Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-30
OOOt1VIOO % 6VVN
Result Of Commissioner Hermann's
Extended Trip West.
PRESENT CONDITIONS ENCOURAGING
Increase of the Fruit Industry on
the Pacific Slope.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS
PRESENT CONDITIONS ENCOURAGING
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

North Dakota, Minnesota, wisconsin ii.
| linois. Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and
Maryland. and has had exceptional oppor.
tunities to observe the business condf-
lions everywhere he has gone. Most of the
SIX weeks of his trip was spent in an off,
cial investigation of the United States
surveyors generals offices. United States
| land offices. and in consultation with ex-
aminers Of United States surveys. and gen.
eral agents Of the Interior Department.
He paid particular attention to the opera
ton Of the recent act of Congress giving
the forest reservations to the United States.
and numerous means for the protection of
these forest reserves were suggested to
him and have been embodied in his rec
concentrations to Congress, which are now
In the hands of the Secretary of the Inter-
Tor.
Star reporter talked to Mr. Hermann
today regarding his observations on the
business condition of the west and the
recommendations he will make to Con-
gress for the further protection Of the
forest reserves.
Changes In q Year.
During my trip" said Mr.. Hermann, II
noticed a marked difference in conditions
over the conditions that prevailed a year
ago. when I went over the same ground.
The Industrial condition has changed rad
ically. Agriculture especially has received
great stimulation within the past few
months. The price of agricultural pro-
ducts are 100 per cent in excess OF those of
the previous year. The wheat crop has not
only yielded bountifully in comparison TO
other years, but the price of wheat is
double that Of last year. California par
ticulariy will be great beneficiary of this
increased price and increased yield.
The Fruit Crop.
sympathy with the increased price of
wheat. Fruit upon the Pacific coast Is this
year meeting a remunerative market. With
in the past few years the prune industry
has been of great interest to several of the
states of the Pacific; to such an extent,
indeed. that during the present year orders
have been received by many of the prune
growers for shipments to Europe. One
Slipper In southern Oregon received an or
der for twenty car loads Of dried prunes to
be shipped direct to New York and thence
to Europe This Is a reversal of the traf-
nc OF this character, as formerly the prune
ranked as an import to this country rather
than an export.
The citrous fruits of California are
shown to be very much more valuable to
the growers since the passage of the tariff
bill increasing the duty upon such products.
Another industry which seems to be greatly
stimulated, not only throughout the Pacific
coast section. but in many of the states
east of the Rocky mountains, is that of the
sugar beet product. Farmers are everywhere
studying the economic side of this ques-
ton, and those who have engaged in the
sugar beet culture are showing that it will
Yield handsome profit. 1t has been shown
to be an industry which returns larger
profit than any other which pertains to the
cultivation of the soil. Our climate has
been demonstrated to be advantageous to
the beet growth, and many portions of our
Union contain vast areas of soil especially
valuable for the growth of that product.
In view Of the fact that over $780, 600 600
annually sent abroad for the purchase
of sugar for our home consumption, this
industry is now securing ccmmendable at
tention among our people.
Revival In the Lumber Industrfes
II also discovered a great revival in the
lumber industries. This is particularly an
parent among the manufacturing and great
milling concerns east of the Rocky noun
tains. especially in Minnesota, Wisconsin
and Michigan. A great stimulus has also
been given the wool-growing industry, a
large part of the country through which
I passed containing vast flocks of sheep.
and 1 discovered great interest in this
industry. Everywhere wool growers are in
creasing their fiocks and improving the
quality of the sheep and the wool.
The mining of the precious metals has
never before been so actively prosecuted,
as discovered in passing through the min
eral belt Of our Union. The increase of the
last year has been very much in excess of
that OF previous years on the Pacific coast
and in many Of the inner mountain states
Great attention is directed to the Alaskan
gold fields, and a large proportion of the
population on the Pacific coast has awaited
itself Of this opportunity to go to our
northwest territory. Another effect Of the
Alaskan gold discoveries is the quickened
commercial prosperity which is to be found
IN the larger towns and cities upon the
Pacific coast Manufacturing products, as
well as the products of the farm, are con-
stantly being called for from Alaska and
large shipments are being made direct to
the Yukon. Thousands of horses have been
chandise across the difficult pass of the
Chilkoot and via the White pass. Already
the banks and wholesale dealers are the re-
cipients Of large remittances in the form OF
gold. nuggets and dust, all of which Is a
forcible reminder Of the truth of the re-
ports which have come to us of the fabu-
lcus yield OF that precious metal in the
Alaskan territory. The Interior Depart
ment has done much within the last few
months toward accommodating the people
who have taken part in the rush to the
Alaskan district through its recommenda-
items to Congress for the establishment of
land districts and Offices of the United
States surveyor general All Of these ac-
commodations have Tow been secured, and
much convenience will be experienced by
the people Of that remote land in conse-
quence."
Good Busfness Outlook.
'How did you find people feeling In re-
gard to the business outlook Of the fu-
ture?" Mr.. Hermann was asked.
Everywhere discovered an encouraged
feeling among the people. and many under
takings are now being considered which
were found to be impracticable a few years
ago because Of the depression in business
conditions. predict general resurrection
of business Throughout our country by rea-
son of the splendid condition which now
cenfronts us. While much of this encour-
aging prospect may be said to be due to
natural conditions. yet at the same time
a great aid has apparently been given to |
business by the restoration of confidence |
through the legislation enacted by the last |
Congress In the form Of a protective tariff |
upon foreign imports, which has not only |
stimulated products Of the factories, but |
OF the farms az we'll"
did your trip result in suggestions of /
to Congress regarding the 1
public lands?' the reporter asked
"As a result Of my observations during /
this trip there will he presented to Con-
gress In my annual report which Is now
before the Secretary of the Interior recon-
for the better protection and |
of the forest area and for In
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