Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-21
PROTECTION TO FARMERS
New Secretary of Agriculture Hard at
Work for His Constituents.
AGGRESSIVE POLICY OF ADMINISTRATION
When New Meat Inspection Regula-
ions Are I'm Working order Press
sure VIII lie Brought to Bear
on Foreign Countries.

| WASHINGTON, March 2O.-Secretary OF
| Agriculture Wilson said today that as soon
as the beef certincation regulations which
| took effect on the 18th inst. got into regular
working order and we're properly understood
| by the shippers, the matter OF the treatment
| Of our agricultural products abroad would be
| taken up. There is still some little mis-
| understanding as to the beef certihcation,
some shippers furnishing a copy Of certificate
| where the original can not be secured, and
| there are minor deficiencies, but 1t is ex-
| pected to be working soon without these de-
| lays. That accomplished inquiries will be
| instituted through the State department as
| to the reasons for restrictions now being
| imposed and the report will be carefully con-
| sidered. Final action will hinge on the
| provisions OF the new tariff BILL but where
| satisfaction is not secured through that
measure the law granting the president au-
| thority to act in such cases. he said, doubt
| less would be taken advantage of and every
step possible resorted to by the government
| to protect the interests of those affected by
| foreign trade.
Colonel ]. II. Brigham, the incoming assist
| ant secretary of agriculture, in an interview
| expressed the opinion that the agricultural
I
| dent and congress and the department would
| thoroughly cooperate in the interests of the
| farmers. He said:
| SHOULD BE GROWN AT HOME.
| "The administration will in every way pos
| sible encourage the diversifcation of crops
| and make determined effort to secure the
| growing In the United States of everything
| needed here which 1t Is possible to raise
| We are now buying large quantities OF
| sugar, wool, eggs. hides, beans, barley, po-
| tatoes and other products while all these
| things and almost everything that we need
| for ourselves should be grown here.
| There Is too much overproduction of
corn and other products. If the farmers
enter on their policy of diversfcation they
will reduce these improbable big areas and
products and so avoid a surplus to bear down
| the market, and then they will get more for
| their cereals, ETC., than they get now. If
| this years crop were only one-half of what
| it is, there would be much more money for
| the farmer.
| "As to the foreign countries, IL they i'm
| pose restrictions to the detriment of our
agricultural interests they will undoubtedly
| be met with such retaliation by this country
| If they don't give the products of our country
show. they Will encounter similar condi-
tions here. That much is certain and
positive. This country will make a thorough
inspection of our meat products and there
will be no excuse for the claim that they
are not healthful as contended by foreign
governments. Germany especially Is doing
everything possible to protect its farmers
in this way, while the interests OF those of
England seem to be sacrificed by their gov
ernment. An effort will be made early to
adjust the matter of the restrictions now
imposed by Germany. This will be done
through amicable negotiations IL possible,
but that failing, retaliation will follow. The
president will make the agricultural interest
one Of the first things to be considered in
his administration and he will see that it is
properly protected and fostered. Whatever
our views are, we will not combat congress.
"The discovery of new and rare seeds will
be encouraged and their efficacy tried in
various climates, and the farmers properly
advised. We will furnish to the people
choice and rare seeds anyway, but whether to
distribute seeds generally is a matter for
congress to determine, and If that body
wants it done, the department will do it, and
whatever is provided for will be performed"
MUST HAVE REVENUE.
The report continues: Another impera-
tive duty resting on congress Is so to adjust
duties to secure needed revenue to carry on
the government will better protect in
dustries which have suffered the past three
years from unequal foreign competition and
from the consequent loss of purchasing
power of the masses of the people upon
which the demand for products and the pros
perity of every citizen depends.
THE feasibility of uniting on a tariff of
both revenue and protective qualities has
been amply demonstrated by the results OF
tho protective tariffs in force from 1861 to
1898, az which latter date the tariff of 1890
was practically nullifed by the revision on
a non-protectye basis. The working of the
wool and woolen schedule of the tariff of 1896
on protective basis and of the same
schedules in the tariff of 1894 on an anti-pro-
tective basis is exceedingly instructive on
this point"
Tho new wool and wooden schedule, 1t is
predicted, will restore the wool growing in
dustry to the farmers, revive manufacturing
and largely increase the revenue from that
source, which, because of the character OF
the fine goods imported under the tariff OF
1890, was practically derived from uxuries.
Concerning the sugar schedule, the report
says 1--WE have increased the duty from the
20 per cent ad valorem imposed by the pres
ent tariff on raw sugar to 1.G3 cents with
countervailing duty on all sugars equivalent
to the net export bounty paid by any country
in order to increase our revenue and at the
same time afford sufficient protection to en-
able our own farmers and planters to ulti-
mately produce what sugar we may require
for consumption. Our experience under the
tariff OF 1888 with specific duties On sugar
and under the present tariff, with ad valorem
duties. has convinced us, as 1t has the ad-
mlnistrators of the law and the sugar trade
generally, although refners dissent from
this view that specific duties are preferable
more easily and certainly administered and
absolutely essential to reliable revenue"
There Is then review OF various other
schedules In the bill the effect Of each
being described and commented upon at
some length. Only the most general com
early action on the bill