The leader., 1899-02-15
CORN AT THE PARIS FAIR.
A Project Afoot to Boom the Ameri-
can Product at the Coming
Exposition.

The National Business league is to
hin hands with the American Maize
rronapanda in an effort TO make dis
NAV Of this cereal at the Paris expos-
lion such as will acquaint the world
with its value as food product The
anpropriation by the national govern.
ment of $4,000 for display of the ag-
ricultural resources of this country
at the exposition will be wholly made
ouate. it is thought, to even attempt
the practical showing which 1t is felt
corn must have if it is to receive any
benefit from the opportunity which
,be exposition offers. For this reason
the secretary of the National Business
league has been instructed to write
every member of congress and to the
secretary of agriculture urging a fur
ther appropriaton in tits direction. 1t
Is also proposed to ask the states en-
hraced in the corn belt of the country
to make appropriations, and bill APP
propriating $4,000 has already been
introduced in the Illinois legislature.
The proposton, which originated with
the Maize propaganda, and which has
been ndorsed by the Business league,
is, among other things, to maintain at
the Paris exposition corn kitchen,
where the uses and adaptability of corn
as food product will be practically
demonstrated.
committee of the Maize propaganda
laid the matter before Commissioner
General Peck some time ago, and re-
quested that space be set apart in the
American division of the agricultural
department for the corn kitchen" Mr..
Peck agreed with the arguments adj
vanced by the committee as 10 the good
results likely to come from display
Of corn products, and agreed to set
apart space 4Ox10 feet in the agri-
cultural pavilion for the kitchen.
The question of what help the gov
eminent would give came up for discus
sion, and Mr.. Peck stated that mas
much as only $4,000 had been appro-
priated for the entire agricultural dis
play. it would hardly be possible to de-
vote the sum required for the display
outlined by the committee. 1t was
promised however, to do everything
possible to make an adequate display of
corn.
The Maize propaganda also has un-
der consideration the erection of corn
palace at the exposition, and already
elaborate designs have been suggested
in that direction. just what will be
done in this particular depends upon
the amount of money available. but il
is the belief of the officers of the prop
uganda that it will be constructed.
The propaganda has just issued a
short address on this subject, which ii
terms "A Practical Plan to Teach the
World to Eat Corn" and which appeals
especially to the corn states for help
1t says, after reciting the inadequacy
OF the national government appropria-
ton and the duty of the corn states:
Money so spent will return hun
dredfold in the advance in the price of
Helr greatest product. If the six great
corn states would devote one-tenth OF
enc per cent. of the annual value of
their present corn crop for single
year to the effort to find foreign mar
het for our surplus product it would
De returned an hundredfold in the in
creased taxable value of their farm
lands"
1t is estimated that $3.50, 900 could be
easily raised in this way. and it is sug-
ses'ed that the governors of each of the
states of Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa.
Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska appoint
commission of three members, which
VIII form joint corn belt commission,
which should proceed at once to formu-
ia,e plans for the Paris exposition,
si'er which educational work should be
carried on in northern Europe, China,
'apan' the Philippines, and in every
country where the food problem is
pressing for solution.
such commission. properly organ
,Aeu' continues the address, land hav-
ing moderate funds for economical adj
nihistration will do more to establish
permanent prosperity for American ag-
eui'ure than any legislation, state or
Aauohai, that can be devised"
alter calling attention to the excel
sn. results which have been accom-
pushed through well-directed efforts
!" pace corn abroad and the increase
- exports from 10000, 900 bushels per
sanum to more than 10000. 900 bush
e's' The address says:
create a foreign demand large
enough to absorb all of our surplus
sso'e requirements, and the American
.aimer will have Accent corn. One
n' bushel added to the price of a
a@o ,niai corn crop would mean $50, 000.-
A. AIDED to the annual income OF
ef'can corn growers. On the basis
sao recent production it would mean 81,
,S0ouo added to the annual income of
~ rs farmers of Indiana, $4,000, 900 to
,a muse OF Illinois, $4,000 to those OF
iva iva, sl5Oo,ooo to those Of Missouri.
.r.soooo to those of Kansas, and
on,0oo'ooo to those Of Nebraska.
M cent a bushel means $40, 900.-
~ added to the yearly incomes OF
ES.a 'afmers of six states."-Ch Chicago