The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-16
MIR. WERB,S PAPER.

One OF the best papers read at the recent
immigration convention was that OF c. l..
Webb Of Seattle. Il was not picture OF
the glories OF our climate. nor an aesthetic
essay on the beauties OF our scenery, but
rather a plain statement of cold, hard
business facts. 1t was not so much proph-
esy of the future a recapitulation or ac-
complishments in the past, so presented as
to give every one an opportunity TO draw
his own conclusions. IL was business
mans report OF the progress made in GER
tain lines OF industry during the past four
years. and In this instance facts and fig
ures were eloquent, as well as irrefutable
The truth announced was that in four
years time and during a period of almost
universal depression the state of Washing
ton has, so far as certain products are con-
cerned, grown from an importing 10 a self
supporting. IL not an exporting common
wealth Great staples which at the begin
ming of this decade had TO be purchased IN
other states are now raised at home. Our
own natural advantages have been utilized,
with the result that new industries have
been built up which keep money at homo.
furnish employment for our own people,
add an air OF comfort and solidity TO the
community and represent great source Of
wealth to the whole state.
Mr.. Webb spoke especially of the growth
OF our dairy interests. and while everybody
NAV hardly hook with the same confidence
that he does TO Its becoming in time more
important than our numbering industry,
stiil the marvellous expansion OF the cream
cry business in many states may perhaps
warrant the making Of extremely glowing
predictions for its future development N
Washington. What has been done in other
localities can be done here. An instance
was cited OF an Iowa county which twenty
years ago raised nothing but wheat and
yet where everybody was poor. with tnat
grain bringing a fair price In 1873 there
was realized from the dairy products OF
that same county million dollars. The
same sort OF a revolution has occurred all
over the state of Iowa. and the dairy in
terest ia now a most important one. Last
year there were only four counties in the
state which were without ereameries. There
were IA In the state and their butter prod
ucts brought In over 100000.
According to Mr.. Webb. the growth OF
our dairy establishments should be rapid
and profitable. But there are other lines In
which there can easily be an equally pro-
nouneed expansion, and it is along the
same lines OF utilizing our own resources
and becoming exporters instead OF import
ers. Already We are selling hogs and not
buying them. and instead OF looking TO
outsiders We are beginning TO supply our
selves with -four. oats, eggs. fish, green ard
dried fruits. potatoes. peas, beans and other
food products for the supply OF which this
state is peculiarly we'll adapted. There
were no "lfs' and "ands' in MIR. Web5's
talk. II was a showing OF actual results
and possible opportunities. His account of
what We have done In the past should lead
people to consider what they can DO in the
future, and "A great appreciation OF what is
easily within our grasp ought 10 be followed
by a very encouraging development in all
those Industries devoted 10 the production
Of food supplies.