National Republican., 1883-02-09
AGRICULTURAL.
The Statistical Enterprises OF the DepNrt-
ment--A Foreign Compliment.

ment-A Foreign Compliment.
The London RdiiGdy NeUs calls attention to
one of the features of tho work Of the depart
ment of agriculture, the collection and pub
lication of transportation rates for farm prod
ucts. 1t states that the report is designed
to convey full and complete analysis of the
ruling rates on all important railways in
every part of the United States. The tables
are divested of all intricacies with which
those issued by the companies are generally
surrounded. They are compiled in a man
ner to afford, in sufficient detail, tho desired
information of the cost of local traffic, as well
as airlines for through traffic to shipping
ports" It refers also TO the collection of
rates by steamer upon the Atlantic and Pacific
coast and by steamship lines to Liverpool. IT
commends tho utility of the work by which a
farmer in any section of the country can
compare the cost of reaching different mar
kets and learn from west bound freight rates
the cost of Obtaining fertilizers, implements,
aud other supplies from different points. 1t
concludes that "the arrangements thus inaugu-
rated maniiestly have q tendency TO show
that the way has been paved to enlist the
peoples confidence in an improved system of
management Tho praisewOrthy efforts on
tho part of tho United States government
need no comment. In giving this publicity
to the rates extant on all the lines of the inn
mense network, it teaches the European con-
tinent how to meet the difficulty over which
the delegates, some fifty in number, have
been, or are still, deliberatng at Buda Pesth.
The American system simplitics tho work to a
remarkable degree, to pave the way for the
introduction of u uniform system without CO.
ercing either tho public or the railroad COM
panies to submit to the red tapo of what is
pleasantly termed the vigilance of paternal
government"
This work has been undertaken in no spirit
of hostility TO railways, but to give useful
information to the farmer, which affects the
prices of his products, and therefore the pro-
ductiveness of his labor.
Itenables him to exercise choice ofmarkets
and calculate more closely margins of saving in
both buyingand selling. 1t showshim that the
cost of shipping by carloads or by trunk lines
having immense through business is less than
where small lots are sent, bulk broken and
transhipments made, by small feeders of
great lines. In this way farmers learn the
causes of reasonable differences in rates, and
if they should learn the status of unrcasona-
bic discrimination it would increase the possi-
bility of more just and liberal rates. In
formation of this sort Is q positive benefit to
railways as well as farmers, tending to in
crease domestic commerce and prevent mis-
takes of shippers
Another new feature of the statistical work
of the department. is attracting some atten-
tics of production and distribution as bear
upon American competition with European
agriculture. References to this work appear
i'll recent discussions of the London Statis-
tical society. The system of the department
is commended and its enterprise indorsed.
Investigation concerning area in wheat and
current prospects for lome supply, and cOnsc-
quently of probable deficiency to bo made
good largely by the United States, are in
progress The prices and qualities of agri-
cultural implements have recently been col
lected with reference to a comparison with
American prices and qualities. The result
will show why American implements go
abroad and find extensive sale in all the mar
kets of Europe.
The appointment of state agents by the de-
partment is intended to enlarge its facilities
for obtaining systematic and prompt informa-
tion, and by the aid of all these agencies it is
expected that statistical reports may acquire
greater accuracy and secure increasing popu-
lar confidence.