The record-union., 1897-11-06
Weather Forecast.
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.

the University of Wisconsin, visited
the State of California at the invita-
ton of the Southern Pacific Company
for the purpose of prosecuting Inquiries
relating to new objects of cultivation.
After a careful examination of the linn
itations of our climate and the capaci-
ties of our SOIL Professor Henry re-
ported emphasizing the adaptability OF
California to the cultivation of sugar
beets. He showed that California could
produce all the sugar consumed in the
United States without missing the
acreage devoted to this culture from
other products, and also without di-
minishing their annual production. The
value of the importation on the basis
of the price for beet sugar in 1896 was
$S6,00O,O 900.
Senator Aldrich, in opening the de-
bate on the Dingley bill in the Senate,
declared that the United States con-
sumed 4,4OO, ,O000 900 pounds of sugar.
This has been variously stated at
2,0O0,0 600 tons, which would give exact
ly 1900, 100000 pounds. OF this vast
consumption the domestic production
has never exceeded 00,000. 900 pounds
in one year. At four cents per pouno,
sugar is worth $50 per ton; hence
1900, 900 tons is worth S16OOOO,000.
The statistical figures habitually used
in discussing this question are not
wholly consistent with themselves. The
most commonly accepted statement is
that the value of the importation is
500, 600 600 per annum. To arrive at
this figure some lower rate than four
cents per pound must be used. At four
cents per pound, the value of the su-
gar consumed in the United States IS
$160, 100000, while the value of the
domestic product is but $12 100000. Ac-
cepting the statement of the Chair
man of the Senate Finance Committee
as correct, we have this reduction: The
people of the United States consume
S160,OOO.0OO worth of sugar per annuln
with a domestic production Of $4,000
600.
According to the testimony of Pro-
fessor Henry, California is capable of
producing this entire value of $160, ,00O,-
600, and it is confronted in the incip-
iency of this great industry with the
question as to what it's whole future
shall be.
Some inquiry has been instituted as
to whether an apparatus costing an in
considerable sum, although entailing
by its use a higher cost in the reduc-
ton of the beets could not be profita-
bly, introduced. The answer obtained
from the manufacturer Of sugar is
always adverse to this statement. When
the question is asked whether a fac
tory costing not more than 100000
could be established to reduce beets
profltably, the answer has been in the
negative. Information on this head
does not even approximate accuracy.
If, however, sugar beet factories cost
ing not more than $4,000 or 100000
could be depended upon to reduce beets
SO as to confer upon the grower even
% per cent. of the great profit which in
ures to the manufacturer who estab-
fishes a mill with capacity of from
1,000 to 5000 tons per day, an industry
would be added to the list of those in
which the people of California could
engage which would make California
the richest State as we'll as the richest
region in the world.
This presents the question in its
general aspect, but, as has been the
case with all incipient industries Of
this State, the large return is promised
only to associated capital. California
is deficient in the cheap raw material
which constitutes the basis Of profita-
Bile manufactures. In the absence of
iron, coal and hardwood she may never
hope to compete with the countries
which possess these materials in
abundance. Beside this, we are very
remote from the populations consuming
manufactured wares, and the nearness
OF factory to the consumer Of its
wares is a potent element Of success.
The future density Of population IN
this State. therefore, depends upon
profitable field culture. Nothing that
has ever been presented to the people
of this State promises SO much of good
to the owners OF land and the tillers Of
the soil as the rising beet sugar indus
try. The Record Union" has asserted
and reaffirms Its profound conviction
that the industry itself will confer lit
tie or no benfit upon the people OF the
State of California if the .cultivators
OF its soil are to receive a rate which
viii merely insure the successive pro-
duct1on of crops, while the manufact-
urfng and merchandising side of the
account creates colossal fortunes in the
hands Of a few. We hold in utter con-
tempt all aspersion of our motive in ad-
equately discussing the obvious future
of this great question. We can afford
TO await the inevitable vindication OF
time
The~existing local aspect of this ques-
tion may be easily and briefly resolved
A proposition has been made TO fur
nssh the product of 10000 acres of beets
delivered at the factory at from 50 80 TO
81 per ton for a period Of five years
This proposition proceeds from associ
ated capital To our mind its fatal de.
feet resides in this fact. Beyond this.