The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-07
Ever on the Lookout For the
Main Chance, it Lights
On the India Rubber Forests of
South America.
THE SENATOR'S PLAN
Is to Control the Rubber Pro-
ductiOn and Trade.
Has His Agent Appointed Min
lister to Colombia.

ST. Louis, July THE Post-Dispatch
prints the following from it's Washing
ton correspondent:
1t is a long straddle from Alaska to
South America, but there are statesmen
who can make il. The Post-Dispatch
has told the story of Elkins and the
seals. This is the story of Elkins and
rubber. Mr.. Ellxins has frequently had
st. Louis capital invested in his pro-
jects. It may figure in this transaction,
too. But to the story.
1t begins with the appointment of G.
Burdett Hart minister to the United
States of Colombia. His nomination
was secured by Senator Stephen B. FL
kinS of West Virginia on his represen-
tatiOn to the president that Mr. Hart
was the original Mckinley man of West
Virginia, and that his newspaper, the
Wheeling Intelligencer, was principal
ly responsible for the support given
Mr.. Mckinley by the West Virginia del
egation- Mr.. Harris confirmation was
effected with marvellous promptness
through the efforts of Senator Foraker,
to whom Senator ElkinS very clearly
demonstrated that Hart had always
been a pro-Foraker and anti-McKin-
ley man. Mr.. Hart was nominated
May &c, confirmed May 27, and hurried
to his destination with all possible
speed. There were number of similar
nominations made before Mr.. Harris
which were not confirmed until later.
Now for the motive for all this energy
and haste and political astuteness, CEN
tered as it was about a little, second
rate South American diplomat tic APP
pointment.
1t seems a far cry, but the extraordi-
nary increase in the manufacture of BIZ
cycles is at the very root of the mat
ter.
The manufacture of bicycle tires has
so increased the demand for crude rub
Der that the exports of that product
from Colombia alone have increased
nearly 40 per cent since 1895. The bus
mess of collecting this rubber has been
carried on in more or less primitive
way, and it is the mission of Senator
Elkins and his associates to substitute
a strictly up-to-date and guaranteed
big prof1t-producing method for the one
that has been in vogue ever since rub
Der was first recognized as a CONNER
cial commodity. The company is form
ed, the men are on the grounds, boats
are ready to collect the crude rubber
and all will be prepared to get in mo-
ton as soon as Minister Hart can reach
BOgOta, present his credentiaIs-aS rep
sentative of s. B. Elkins & Co., as we'll
as of the United States-set the official
switch and wave the flag for the Elkins
train to go ahead.
The rubber tree grows in the tropical
forests of all South Central American
countries; the swannpy lands along the
banks of rivers are best suited to it's
growth and conduce most largely to the
liberal production of the milky sap,
which when dried becomes the crude
rubber of commerce. This sap is COL
lected in much the same way as the
u.
is very primitive. The Elkins concern
proposes to change all that and do it
quickly. They have a steamboat of the
proper size and draught on the Mag
dalena river, the longest in Colombia
having port in that country, and as
soon as Mr.. Elkins' United States min
lister to Colombia assure them
against official interference they will
proceed to make a trip up that long
river and it's navigable tributaries. They
will call at every native village and
spread the information
native who knows where there is rub
Der to be had can tap the trees collect
the rubber, and when the steamer
makes its return trip it will be bought
from him at about the same price he
would get for it if he carried it on his
back the hundred or more miles to the
town which has heretofore been the
nearest place he could dispose of it.
Currency is not in great demand in
those Indian villages in the backwoods
OF South America and the little steam
er Will doubtless carry good supply of
Yankee stuffs dear to the Indian heart
Great will be the profits thereof to Ell
kins.
All this seems a fair and reasona b1e
proposition. But one who has that idea
over1oOkS the character of the South
American republic of commerce It is
easy enough to carry on business with
the merchants because that is export
trade direct, and you may be sure that
me merchan ts contribute a pro rata
Tor any privilege they enjoy. But when
IL is question of penetra ting the in
terror there will be two objections to
overcome. The most important one will
pc the innate and insuperable dislike of
the ordinary South American official to
permitting any person to make any
money with out dividing with him; the
second will be the united protest OF the
local business houses, which have been
making tremendous profits out of this
rubber, without risking a penny
RMS is where c. Burdett Hart, minis
ter OF the United States, is expected TO
earn his oats. The early summer is the
season for gathering the rubber and
that fact will account for the spasm
olsp!aEed IN getting Mr.. Harris appoint
Inent through, and his own hurry to get
ms post The president and ministers
OF most South American REPUBLICS QUE
their official position to their ability to
90 up the opposite faction and keen
them done up. The man that makes a
deal with these powers to do anything
can &c II, and if he doesn't make a deal
with them, they will see that he doesn't
make money at anything he attempts
The mercantile houses at Colombia
ports that deal in rubber will have 70
put up their toll to the local govern
inent any way in order to stay in bus
mess, so why not let a foreign CORPORA
ton subscribe to the fund for. ASSISTING
the escape of depcsed presidents by
granting q concession for the exclusive
right to navigate the rivers of Colon bia
for the PURPOSE of collecting rubber?
Then, when this application for a con-
ceSSion is backed by the minister. of tba
United States government. who lCnor-s
exactly what to do and what to saw to
legislators under such cir'cumst noes. it
countess receive very favora BILE
consldsratio This is the scheme and
II IS promising one, and come next
M chae1m9S Mr.. Elkins will probably
nave new counter fixed in his store
and can supply you with anything from
s~alskin sacks to rubber boots.
Educate Your Bowels with Casoarets.
oSand! Cathartic. cure constipation forever
AVc, 2oc. II c. @. @ fail. rueCiStS refund money