The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-20
FARMERS STUDY THIS.

To the Editor of the Eagle.
Mr.. Wilson made a speech in London
not long since, and is now at home trying
to explain some ugly things he said to his
English admirers. The explanations are
worse, if possible, than the original speech.
While in England he made some inquiries
about the low price of wheat, and was
told that there is universal glut and
production beyond profitable demand, and
not only is the United States increasing
her surplus export of wheat, with Russia
doing likewise, but the Argentine Repub-
lie is coming forward, and is now third
in quantity exported to European mar
kets." And then Mr.. Wilson says: 81
can not but recall the fact that the Ameri-
can tax on the woods Of the Argentine Re-
public made them give up their sheep
walks and 90 into competition with you in
the production of wheat" This remark
able statement is one made TO his West
Virginia constituents. Let US study it,
First, Mr.. Wilson completely ignores the
sheep industry in this country. The infer
ence to be drawn from his statement
is that by making wool free we
will encourage the sheep industry
in the Argentine Republic and
presumably in all other foreign sheep rails
Jug countries, and that th ey will abandon
wheat culture ana return TO wool. This,
in itself, is plain admission that free
wool will not benefit our wool raisers, for
if it did, as the farmers have been prom
Used it would, the Argentine wheat raisers
would 90 right on raising wheat instead of
wool. The question to which we wish
to particularly call attention of farmers is
this: Why don't Mr.. Wilson devise some
plan to take our own surplus wheat rails
ers out Of that industry and let their ener-
gies be expended in some branch of indus
try where we do not have a surplus or
even enough? Why not encourage Amer
lean farmers to go into sheep raising in
stead OF adopting policy which Mr.. Viii
son says Will indnce Argentine farmers to
return to il. Then again, is it not only
possible but highly probable that the
American sheep raisers who will be
ruined by free wool will return to wheat
raising aud thus offset the effect of like
number of Argentine farmers abandoning
wheat raising by a return TO wool grow
ing? What else is left for them to do?
By adequate protection to wool the very
thing which Mr.. Wilson proposes to do
for the farmers OF Argentine could and
would be done for our own farmers. Let
Us see how. Our sheep are now in round
numbers about IS. 600 600. In 1892 they
would have been worth Sl25, O00, 900 The
wool clip of 1891, when we had 43, Geo. 900
sheep. was given BY the department of ag-
riculture at 2s5. co., 900 pounds. AT only 10
cents per pound II was worth SIS, 500 COO.
Now il we manufactured all orr wooleus
here as we should, this, il addition TO the
wool we already Consume, would create
demand for COS. 900, 900 pounds OF wool.
Allow that we already produce hal. that
we require, 1t is plain that by the proper
encouragement we would sooa have from
JOG. OO0, go to 40 O00, 000 sheep in this
country. This would make an industry in
this country that would rank among the
first. and would draw away both men and
land enough from wheat raising 10 almost
absorb our present surplus, If il did not
wholly wipe 1t out Is it not a little
singular that Nj. Wilson proposes 10 do
this very thing. but is II not still a little
more singular that be proposes 10 apply
this plan TO the interests OF a foreign
country By the protection accorded the
wool industry by the Mckinley law we
WgdtQ soon nave uctO producing the DuIA
Of the wools required for all purposes in
this country. Now would poor people
have had more 10 pay for their clothing il
this law lad continued : As an answer 10
that ask some free trader 10 cite in
stances. II he can, where they have had
10 pay or account OF that law. No, Mr.
Wilson, such sopbistry will not go. You
propose TO destroy an industry involving
more money, II developed 10 its full re
qutrements, than the entire wheat inter
ests Of the country, for the purpose, a. you
say, CT providing a market Tor the surplus
wheat which the very Interest you propose
10 destroy would absorb a good prices.
Ong entire wheat exports Tor ISll were
IOsi 0Gsl tso bushels IS Mr.. WGsoE says.
this must meet competition ia the markets
q the world from all great wheat raising
countries Why not presume our own
home market which consumes ever y. per
cent OF cur pgesspl PRODUCTIONS Q; agsiea.-