiners was the proper and legitimate busi- 

 ness of the beet sugar industry of the United States." 



The beet sugar manufacturers may make raw sugar for the refiners, 

 but must not make refined sugar to compete with the trust! .V legiti- 

 mate and profitable industry must cease at the demand of this monopoly. 

 "By what authority doest thou these things, and who gave thee this 

 authority?" 



If our people concede to the sugar trust the exclusive right to refine 

 sugar and adopt such measures by tariff changes or otheriwse as will 

 give the trust the control of raw sugars, then a merciless power has 

 seized the public by the throat. 



WHY Tin-: industry should rROSPER. 



1. It is the means by which the i>oo])le can subvert a huge monopoly. 



2. It is a legitimate industiy, brought to a marvelous degree of 

 perfection by American skill and ingenuity, and the people have a right 

 to its full benefits. 



3. The large amount of cajiital invested which deserves protection. 

 Thirteen sugar factories have been erected in (»ur State at a cost of 

 |!7,(MI(I,(M)0. Next year the number of factories will be increased to 

 twenty. There are now growing 00,000 acres of sugar beets in our 

 State.^ 



•4. It is the money-getting crop for our farmers. Last year there 

 were paid to Michigan farmers .f 1,500,000 for sugar beets. In Bay county 

 in 1900, mortgages on 51 farms were paid off by money received for 

 sugar beets. The jirice of farm lands near sugar factories has in- 

 creased by |5 to flO an acre. 



5. It is a home industry, and the benefits abide with our people. 



