Fergus County argus., 1902-08-06


These are the very conservative
figures of the department of agricul.
ture. These figures of sheep and wool
show just what free wool and protect
ed wool do for the farmer. But what
of our woolen industry? Closed mills
and mills working part time in 1896.
Busy mills In 1902. The wooden in
dustry has been greatly depressed
throughout the world because of over
production. Our woolen manufacture
ers have suffered too. but not to the
extent Of those abroad, and the out
look is far from gloomy. Full recov-
cry may come at any time. but 1t Is
different with the sheep INDUSTRY. In
this connection | want to quote pat
paragraph from a speech delivered by
my friend the senior senator from
Wyoming before the Wool Manufac-
turers Association at the Hotel Savoy.
New York. January 8, 1901. Senator
Warren said:
Gentlemen. woolen mills may be
shut down at dark and reopened at
daylight; shut down a month, or even
a year, and still be there on the ground
when needed for business; but sheep
cannot be shut down and reopened.
II takes years to recover from loss
suffered, while it only takes months
to effect them.
Manufactures.
While the census report on manu-
factures for 1900 is most satisfactory,
1t by no means shows the Iull result
of the operation of the Dingley law.
The total value of products for 1900
is given at $1,000, ,O13,63S, as against
$9,372, ,437. .2S3 in 1890. We have pro.
gressed wonderfully in the last two
or three years. and 1t is likely that
the output for 1902 will exceed $15,'
900 ,O00, 900, which is double the out
put of 1895 or 1896. In spite of con
solidations and combinations. the
number of manufacturing establish
ments increased over A per cent In
the last decade.
Mineral Products.
Our mining statistics show the
same substantial increase as our agri
culture and manufacturing. | give
simply comparison between 1885,
and 1901 in a few products and thu
total value:
1896. 1901.
G0ld.. ..................eo ..eo4,VuU o,'V"'V
Iron ore.."... ........ Z3Uo.Uo IaUooo
Coal oal....................l96 .l96.0D.OD 25.OD.O
Stone ne................... 9.00O.WO $4,000
Total mineral products 622. 10000 l,eOOOo.0O
The iron ore, coal and stone are pu
into use as fast as mined. and adj
most materially to our manufactuT
ing and building output. We have al
most doubled the value Of our miner
al products under the demands OF In
dustry made possible by return Z
protection, and the mining. transpoi
tation, and conversion into a usabl
commodity, consisting. as 1t does, @
so much increased labor. is but anotf
er testimony to the benefits OF tn
Dingley law.
Railroad Business.
The effect of tle great consumptio
of farm products and manufacture
Is nowhere more apparent than in tn
enormous railroad business OF tn
country. We have now passed tn
100000 mark In system mileage an
are approaching 100000 In total mile
of track. Over 100000 men are en-
ployed with annual wages exceedin
OO,O00.000. The railroad systems
the country represent a capital
$12 2,0O0. 900 900. with annual earning
exceeding 81 SOC, 100000. Six hundre
million passengers are carried ann
. ally and over 1.100,00O,000 tons
freight.
: The railroad business is the indie
of the country's progress and pro
perity. 1t is dependent upon the d.
mand made by consumers and tn
: supply OF producers. II Is a fact thi