Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-02-07
AGED RESIDENT DIES|BEET SUGAR PLAN
SECRETARY WILSON BELIEVES
TWILL SUCCEED IN
IOWA.
Head Of National Agricultural Depart
ment Is Interested In Project for
Factory at Davenport-subIect Has
Long Been Discussed In Iowa.
[BY HAROLDJ. MAHIN.1
Bureau of the Courier.

[BY HAROLDJ. MAHIN.1
Washington Bureau Of the Courier.
Washington, D. c., Feb. q.
Secretary Wilson is very much in
terested in Davenport's proposed beet
sugar factory. He believes Iowa one
of the best adapted states in the union
to the growing of sugar beets.
The matter was brought to the sec
elect Dawson, who has also taken an
interest in the matter. Through Mr..
Dawson's efforts Secretary Wilson has
agreed to send to the promoters of the
Davenport factory 1000 pounds of SUI
gar beet seed. This seed will be done
UP in small packages of convenient
size and will be distributed free to
the farmers in the vicinity of Daven-
port who want to try growing sugar
beets. Secretary Wilson also agreed
to send B. T. Seaman, the head of the
company, fifty magic lantern slides
showing all about the sugar beet,
which will be used in illustrated lee
lures to explain the product to the
| farmers.
In a recent letter to Mr. Dawson in
regard to the matter Secretary Will.
son said:
~ am greatly interested in this pro-
ject believe that If one sugar beet
factory is established in Iowa ninety
nine more will grow up very shortly.
No state In the Union Is better adapt
ed to the growing of the sugar beet
than Iowa Beets grown there may
not give such large per cent of sac
arine matter but they will grow in a
much larger tonnage to the acre."
| In report on the progress of the SUI
gar beet industry in 1903 which was
gotten up by Secretary Wilson and re-
Gently issued as senate document for
general distribution, there is the fol-
lowing about Iowa.:
THE beet sugar industry for the last
eight years has been theme Of con-
slant agitation in different parts Of
Iowa. The conditions of the state for
growing sugar beets and producing
sugar have been pretty thoroughly
settled in the affirmative. 1t is in the
midst of a large consuming district.
! 1t has facilities for transporting both
I the crude material and the finished
product 1t has extensive supplies Of
cheap fuel. 1t has a good record for
cultural crops. 1t is a great state for
!, live stock and the products of the
creamery. 1t is probably the best
equipped state in the union for the
consumption of the feed by-products
!, of sugar factory. 1t has consider
able local capital. Good agricultural
methods in farming are used. 1t has
all the natural conditions that appeal
to the managers Of sugar factory.
1t lacks the one thing necessary, and
!, that is the combined interest and en-.
thusiasm of the farmers. There Is an
apathy on their part, and hesitancy
to go into new and untried field
requiring tedious work and large
drafts on labor.
1.-THE farmers Of the state have ex-
perienced during the past few years q
great change in the status of labor
: There has been a constant decrease II
the supply and rise in wages. They
|, succeed with large list Of agricul.
tural products. They are not con.
fronted with the necessity of some.
thing to do as are the farmers II
some states in which the sugar indus.
try is being established. Probably
there is no other state that has receiv-
ed more complete and thorough in.
L
sugar production. Through such in
vestigation number Of communities
have been stimulated to special inquir.
and effort, with view to securing fac
tories. At Mason City, Clear Lake
Waterloo, Fort Dodge. Storm Lake
Cedar Falls, Missouri Valley, Siou,
City, Davenport, Clinton, Algona ant
Des Moines the question Of establish
ing a beet sugar factory has been NOR
or less under discussion. There is M
doubt. all things considered that an!
of the places would prove favorable
point for the production of sugar beet
and the establishment Of factory
Each possess abundant shipping facili
ties to every part of the state and t.
adjoining states Many Of them ar
located on the finest streams of pur
water, or on lakes, and have suitable
fuel at their doors.
Local capitalists and business mel
are usually favorably inclined towar,
t the sugar industry at these places TIL
farmers, as rule are not seeking tn
. responsibility Of adding the laboriou
though profitable task of beet raisin
to their already large list of produc
tons.
Among the other places mentione
|. prominently in relation to propose
Y factories are Wheatland, Atlantic
Y Fruitland and Avoca. Many thing
r can be said of these places as favorabl
= as of those mentioned above. Their
: are still other places in the state tina
. could be added to the list
Secretary Wilson is watching tn
q Davenport venture with great interes
e and hoping for Its success.
Representative Haugen will enter
tain the entire Iowa delegation an
+ Iowa's two members of the cabinet 9
G dinner this evening. The dinner wi
= be for men only and will take place q
. the Willard Hotel. Washington's mos
5 magnificent hosiery. 1t will be
y honor of Senator Allison. Representa-
d tive Haugen had planned to give thl
dinner last year but was unable to d
k so. Representative Wade and Rer
q resentative- elect Dawson, from tn
;. second district are among the invite
!, guests.
! !. loWANs VISIT THE SOUTH.
q The Isle of Pines has been durin
q the winter the mecca Of many Iowan
soakinp wintar rosort In racar