The Washington times., 1902-02-08
The industrial Commission
Issues It's Final
Report.
DECLINE OF MERCHANT MARINE.
Marked Progress in Agricul-
ture and Mining.
COTTON AND COPPER LEAD.
COTTON AND COPPER LEAD.
Eastern Farms Not Going to Ruin as
Currently Reported, and Those of
the Southland Again Prosperous
Prices Advancing.

scented in the final report Of the Industrial
Commission, just made public.
The progress of the nation is shown,
says the report, in the remarka BILE growth
OF Industries which has taken place with
in recent years. The greatest increase
in production has occurred in copper
The largest increase in any particular
crop is shown in potatoes, the amount
raised in 1895 being nearly double that
of 1S79-'SS. Next to potatoes the largest
increase in agricultural production is
shown in cotton. the article, adds the re-
port, which leads all others in our ex-
port trade.
Wheat Shows Strong.
Next to cotton, wheat shows the great
est increase. the largest crop being
harvested in 1895. which was 5O4 per cent
larger than the average for 1S79-SS The
shortest crop within the past ten years
was in 1898
The corn crop" says the report.
which is the largest single product in
the country, shows the highest index in
1896"
In live stock less violent changes are
noted. The number of cattle in this
country reached the highest point in 1892.
The production of crude steel increased
gradually until 1895, and after that with
great rapidly. until 1899. when an in
crease OF 55.2 per cent above the aver
age was reached.
! remarkable expansion of the South
ern cotton industry is shown. The re-
port also states that the production of
fermented liquors and of cigars shows a
steady advance.
Our Merchant Marine.
The report says upon the subject of
merchant marine:
when we come to the shipping indus
try of the United States We notice a
marked difference in comparison with the
industries just described. Reviewing the
increase in the past forty-threc years of
the exports and imports OF the United
States, and considering the total amount
of this traffic carried in American yes
sells. it is seen that while the foreign
trade increased by amazing strides, espe-
cially in the past seven years, the abso-
Lutte amount carried in American vessels
has shown a steady decline, and the com
parative amount a still more striking de-
cline
chapter is devoted to discussion of
the gold standard and to bank loans and
other financial matters.
Prosperity of Agriculture.
Agricultural prosperity comes in for
long and optimistic discussion. Through
out the Central West il is stated that in
most of the elements Of agricultural pros
perity the farmers are decidedly better
off than at any previous time in our rural
history.
From certain portions of the South,
saws the report including Maryland.
South Carolina, North Carolina, and
Texas. evidence is presented to show that
the condition of farming is either of
doubtful Improvement or much depressed,
but for the most part only in local sec
tions.
"There is no considerable body OF evi-
dence to show that farmers have not
shared more or less freely and fully ir
the general improvement of business since
the depression of 1893. In fact the weight
of evidence is to the effect that farm
wealth has steadily advanced and debts
declined. The mortgages of Kansas have
been reduced to one-ifth of their amount
of ten years ago and the interest rate
on the balance has been reduced one
third.
PennsyIynnia Reports Progress.
"As evidence of the state OF agriculture
in general possibly the condition OF the
older States is after all the best index
20 the national industry. If so, Pennsyl-
yania might be taken as representative
Contrary to the prevailing impression that
farm lands in the East have declined IN
ralue. it is officially stated by the secre-
tary OF agriculture of Pennsylvania that
the price of improved farm land in that
State has advanced and that there IS no
lack of tenants for farms that are at all
fayorably located and in good condition.
The fall in the value OF Eastern lands
has contributed in certain localities re-
or.aniZation of the system of farming,
in which live stock and certain STAPLE
crops closely correlated with live stock
ere dominating features. Prince George
county Md, including that portion OF
Maryland which lies between the city Of
Washington and the Chesapeake Bay, was
a district Of great affiuence prior 10 1850
land was worth $1OO per acre.
The Uplifting of the South.
Large estates averaging from 500 to
coo acres were the rule The civil war
affected this portion Of the South as
many other portions, by wrecking the es-
tatcs and dislodging young men. who
were highly educated, from their country
homes to join the professional ranks in
large cities.
Meanwhile the soil has remained much
the same and the cities have grown, fur
nishing stil better markets every year,
with the increase in population. Recent
enquiries about lands and farm property
for sale have been followed by purchasers /
from different parts OF the country. The
prices Of farm lands vary now from s.
10 SO per acre. according 20 proximity to
hhipping points, condii ions OF land, fences,
and buildings.
Near cities land brings from S1G0 to
FI50 per acre. Where the owners Of farms |
have lived in the cities IL has frequently
occurred that poor colored tenants have
permitted the property 10 run down 10
such an extent as TO be not especially
profitable. A good farm in fair condition
can be bought for from so TO S25 per acre. |
The large estates SIN remain. as a rule, |
10 be divided up. Labor is scarce and I
there is a general demand for farmers. /
The state has done much for this local I.
,tv through the agency OF the Agricultural /
College and Experiment station.
Education Touched ON.
Education and public sahools are given /
considerable attention
The mining industry is then taken up. |
aud the influence Of mining on manufac-
;ures and social conditions is given. The I
combinations OF railroads and the coal .