The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-24
Planters Preparing for a Struggle
with the Other Countries.
SAYS PROTECTION is POPULAR
Let II BE Called by Whatever Name
They WiIl-Scicntifc investigation
has Done Much for Sugar Pro
ductIOn - Tobacco and
Peach Industries
in Texas.

WASHINGTON. May 2-secretary
Wilson returned to-day from his visit TO
Louisiana and Texas, which was made I'm
conformity with the wishes Of the Pres
ident for the purpose Of looking over the
sugar. rice. tobacco, fruit, cotton graz
ing and other industries Of that section
Re reports very cordial cooperation on
the part Of the producers Of those states
in giving him facilities for seeing every
thing along these lines.
Speaking Of the sugar industry, the
Secretary said:
MANY IMPROVEMENTS.
every extensive improvements have
lately been made I'm the sugar factories,
in anticipation of "a lifc and death strug-
gle with sugar countries. where labor is
cheaper and conditions quite as iavora-
bile. The actual condition to-day is that
OF admirable preparations FOR handling
a large crop, with "a prospect however.
of the present crop being cut down fifty
per cent. bv the fr0sts of lass winter.
"The encouragement given by the Ding
ley tariff will have tendency tO increase
the area of production and attract c1pi-
tai Ia the enterprise The people are
much more concerned over the future
policy of Congress respecting their indus
try than they are over the heavy loss
on the coming crop by the low 'empera-
lures They are pleased 10 note the
great increase OF sugar production from
bcets in the Northern states, judging
that they win not Doe alone i'm the future
when public policies arc found regard
ing the importation OF their product. The
large amount of money being paid 10
foreign countries for saccharine matter
gives abundant opportunity for enter
prise I'm the production Of sugar within
the United States and every effort viii
be now made by the producers of sugar
70 earn that money
PROTECTION POPULAR.
Referring 90 the political situation the
Secretary said: "The people accommodate
themselves to circumstances. politically.
The Republicans say: we want protec-
ton Other who do not like ga use the
word protection. say: The government
needs revenues But. however 1t is
put. the present policies of the govern
ment are very popular"
The Secretary expressed the opinion
that the announcement given by The
Dingley tariff has had q marked effect
on the rice producers around the Gulf,
and that extensive arrangements are
generally being made 90 produce an the
rice consumed in the United States. which
he thinks viii be soon brought about
There seems" the Secretary said "to
be very good reason for the sanguine dis
position of capital and enterprise % pro-
duce sugar. tobacco and rice iu the Gulf
States. particularly sugar. AS il has been
ascertained through extensive oXperlmen-
tation carried on by the Department of
Agriculture that nearly all the northern
States from New York TO California are
well suited for the production OF sugar
from beets.
SCIENCE HELPS.
Much has been done for sugar pr0duc-
ton in the South by scientific investiga-
ton The sugar planters. years ago, Sc
cured the services of Or. w. e.. Stubbs.
who has not only directed all their Inn
provements I'm the field and factory. but
has educated young men in the sciences
and arts related 20 sugar production, and
these young men are now found connected
with nearly all the enterprises Of this
kind IN the Gulf states.'
The Secretary reports that ne found
the tobacco and peach industries gain
ing a firm foothod in Texas. and that
both are proving profitable. IN some lo-
caities there is as much as i.4oo acres
of fine Cuban tobacco In cultivation. lie
found land generally enhancing I'm value
and predicts that the present area Of low
prices will soon give place to much high
or figures.