The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-28
BESTEO TW|NE TRUST
Southern Kansas Farmers
Flood Congress With Letters
PORTS OF PHILIPPINES
Ordered Open for Shipment
of Manila Fiber.

An article IN the Eagle Of December
Is stated that the farmers of Southern
Kansas were kicking on the Irvine trust
and had organized a concerted effort to
induce congress to take action that
would relieve the grain growers before
harvest. The fact that binding Irvine
is 100 per cent higher now than at the
beginning of the year 1898, and the pros
pect that the price which was said to
be due to the closing of the Philippine
ports alarmed the farmers of the Sew
enth district and a movement was set on
foot to food congress with letters ask
ing the opening of Philippine ports to
allow the Importation to this country of
Manila fiber, the scarcity of which since
the beginning of the Philippine war is
responsible for the exorbitant figures at
which binding Irvine is selling now. The
following letter was sent in from thou
sand OF farmers in Southern Kansas
and Oklahoma, and the success of the
effort is shown by Congressman Longs
answer to D. w. Blaine of Pratt.
Pratt, Kan, Dec. 10, 1S9s.-Hon. Ches-
ter I. Long, Representative Seventh Con-
gressional District of Kansas, Washing
ton, D. C.-Dear Sir: Rumors have been
current for some time that certain cord
age manufacturers are working with the
view of preventing, If possible, any more
Manila fiber from reaching this country
until after the coming harvest. While 1
cannot vouch for the truth of the ru-
how he
price of binding Irvine has been advanc-
ed to an exorbitant figure.
I enclose a letter to Secretary Wilson,
of the Agricultural department, and ask
that you call to your assistance the 9TH
er members of congress from the state
and arrange to present my letter to Sec
rotary Wilson with such information as
you have, and urge the re-opening of the
Philippine ports with the least possible
delay.
Thousands Of letters from retail tmple-
ment dealers and farmers will begin
pouring into members of congress and
the different government departments at
Washington within the next few days.
The farmers are very much exercised
over the late advace in prices Of all
classes of manufactured articles, and
they are strenuously protesting that the
advances are not legitimate, but are at
tributed to trusts and combines.
Possibly there is not a single article
which creates such direct criticism as
the advance of fully 10 Oped cent in the
present price of binding Irvine over its
value in the early months of 1898. In
i ,oIo
have become thoroughly alarmed as to
the probability of further advances
which will undoubtedly be made before
harvest If we are not able to induce the
government to open the Philippine ports
within the next thirty days.
II the information as to the subjuga-
ton of the Philippines is correct there
is but little danger to be apprehended
in giving free outlet to the large
amount of hemp which is now ready for
shipment in the islands.
It is generally understood that very
little hemp is now in the hands Of the
original producers, and that the origi-
nal purchase money has already passed
into circulation land that in permitting
the shipment out of the hemp would in
no way financially help the natives, the
present holders of it being foreign i'm
porters and spectators.
My reason for calling on the secretary
of agriculture for bringing the matter
to the attention of the administration IS
that the agricultural classes are more
affected in the end than any other.
Several thousand implement dealers of
To- ri
braska and the Dakotas will meet in
annual convention during the first three
weeks Of January, and if the Philippine
ports are not opened for the shippig out
of Manila fiber before these conventions
meet there will be many urgent protests
sent to Washington charging the admin
istration with favoring and abetting the
Irvine manufacturers in their efforts TO
fleece the farmers, or at least to the
governments Indifference in the matter
Respectfully, D. W. BLAINE.
Following is the letter TO the score /
tary of agriculture mentioned:
Pratt, Kan. Dec. IS, 1S99.-Hon. James /
Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, Wash /
ington D. C-Dear Sir; 1t is currently /
reported that some Of the holders Of Ma !
Mia and Sisal fiber and a few of the /
leaders of the manufacture of rope, cord |
age and binding twine are quiently urg-
ing the United States government u /
keep the Philippine ports closed. and !
thus prevent the shipment of Manila |
hemp from the Philippines into this /
country in time for making binding /
Irvine for the coming harvest.
II they are able TO carry ont Their !
plans the farmers will be compelled 70 /
pay erorbitant prices for their binding |
During the past eighteen months bind /