OCR Text |
Show BEET SUGAR SAFEGUARDS SUPPLY. During recent years 25 per cent of the sugar consumed in the United States has been obtained from domestic beet production. It has been aptly termed our "War ration of sugar" so that if our importations were cut off a limited supply would still be available. avail-able. This production of beet sugar has been encouraged and brought about by a tariff varying fro 1.34 to 1.60 cents per pound. Under production costs in the past this has enabled the American farmer and beet sugar producer to compete with the cheaper grown foreign product. The British Isles, long the home of free trade, are now levying a 5 cent duty to secure revenue and develop their beet sugar production. pro-duction. Our own Congress is considering a duty of 2 cents on impor-jtations impor-jtations from Cuba-to prevent our own beet sugar industry from ! being crushed out of existence by this cheap labor competition j which it cannot otherwise meet. ' The beet sugar industry is the life preserver which prevents us from being absolutely at the mercy of the foreign producer who could manipulate Sugar prices without the restraining influence of i domestic supply with which to compete. ' The value of the United States beet sugar production last j year exceeded one hundred million dollars figured at 5 cents a pound for fine granulated sugar. I The obvious advantage of having such a sum of money con- tinue to circulate here rather than in a foreign land is apparent. No sane citizen can countenance the destruction of even aj small industry engaged in producing an essential food product, i I |