The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-17
A BONUS FOR FLAX.
Or. Thornton Points Out Way TO
start the Industry.

To the Editor: The state OF Washing
ton. especially Ia It's Western portion.
contains vast areas emIneatIy ADAPTED 10
the production OF the highest quality OF
fax fiber. In fact. equal to any region IN
Europe. In those European regions the
fax crop Is diminishing year by year.
The value OF fax fiber runs al the way
from slSo 10 500 per ton. according 10
quality. and the splnners can not procure
enough for their Own requirements N kA-
rope and are looking with anxious eyes
10 The possibility of a new source or sup
ply being opened in the state OF WASH
sngton, as they are aware that our ch-
matte conditions IN this state and IN part
OF Oregon are such as exist IN no other
portion OF the United States. and are
specially adapted 20 the production OF the
finest grades OF fiber.
The fax fiber product in Europe in 1880
was OF go tons. Of which Russia pro-
eucea two-thiris. or 90. oca 600 pounds, and
Ireland only 4oea.ns0 pounds The Rus
sian crop has been steadily declining since
then, and In any case consists only OF
low grade aber, while Ireland requires 10
import several million dollars worth OF
fiber more than she can produce herself,
and our American fax Spinners Import
all the fax fiber they use from Europe
ard Canaaa-every pound Of which could
be produced In the state OF Washingi sn,
DGSE3e5 gAFSS surplus u lAhI AAAitN%
grades for export to Europe, ana pFlns
millions OF dollars into our STATE.
II may be well TO mention here that
while in 1853 there were 24I, ia pounds OF
fax fiber reported 10 have been produced
In that year in the United States. Il must
be remembered that nearly all Of that tihc-
was Of low grade. united for fine goods.
and should more properly be eiassed as a
quality OF TOW.
X Is an established fact that whenever
the climatic and other conditions exist for
the production of the finer grades OF lax
hbor. tbs fiber industry becomes the LEAD
ing one IA such locality; for such favor
able conditions are limited TO a very re-
strictcd region OF the world. chiefly en-
hracirg Northrrn Europe and Northwest
ern United States. This fact IS illustrated
tn the case OF Ireland Belgium and Rus
ssa. Yet in order to start the Industry in
those countries the fostering care and aid
OF the severa! European governments IN
terested was needful In the shape of
bonuses.
II IS also a fact concerning the fiber In
dustry that the farmer cannot enter upon
fax culture Tor fiber until the industry Is
established or a local market existing
where he can dispose OF his fax straw or
fiber IN small quantities. Nor will the
capitalist establish mills 10 use the fax
until be Is satisfied as 20 supply and profit.
consequently there ts a kind OF deadlock
right az the start This deadlock can b.
removed by he passage by our legislature
OF a Tax bounty bill. allowing a small
bounty foe a limited term for al fax aber
OF suitable standard produced IN this state
from lax Grown exclusively I'm this state;
say cents per pound. limited 20 a certain
number OK pounds TO each producer IN
earh year during the term for which a
Nounry is cr0otea
thai s'lch legislation would be specially
fer the benefit o. the large capitalists.
on the contrary * wou.d be OF even
greater Importance 20 fhe small farmer
There are III cur state thousands OF Euro
poaas from ire aEx-Erowing districts
WHO know hoy % prepare Tax fiber ard
@in uy hand labor. without very much
outlay an1 Wllh tire resources q an or
eAnary farm. produce or manufacture
forty pounds q longtime aAer In a sav
per man Also their children can be en-
ploE 90 IN the house or barn during uret Or
tie 8ays n such work Were n bot4r4y 81
sag . cents a pound granret Tor three or
Nv years. al those men would start IN
20 tas Work AID pro4uce ore tvo. five or
ten acres % Eher FAX each n first e.
tah.isalng a new ard valuable stBpfe for
sx0ort from our stale and bringing Euro
pesa dollars into the country No only
50. b4t as soon as 8 source OF SUNNY "a
assured. linen mills. Irvine ard thread
rIz,s. Oh NILS. lace fActoriss an4 a tbos,-
san3 ard cne sE-ksssry1aas Industries would
be established ~ large capitalists in cur
SAFE a. fhe manufacture wsu afvnvs
gst as Dear chs source ef susufv a. rossf-
b.s- our population W0UiB Increase. While
cor taxes woa8 grew proportional tsly.
Mere and more land would hA cleared
and opened u9 and TIRE stream OF wealth
ho@.rS INTO cur STATE enlarged beyond
ce4cepl oa. Tejs subject - entirely fr ms
tTtAg and altogether free fron r,offf5es ara
f0r the best Interests of our sra.e. rerar7a-
Jess of Republican, Deuocrasae or Popfs-
lists, laan-uEs, free sFaae or protection.
so4u4 money or free cosuzze. ars on3v re-
CelFes tae formation of pab.sc Interest
~ ora5r taAt wann our legislature meets
ts.s faI car senators ard rearsssus srtyas
Wf5 Euo@ tssae fha ruha- ia Behind .he-s
= Sgppovt u tse movement
A ". THORNTON