The Dolores star., 1907-01-25
II. r. Antes Tries to Land Something.


II. r. Antes Tries TO Land Somefhips.
H. r. Antes of Montezuma county
does not limit his usefulness to attempts
to benefit the Navajos and raise the
finest apples in Colorado the profits
of his orchard being appropriated to
the support of the Navajo mission. Mr..
Antes is a public-spirited and enter
prising citizen on general principles
and is alive to all the movements cal
culated to advance the interests of
Montezuma county. This was eviden-
ced by his activity among notable
people of Denver this week, he inter-
viewed railroad and beet sugar mag
mates with view of getting them inter-
ested in his portion of southwestern
Colorado. He had two interviews
with high officials of the d. & r. g.
railway to impress upon them the
magnitude Of the undeveloped re-
sources Of the Montezuma valley,
which under the vivifying aud deyel-
oping iniiusncss Of Eailtsay facilities
s66it SffH11y prSvide ixrvs Anff pros
table business for the railway. Mr..
Antes' representations fAvprably inn
pressed the officials and may be the
entering wedge for an investigation of
the Montezuma valley as an inviting
field for railroad extension. But this
Is not possible he was told, In the pre-
sent condition of the valleys ditch
and irrigation matters, which abso-
lutely forbid the investment of capital.
Getting cold bath from the railroad
people did not discourage Mr.. Antes
from tackling beet sugar proposition.
In company with the Enterprise writ
er he called upon Mr.. F. c. Howe,
general manager of the American Beet
Sugar company's many factories, at
his Office in the Sugar building. MIR.
Antes was most cordially received,
and, map in hand, presented the geo
graphical situation and the advantages
in soil, and climate which the Monte
yuma valley possessed for the growth
Of sugar beets. He found Mr.. Howe to
have good knowledge Of that portion
of the state from reports filed by the
cornpany's experts who had made an
examination few years ago. No en-
cOuragement was given Mr.. Antes as
to the building of sugar factory, Mr..
Howe advancing number of reasons
why the further extension of the beet
sugar industry was impracticable at
this time. The first handicapping fea-
ture Of the outlook was the reduced
tariff on sugar from Cuba and the
PHILIPPINES, with free sugar from Haw-
all and Porto Rico. Not only SO, but
the Cuban situation threatens to take
on q mora damaging phase, as heavy
capitalistic influences In New York
are active in promoting movement
for the annexation Of Cuba, or such
protectorate by the United States as
shall secure yet lower tariff on sugar.
These tariff conditions have con-
spired to make the price of sugar un-
usually low and no conservative cap
italist would today invest in sugar
factory. The price of sugar is
now one and one-half cents per pound
less than 1t was when the Rocky Ford
factory was started. This year that
factory will probably make $50, 900 bags
Of sugar. A shrlnkage Of 81 so per sack
would mean a reduction of half
million dollars in the market value Of
the products Of one campaign. Only
reduced cost of manufacturing enables
the company to stand such great re-
duction Of earnings.
During his stay in Denver MI. Antes
took occasion to renew his old time
friendship with Gov. Buchtel and Sem
ator Crowley, and to make number
Of new acquaintances among infiuen-
tiai members Of the general assembly.
Rocky Ford Enterprise.