The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-01-28

movement for increasing the manu-
featured output of Iowa, by establish
ing a weekly manufacturers day
: throughout the State.
Secretary G. A. Wrightman of the
State Manufacturers Association has
been touring Iowa, getting this move
:. ment on its feet He has met with
interest and support throughout the
State, but the movement is not yet
understood as it should be by the peo-
pie Of Iowa. 1t is understood as it
must be in order to become a sue
cessful Statewide movement.
"The following statement of condf-
tons in Iowa with reference to fac
tory output in the State, recently is
sued by the Manufacturers Associa-
ton, ought to be carefully studied by
every taxpayer and property owner
in Iowa:
Here are three striking facts n
relation to the industrial progress of
Iowa:
First. In all parts of the State
the accumulated capital of our citi-
zens may be seen flowing in a golden
stream across our borders away for
investment in Texas, in Canada, IN
California, and elsewhere.
Second: The population of
Iowa decreased over $4,000 between
the years 1900 and 1906. Not only are
our people going away with their
capital, but our young men are going
away for employment.
Third: There are 500 factories
in Iowa, using over $4,000 capital
each. They employ so 600 people and
turn out annually products worth
$3.50, 900 600.
Illinois, with the same area as
Iowa has over 5000 factories, which
use over $4,000 capital each. They
employed 100000 people and turned
out over $1,SOO,OOO,OOO worth of pro-
ducts in 1908.
"'These facts furnish great food
be asked in regard to them:
"Is Illinois position on the lake
sufficient reason for her leading us
10 to 1 industrially?
"'With 1900 miles of water trans
portation easily made accessible to
thirty of our cities, is Iowa not as
fortunately situated as any industrial
State?
" Are we not as near to iron, tim
Der, wool, leather, grain, and meat
animals as Illinois is?
care there any other conditions
such as labor supply, national legis'
lation or State legislation, which pre-
vent us from holding production
cost down so that we can save our
selves a living, progressing margin |
of profit in the worlds market?
Factory growth is what Iowa
needs, If we can touch the spring
that hides that secret
"'our capital will find paying in
sestment at home;
"'Our young men will find oppor-
turnity and paying employment at
home;
"'Our merchants will find more
customers with ready money;
"'Our farmers will find a home
market that will double the value of
their farms.
"'No good business man anywhere
will try to run factory where his
own energy and that of his plant are
wasted in overcoming needless OBJ
stacles We may be absolutely sure Of
will not start or stay
where the way is not open and clear
for them to make and send their
products into the worlds market and
come off with margin that means
life, strength and growth to them.
at is the great object of this as
ISOLATION of the manufacturers of
Iowa to clear the way for the expan-
sion of home factories and keep it
clear. Let the obstacles be transpor-
tation, labor supply, legislation, mon
opoly, or what they will, we must
meet them, solve them, remove them
from our way, or be content with e
5nail's pace and the crumbs that
all from the banquet of the great
States.
"'To do this, certain problems OF I
great interest to the whole State s
must be worked out to a right solu
ion by the people, so that our law {
makers may know what is the peo-
lies will when constructive legisla
ion that means real industrial pro- c
ress is before them for action.
"a lively, aggressive interest in /
owa factories, and in every ques- |
ion pertaining to them, must be
Weakened throughout the entire
tate. The manufacturers themsel-
es. first of all, must become charg-
d with optimism and enthusiasm q