The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-03

enough to invade. It may be that in such
markets there are prejudices to be over
come, and that nothing short of a practi-
cal demonstration will convince the ma
tives of the utility or superiority of the
article. In such places the new bureau
of manufactures might lend it's aid in
smoothing the way for private enterprise.
The practical test might be made under
government auspices, as Of reaper or
self-binder in Egypt, an automobile in
China, wind mill In Afghanistan, or of
oil stoves in Siberia. Private individuals
would readily be found to cooperate with
government experts in such enterprises,
and the actual expense to the government,
in the end, would undoubtedly be found to
be very small. Similar efforts have been
made by the government in behalf of the
farmer, under the auspices of the depart
ment of agriculture. For example, agents
have labored with the continental people
Of Europe to convince them Of the value
of maise, or common Indian corn as an
article Of food for human beings and for
domestic animals. And recently the Sec
reaary Of agriculture has spent consider
able money experimenting with the ship
ment Of fruits to European ports. This
bureau OF manufa ctures might do SINH
lar service for manufacturers -
To Bring In Manufactures. >>
In addition to seeking and opening UP
foreign markets for home manufa ctures
the commissioner of manufactures will
be empowered under this new law to dis
cover foreign manufa ctures which might
be conducted proftably in the United
States, and to help to establish them here.
! 1t was not long ago that John Alexander
Dowie, the leader Of the religious COM
munism near Chicago, discovered in Eng
| land a certain lace making industry,
which was entirely unknown in the
| United States, and imported plant with
| workmen almost bodily. The depart
ment Of agriculture has vainly urged that
| some one start, in the northwest. the
| manufa cture Of paste-foods of the maca-
roni order. The lard wheat from which
itit> is made has been introduced and is
| found to grow ahundantly in the Dakota
| region, and the industry abroad is known
| to be very: profitable. These are simply
examples taken at random. There are
| doubtless many lines of manufacture
which might be set up in the various To-
\ calities Of the United States, with profit
to the people conducting them, and even
! tually to the great enrichment of the
| whole nation. The beet sugar industry
was built up under the auspices of the
| agricultural department. The, bureau of
manufactures will not be limited to agri-
cultural specialties, but can concern itself
with any industry calculated, to flourish,
| keeping in mind the needs and resources
! Oh CAcz lOCdl1Ly. LII ILLS ISSpSCC ~ aWOulu
/ be doing in; it's field what the department
of agriculture does for the farmer when
| it explores, the four corners Of the earth,
and brings back seeds, bulbs, slips and all
forms of vegetable life, and tries whether
| they will grow in the various climates of
! the United States.
Is Secretary Cortelyou has not committed
himself to any plan for working out thi:
bureau of manufactures problem. Wha
is said above, indicates what may be don,
under the law. and what Mr.. Cortelyol
Fl is turning over in his mind. He is anx
ious above all things to have the bureau
II a practical and useful branch of the gov
eminent He is determined that it shall
not degenerate into a merely scientific de
partment. with a pail Of scolasticism upol
it; nor does he want. it to become use
less mac chine for grinding out useless fig
ures and equally useless facts. He il
feeling his way, soliciting suggestions
and trying to get at the sentiment of Thu
best informed and most progressiy,
thought He knows that his present worl
q is bound to be most important, for tn,
character which he stamps upon the new
q department 1t will in all likelihood carr.
4 for many years to come.