The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-21
MEAT INSPECTION BILL
Possible That the German Reich
stag May Take Some Action.
THE AGRARIAN MOVEMENT
1t Is Very Strong and Is Taking Account
OF the Sugar Interests-Why the
United States should Favor
the German Producer.

Washington. Aug. 20.-Baron Won
Herman, agricultural expert of the Ger
man embassy is just back from a two
months visit to Germany, during which
period he had opportunity to observe
the progress of the meat inspection bill
in the reichstag and to note the develop
ment of the agrarian movement which
is having such marked influence on
German affairs, including the question
of exporting German beet sugar to the
United States. Baron Won Herman
talked quite freely on the questions to
a representative of the associated press.
When asked as to the status Of the
meat inspection bill, he said:
The bill was brought before the
reichstag last spring. but strong OPP
position developed among the agrariin
members on the ground that the gov
eminent measures were too friendly 10
the United States And you will re-
member that about that time pro-
vision was placed in the agricultural
appropriation bill passed in this coun-
try giving the Securetary of agriculture
power to exclude such imports as he
considered injurious to health. This
provision was directed against certain
German products, such as toys, which,
it was said, might be injurious to
health because of the paint on them. At
all events this provision caused a bad
feeling in Germany and made 1t more
difficult for the government to secure
the passage of the meat inspection bill.
1t was referred by the reichstag to
committee which had full power to de-
Termine which course was to be adopt
ed. The committee reported adversely
and that was equivalent to a refusal by
ia rntn hCfn ~ n
may be brought forward again, as
there really ought to be some modifica
tion of the present law. But it is too
early to say what the future plans will
be, as the reichstag is adjourned until
November and everything is at stand
still through the summer. 1t is prob
able however. that the government'will
consult with the leaders and see If some
understanding can be reached on the
measure
Concerning the agrarian movement,
Baron Won Herman said: 1T is very
strong and is turning its attention to
the interests of the agricultural classes
of Germany The sugar question is
essentially an agrarian one. Our sugar
interests are seriously injured by the
tax and countervailing duties in the
American tariff law and the agrarians
hold that this not only prejudices their
industry but that it is a discrimina
because it touches the product which is
the result of their labor, but above this
is the consideration that the system is
not right, being a discrimination. They
contend that the question should be
dealt with on broad grounds In the
final analysis it comes down to TINS
simple question:
Shall there be a development of the
cane industry of uncivilized, semi bar
barous countries. or shall there be
. continuance of sugar products of civil
lied countries which are able to buy
things in return? As the United states
does not produce the sugar actually re-
quired by consumers, a supply must
come from outside sources. Now, is 1t
not to the interest of this country to
buy of the German producers rather
than to turn to the cane industry Of
Java, for example, when Java can give
little or no return for the purchase
made of her?
Moreover. it should be understood"
added Baron Won Herman, that the
German government derives 100000, 600
out of the taxes on the sugar indus
tries of the country, while 1t pays back
as export bounties only about $4,000, 900,
So as matter of fact, the bounty
comes out of the pocket of the sugar
producer, instead of the treasury, as it
is part of the tax which the producer
has paid on his industry. 1t is some
what in line with the American revenue
tax on mixed -four, which is returned
TO the producer in case the flour is ex-
ported
On the whole, Baron Won Herman
seems to think that these pending
questions can be solved to the salts
faction Of both sides, and that public
understanding Of the legislation in
volved will solve half the difficulty.
Both nations, in his Judgment, are too
far advanced not to see that their in
terests lie in the development of their
already existing trade and not. as he
says, ''in building up a Chinese wall
anaiprf tha outside xs-nrld