The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-02-15

what it has cost US to produce. The
foreign markets that we can secure,
and which are most anxious to become
our customers. are the Pacific ocean or
Asiatic countries.
Resolved. That we believe the most
practical manner to secure foreign mar
kets and hold them would be through
In this trade.
Recognizing the immense disadvant
ages our ships would have to encounter
In securing a foothold in this commerce
which is now practically done by for
eign ships, or 90 per cent of our entire
commerce. who are generously subsi-
| died by their respective governments
and who are now absorbing about 5000
100000 annually that we pay them tc.
carrying our products to market
We will be obliged to meet this con-
dition and pay bounty or subsidy of
such proportion as will effectually place
our ships on equal footing with foreign
competitors. We desire that this boun-
| ty or subsidy be so arranged that it will
be paid the vessels actually engaged in
| carrying the freight to market, and be
made so generous to this class of ships
| that it would attract the building of
ships of this character.
We are interested in our export
| trade because we contribute about 70
per cent of the entire export trade of
this nation from the farm.
| We believe that the interests of agri-
culture will be benefited by the build
ing of American ships, as it will aid in
extending our foreign markets and re-
duce the freight rates at sea on our pro-
ducts, while enhancing the value of our
| entire crops by creating international
competition for the sale of our crops,
while giving large and profitable field
| for the American mechanic and labOrer
and an opportunity for attracting capt.
| tai to one of the most extensive enter
prises left undeveloped in this nation
| While placing us at the same time in
! the ranks of great commercial nation,
! and furnishing us with fleet of Ameri-
can built vessels that would be of great
value to the nation in time of war.
Resolved, That commission be ap-
| pointed, to consist of seven members,
which will include four members repre-
senting agriculture and come from
North, South, East and Western Sec
tons, embracing the interests of the
products of the different sections, which
farm products represent 70 per cent of
our entire export trade, while the other
three members be appointed to repre-
sent the manufactured products, of
which one should at least represent
labor. This commission to have an ap-
preparation set aside to enable them to
visit foreign countries and study out q
plan that will result in placing our pro-
| ducts on sale in competition with the
| products Of other nations; and by
recommending such laws or methods
as will speedily place this nation in a
position to intelligently meet the re-
| quirements necessary to introduce our
goods and maintain such market when
once secured.
Resolved, That we recommend that
the interstate commerce commission
be abolished, as it has. proven that it is
useless and worthless in remedying the
evils that exist among railroads in CIV
ing rebates and differentials to large
and favored shippers, who by these ad-
vantages are enabled to crush out local
and terminal competition, and thus be
able to control the prices on products,
to the detriment of the producer and
consumer.
Resolved, That we appreciate the val
liable work accomplished by the indus
trial commission the past year, on ac-
count of the publicity of many condi-
tons which exist throughout the coun-
try, which was against public policy
and interests, and securing such infor-
| nation from different and conflicting
interests that have received a pretty
general idea of the conditions that have
obtained, and secured some intelligent
idea of formulating remedy that will
remove many of the evils.
We, therefore, recommend that this
body be permanently established and
continue their investigations, and make
such recommendations in the shape of
legislation as will remove the evils now
complained Of .
Resolved, That we recommend the alb
clifton of forecast reports" by the de-
partment of agriculture on the crops of
the country as being of great damage to
the agricultural interests, as those ere
ports" generally being of such rosy
and hopeful character and of such ex-
travagant guesses, that, while it makes
nice reading, it has the effect of aiding
the gamblers and operators in destroy
ing the value of the growing crops.
Resolved, That we demand that the
terminal elevators be placed in the con-
troll of the government and prevent the
many abuses that now exist on account
of permitting big operators trafficing in
the products of the public, while charg-
ing the public exorbitant carrying
| charges, and using the grain stored by
the public to Systematically raid the
prices or value of the products in their