The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-02-23
BOUNTY FOR BEET SUGAR.
Senator Hoffman PROPOSES PilI to Ely.
courage the Culture Of Beets.

senator norman PROPOSES Gill to Ely.
courage the Culture Of Beets.
Senator Charles w. Hoffman pre-
scented bill in the senate, Wednes-
day morning providing for bounty
of l cent a pound on sugar manufac-
tured from native grown beets. The
measure was referred to The CON-
mittee on agriculture and manufac-
lures, says the Helena Herald
The beet sugar industry could be
made one Of the most important in
LIS staue,'' said Senator Hoffman 10
the Herald today. Montana grown
beets average a higher percentage OF
sugar than those of any other state,
and they grow very prolific in all the
valleys Of Montana. The profit
from crop of sugar beets is vari-
ously estimated al from $50 to $40
an acre. In many cases the crop can
be grown where nothing else can be
produced with profit, and at present
as there is no market for them, at
least no large quantity, the farmers
are deprived of what would otherwise
be very productive departure of the
farm.
Il introduced this bill at the re-
quest OF some gentlemen who assure
me that they will, if it becomes a
law, put up a plant in Gallatin coun-
ty that will take care of a great
amount of these beets. 1t is very
expensive proposition and a large
plant would cost to put up and equip
If assured that this bounty will be
continued for ten years the men who
are interested in the proposition
| would put up a plant Immediately
and have it in operation within two
years"
AT the rate of l cent pound
would not the bounty on a few years.
product bankrupt the state?' Sena-
tor Hoffman was asked.
That could be very easily over
come through legislation. An amend
ment could be made that would
fix a limit upon the amount paid by
the state. This would merely ell
courage the industry and at the same
time give the people of the state a
product much cheaper than is now
| hu hn
sugar can be manufactured cheaper
than the cane sugar and is just as
good in quality. Aside from the Re
duction in the cost of production, it
would save the people at least one
cent a pound in freight.
The bill presented by Senator Ho1f
man provides that the state bounty
shall continue for period of ten
years, after the establishment of a
factory by person, firm or corpora
ton for the manufacture of beet
sugar
The bill also provides for the ap-
pointment of an inspector, to be ap-
pointed by the governor, to remain
at the factory during the three
months of the year that the plant is
in operation. This inspector shall
make report of the amount of sug
ar manufactured and based upon
his sworn statement, and the state
treasurer shall pay the company
bounty at the rate of one cent per
pound. The bill provides that the
inspectors salary shall be paid by
the factory and that it shall not ex-
coed $3.50 per month.
| Several states have bounty laws
now in effect. One or two of the
eastern states have offered encour
| agement to the industry and Kansas
pays two cents per pound bounty
For several years Minnesota operat-
ed under a bounty law, giving the
company at st. Louis Park near Min
neapolis, a bounty of fraction of
cent pound. For three years the
company received $4,000 annually
from the state, but within the last
fortnight the state supreme court de-
clared the law unconstitutional and
the present legislature has been ask
ed to pass a law that will not be at
variance with the constitution