The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1906-01-19

ON ACCOUNT of his stand in favor of
the tobacco growers and sugar beet pro-
ducers of his district and state, Con-
gresham j. w. Babcock of the third
Wisconsin district has aroused the an
tagonism of some of the leaders in the
house of representatives as we'll as of the
administration who favor reduction of
the duty on both tobacco and sugar i'm
ported to this country from the Philip
pines. AS Wisconsin member of the
Ways and Means committee, before
which the bill was considered, Congress-
man Babcock exercised every possible
influence to prevent the measure being
favorably reported. He is leading the
tight in an organized effort to prevent
this legislation so damaging to the to
bacco and sugar beet interests of farm
ers. The Importance of the proposed
Legislation to the farmers of the tobacco
growing sections of Wisconsin can be
seen, when consideration is given to the
TACT that last year approximately $4,000
VOO pounds OF tobacco was produced in
Wisconsin. At ten cents per pound,
So, 100000 was distributed to the farm
ers. The sugar beet production gave
the farmers of the state ST. 500COO and
this industry can be said to be in pro-
cess Of establishment, contracts for next
years acreage indicating a largely in
creased production These benefits to
the farmers, it would appear, should
show the necessity of stimulating by
every reasonable means the condition
surrounding tobacco and sugar beet cul-
ture. Instead Of this, however, it is pro-
posed to reduce the duty upon Philip
pine tobacco and sugar to within rs per
cent. of the duty in the Dingley tariff
bill, and thus place the Wisconsin grow
ers in competition with the oriental pro-
duct grown at prices paid to labor rang
ing from Is to Is cents per day. 1t is
against such labor competition that
Congressman Babcock protests, knowing
that the farmers of this state can not
meet it and that the legislation, if the
mersure becomes law, will have dam
aging influence upon the tobacco and
beet sugar industries In taking this
stand, he is in full accord with the senti-
ment of his district and the state as we'll.
Regardless ofspolitical utilization, the to-
bacco growers as we'll as sugar beet
farmers appreciate the forceful efforts
he is making in their behalf. The sit
uation is so simple that it seems no one
should mistake the effect of the pro-
posed legislation to the Wisconsin farm
ers. While many subterfuges are used
to conceal facts, it is fully apparent
under the new law that the production
will be largely increased and come into
competition with the product ct Wiscon.
sin farmers. The same condition is true
as to sugar, for the product will conflict
with that of the sugar beet producers
and pass into the hands of the sugar re-
fners without benefiting the consumer
by reducing the price. Congressman
Babcock's value to his district and state
is clearly seen and appreciated by those
who have been mindful of his efforts ir
their behalf. It is one of the times wher
the keen, business foresight and judg
ment of a business man, familiar with
business conditions, is far better thar
all the theories that can be spun to ex
plain results The tobacco and sugar
beet producers desire to be let alone
without being placed under the ban o
unfavorable legislation