Restitution by the Sugar Trust.
In a test suit brought by the government, the American Sugar Refining Company (or sugar trust) was recently found guilty of defrauding the Treasury by a device attached to the scales which determined the weight of the company's imported raw sugar, on which duties are paid. The penalty fixed by the verdict in that suit was $134,116. The government at once set out to collect from the sugar trust about $2,250,000 more, alleging that the Treasury had been defrauded of this sum, at least, by the false weighing of cargoes not involved in the suit which we have mentioned. On the 29th, the sugar trust practically admitted the justice of the charge and settled with the government by paying $2,269,897 in cash, this sum including the $134,116 awarded in the suit that was tried. This payment was made by advice of the trust's counsel. It appears from the statement of these attorneys that there was a prospect that the government's claim would be raised to $3,000,000, and that proceedings for forfeiture of the sugar fraudulently weighed would have increased greatly the sum to be paid. The trust abandons its protest and gives up its right to appeal. This settlement has been approved by the Attorney-General and the Secretary of the Treasury. It does not, however, restrain the government from prosecuting criminally the officers of the trust, or the employees, who were guilty of these frauds. They will be prosecuted vigorously, it is asserted, by attorneys representing the government, and earnest efforts to bring them to justice will be made. The same company, or trust, has been sued by the City of New York for taking water from the public mains by means of pipes running into the refineries and having no meters attached. It has offered to settle by the payment of a sum which the city authorities will not accept. They demand $230,000.—The Independent.