The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-17

In view of the fact that local beet sugar
men have been accorded liberal space in
The Journal to advocate the propo-
sition that free trade or reciprocity with
Cuba would necessarily be very injurious
If not fata to the beet sugar industry in
this country, the following statement
made by w. Bayard Cutting and Henry
IT. OXnard, directors Of the American Beet
Sugar company in 1885, when they appear
to have been trying to induce capital to
go into their business, is not without
special value:
In 1899 the possibilities of the beet su-
gar industry in the United States first
recommended themselves to the Messrs.
OXnard and Cutting, and determined them
to invest in its development 1t COM
mended itself to them not only on &C
count of it's probable profit, and its intro
auction OF new manufacturing industry
OF great magnit ude. but very largely be-
cause it seemed to provide that which the
country sorely needed-a new agricultu-
raj Industry Of large possible benefit to
the farmer, suffering from over-produc-
ton and improbable prices for his cere-
ais. 1t is possible that, had the pioneers
In the industry foreseen the time. care
and labor attendant upon the development
of the enterprise, they might have with
drawn-and yet they are able to assert to-
day, without reserve, that both from the
manufacturing and agricultural side, the
industry has succeeded beyond any Of
their original calculations or hopes. 1t
stands to-day on basis as firm as any
business in the country, and, if the clear
est signs do not fail, the anticipations Of
a new agricultural outlet Of vast possibili-
ties and secure returns will be more than
realized.
1.-THE troubles of the promoters have
been due largely to agrarian causes. The
Wi n ~ ho n 20 ,oy.
to adopt new agricultural methods, his
dislike Of learning from experts, and
above all. his distrust of anything like
capital made his education well-nigh
hopeless. To the normal obstacles was
added the rampant popuiism in Nebraska
(resulting In the reputation of the states
obligation to the sugar manufacturers)
and the conditions were not encouraging
All this, however, has been overcome.
Gradually the mutually Of interest of the
manufacturers and the growers has been
realized. Slowly the motives of the beet
buyers-so long perversely misrepresented
and misunderst Ood-have been seen by the
farmers to be fair, and at last good feel
ing prevails and the farmer is eager
rather than reluctant-tO supply the raw
material. Not a year since its inception
has the manufacturing side OF the project
failed to show profit, but the enormous
outlay on the educational and agricultural
additions to plant necessary to meet I'M
forSeen conditions, and to perfect the ma
chinery so as to keep it in the very front
rank Of similar enterprises, combined to
make the first few years Of operation
costly.
Best Factories.
This is the experience, however, that
gives wisdom, and it may be said now, in
general way, FIRST that the supply of raw
material is assured beyond any doubt and,
second. that the world contains to-day Git
is believed) no more perfect factories than
those owned by the Oxnards and Cuttings.
AS to the first point, 1t must be borne in
mind that the farmer takes the minimum
Of risk, his crop being all sold in advance
by written contract at a fixed price, and
that his gross return is from $40 to sos per
acre as a normal price, with occasional
cases running up to $500. A full supply is
assured for 1899 in Nebraska, while the
difficulty in California seems to be to Sc
lect from the large acreage offered while
doing justice to all applicants.
perhaps 1t may be well to draw atten-
ton to one or two features of the industry.
''First-Its product is staple of uni
versal consumption and of the readiest
sale.
"second-The product Is a finished ar
ticle, the sugar being turned out refined
and granulated, the manufacturer not
being dependent upon the refners' trust
for his market.
'Third-Competition by home production
Is so remote as to be scarcely worth con-
sideration. The United States is now COM
PEELED to import three quarters Of its
consumption, and it would take at least
300 fractOrieS of a daily capacity of SOC