The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-11-15
Sugar King Talks.
Concluded from page s.)

ways does This industry give labor TO
our people.
First Of all come the farmers. Rails
tiyation OF the soil, which adds to the
value of every acre of ground so treated.
1t gives diversified farming, and the
fact that where beets are raised, mort
cages are also raised, and farm pro-
perty advances rapidly in value, is all
the evidence any one could want to
prove that beet raising is God send to
the farmers of Michigan. Then there
are thousands of boys and girls and
women finding work on the beet fields
in wedding, cultivating and harvesting
of the beets at wages formerly only
earned by laborers In ten hours work
Every new factory gives work to from
$50 to $50 skilled mechanics for at least
whole year. direct, while the value of
the steel, iron and machinery used,
gives work indirectly to hundreds more.
Late in fall and early winter, just when
other work is apt to be scarce, these
four months at good wages to from 200
to ESQ men. 1t is reckoned that nearly
10, 600 people found work in raising
sugar beets in Bay county alone, 400
found work in building the new sugar
factory, and their adjunct, the chemi-
Cal factory. Over 1000 will be en-
ployed at Bay City's four factories dur
ing the beet slicing campaign. Five
new factories are already building for
next year in Michigan. at Mt. Clements,
Croswell, Sebewaing, Harbor' Be ach and
Carrolton. Michigan's IS factories will
average 5000 acres each and about 49,
600 people will find work in this giant
new industry in Michigan alone. And
there is still a chance for triple expan.
sion. 100000 acres will be cultivated
next year, but it would require the pro-
duct of 100000 acres to supply the
sugar consumed by Michigan alone.
and fifteen million people could find
work to supply the sugar consumed by
the people of the United States if all of
it were made from sugar beets.
Evidently there is some mistake in
the latter figures, as no such amount Of
sugar is used in this or any other state,
neither could fifteen million people be
employed in the industry TINES
These figures are enormous, and give
an idea of the vast possibilities opened
to our people in this industry. Some
of the sugar trust inspired articles go,
ing the rounds of the press, would not
be so easily digested, if our people at
large comprehended the full facts in the
case. Yet it is not so very long ago
that this same sugar trust manipulated
tariff regulations on imported raw
sugar, that gave them au enormous
chance for profit at the expense of our
people. They are trying the same
methods now against the beet sugar in
dustry, but have too much confidence
in the business judgment of our people,
to fear anything from these recent at
tacks. When once our people realize
the Importance of this industry to the
welfare of our country, they will pro
tect its interests, until the industry has
grown to dimensions and experience.
where it can compete with all the com
petition of the outside world
1t means work for millions of people
and millions of dollars kept at home
for home necessities. In this growing
industry Michigan is bound to take
foremost place. We have the moist
warm climate, the rich. good soil, and
above all, we have intelligent farmers
who are showing by their higher test
of beets year by year, that they are
rapidly mastering the science of Sugar
beet culture. 1t is their improved
methods of cultivation that insure a
progress in the industry, that will
eventually permit us to produce all our
own sugar, at prices that no foreign
article can beat. Until that stage is
reached, the beet sugar industry needs
some fair protection. The figures |
have given cannot be gainsaid, and
speak for themselves. This industry is
bound to become one of the largest
factors in our national and industrial
life. A dozen anxious walters in the
ante room heaved sigh of relief when
the interview closed, and the busy, far
seeing, liberal minded pioneer of Michl'
gan's sugar beet industry was again at
his daily routine. In his words is much
food for thought for US at this time.
A. II. G.