The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-04-10
Fighting for the Beet.
,urier. Herald

From the Saginaw Courier. Herald
For some strange and unknown rea.
son the Detroit newspapers, if not really
antagonistic to the beet sugar industry
in Michigan. have been Indifferent to it.
Usually thew have done little else but
scott when tariff proposals and recipro-
city treaties have reused the friends of
the industry to derend it against at.
tack. Lately. however, the Free Press
has shown some realizing sense of the
magnitude and possibilities of the in
dustry, almost as much as it shows fire..
quently of the automobile, stove and
pill making activities of Detroit, long
that city's pride and constant boast.
The other day it said that which has
been said before, but not, so far as we
have observed, by Detroit newspaper:
Premises for beet sugar arguments
with which there will be no disagree.
ment can be framed from these data:
Farmers to the number of 80, 900 en-.
gagged in raising sugar beets in Michigan
last year, and received for their crop
VI, 400, OOO or an average of $170 for
each farmer.
The number of acres of land devoted
to beet culture was 10000, so that the
average money return per acre was
$48S7.
For each ton of beets sold to the re-
fineries, an average of 1915 was re-
ceived by the growers. In the early
history of the beet industry in this
state the average price for beets was a
little more than 81 ton. The sweet
ness of Michigan beets has increased,
and the price based on the percentage
has also increased. The average price
paid at the refineries for the beet ma
terial necessary to make one pound of
su gar was 2. 81 cents.
The 16 refneries in which nearly
$13 900, 900 is invested give employment
to large numbers and contribute to the
% prosperity of important beet centers
They yield by-products whose value ag-
gregates large sum. The advantage
Ola diversity in farm products was
illustrated when the 81, 400, 900 paid to
the farmers for beets was put into cir
culation at the very height of the cur
rency shortage in Michigan, when the
LudIh6I lOI hOU a LOW ObuCl ldIIu pIO-
ducts was slow. The distribution as
sisted, of course. in alleviating the in
convenience of the shortage
1t is for the prosperity of this great
industry, for this 5000, 900 invested,
this "a, 500, 900 paid annually to farmers
for new crop, the continued employ
ment of workmen in factory and on
farm, that the defensive fight has been
and is being waged. For these things,
as congressman from the sugar beet
eighth district, Rep. Fordney has been
in the front of the struggle. Despite
the clamor and yapping at his heels.
and at those of every other man who
has had the courage to lift his voice, he
has refused to lie down. Is such an
industry, as described succinctly in the
worth battling for? Would
a Congressman who declined to fight for
interests so important to his constitu-
ents' welfare be worth his salt at
Washington If it is well to protect
and build up infant industries, isn't
this one worth nurture?
Here in the valley and the Thumb,
throughout the sugar beet sections of
the state, we are less interested in the
fact that our congressman may not be
able to say who shall be postmaster at
Bunkville, than we are in how loyal
they are to the states great industries.