The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-13

+. Z
pie and are more fruitful than all their
million farms receive from the protective
tariff what they most need and that is
lie best OF all possible markets. All other
classes depend upon the farmer, but the
farmer in turn depends upon the market cl,
they furnish him for his produce. The
annual output OF our agricultural pro-
ducts Is nearly four billions OF dollars.
Their increase in value has been prodiGi-
Gus, although agriculture has languished
in most other countries; and the main
3factor5in this increasetis the corresponding
increase Of our manufacturing Industries.
American farmers have prospered be-
cause the growth Of their market has kept
pace with tho growth Of thor farms. The
additional market con tinually furnished
for agricultural products by domestic
manufacturers has been far IN excess OF
in farm products Is necessary 10 dispose
of our surplus: and the export trade OF
our farmers botN-jn animal products and
in plant products. has very largely In
creased. Without the enlarged home mar
ket to- keep this surplus down, we should
have to reduce production or else feed the
world at less than the cost OF production
Demand for Farm Products.
"In the forty years ending IN 1900 the
total value OF farm property increased
twelve and a half billions iof dollars; the
farmer gaining even more during this
over roduction would have checked the
marvellous development of our national
agriculture, but for the steadily increasing
demand of American manufacturers for
farm products required as law materials
for steadily expanding industries. The
farmer has become dependent upon the
manufacturer to utilize that portion Of his
produce which does not 80 directly to food
supply. In 1900 fifty two per cent. or a lit-
tie over half, Of the total value Of the
farm products Of the nation was consumed
In manufacturing industries as the raw
materials of the factories. Evidently the
manufacturer is the farmers best and
most direct customer. Moreover, The
American manufacturer purchases his
farm supplies almost exclusively IN his
own country Nne-tenths OF all the m
consumed in American manufactures are
of American production. The manulac-
turing establishments tend steadily 70
migrate into the heart of the great agrl-
cultural districts. The center Of the man
ufacturing industry In 1900 was near the
middle OF Ohio. and 1t is moving west
ward at the rate or about. llnrty miles ~
variably accompanied by a marked In.
crease in the value Of farm lands. Local
causes. notably the competition between
here ana there to obscure what Is happen
ing; but IT Is lis certain as the operation
OF any economic law. that II the country
as a whole. farm values Will continue TO
|
| ufacturer aid farmer grows more init
mate through further advance of indus
| trial science. The American manufacturer
mover could have placed this nation at the
| head OF the manufacturing nations of the
world II he had not had behind HIM, Sc
curing hin, every variety Of raw material,
| the cNhaustless resources Of the American
| farm. developed by the skill and the en-
| ttrprise Of Intelligent and educated Amerl-
| can farmers On the other hand, the debt
| OF the farmers TO the manufacturers is
| equally heavy, md the future of Amnrt-
| cun agriculture Is -o'lnd up In the future
| of American manufactures. The two I'M
| dustries have become under the economic
| policy of our government, so closely M
| terwoven, so mutually lnlerdepcndenl.
that neither can hope to maintain Itself
at the high-water mark Of progress with
out the other. Whatever makes to he al
vantage of one IS equally toithe advnn-
tagee Of the other.
80 it is as between the capitalist and
the wage-worker Here and there may be
| an unequa sharing as between the twa
| in the benefits that have come by protec-
| Ton; hut benefits have, come tosboth; and
| a reversal in policy would mean damage
| TO both; and while the damage would nc
4 heavy to all. II would be heaviest, and II
| would fall soonest. upon those who are
| paid in the form Of wages. zach week or
| each month"; for that weeks or that
| months work. -
| Conditions change and The Laws mur.
y be modified from time to Time 10 lit new