The Calumet news., 1914-09-16
WE CAN EASILY CARE FOR
OURSELVES.


\ partial inventory OF the national
assets OF the United States in area
population and the fundamental fac
tors of economic life reveals the fact
that il is not only practically self
supporting but that il possesses, in
many lines, a large surplus available
for protection against famine and
temporary adversely or for use in
meeting unusual demands from The
outside world
The peculiarly fortunate position of
the United States i'm its ability To sup
ply its own needs is clearly seen from
survey OF its production and relative
contributions 10 the world OF the great
requirements of manhood, clothing
and shelter.
1t is found. for example. that the
people of the United States may be fed
readily by home produced foedstuffs,
our vast area Of three and two-thirds
million square miles representing ev-
cry variety Of climate and production
and being nearly equal in extent 10 all
Europe, which has a population five
times that Of this country.
our country already produces over
., 800 600, 600 bushels OF corn. or two-
thirds of the world supply. This years
wheat crop is estimated at the high
record figure OF 9ll,OOO 900 bushels,
about 20 per cent OF the world harvest.
The United states also produces an
nuany over l,OOO,OOO,OOO bushels of
oats, or one-fourth OF the international
yield.
Fifteen per cent of the worlds cattle
are on American farms, the number in
this country being 59,OOO,OOO, or twice
as many as in Argentina or European
Russia and half the number in India,
our country also has 6O,OO0,O0
swine, 5O,OOO,OO0 sheep and 24.000,00O
horses. We import, however, 5,OOO,-
100000 pounds Of sugar (chiehy Cub
am, or one and one-half times the
amount produced in continental Unit
ed States and its island territories.
In clothing material the United
States is also favored producing an
nually over 100000 bales Of cotton,
representing over one-half OF the
worlds supply.
OF wool we produce 100000, 900
pounds a year, our home requirements
being supplemented by 23S,OO0,O 900
pounds of foreign wool and 34,OO0.OOO
dollars worth of wooden goods.
In the mineral kingdom, the pre-
eminent position OF the United States
| is unquestioned.
We produce for example, 534 OOO, OOC
| short tons Of coal, 40 per cent Of the
worlds output; 23S,OOO, 600 barrels oi
petroleum, two-thirds Of the worlds
total; and 57.OOO,OOO tons Of iron ore
out OF a world total OF 1000, 600
One-half Of the worlds copper is
taken from American mines. which
turned out 1,22s,766,243 pounds in 1912
OF the worlds output Of $4,000. .OOO
| dollars worth Of gold the United
States produced about 20 per cent, be-
ing exceeded only by South Africa.
About 2s per cent Of the worlds sill
yer and 30 per cent Of it's lead are pro-
| duced in this country.
In the value Of manufactures the
| United States leads the world, though
the product Of American factories is
chiefly consumed at home.
OF the 100000 900 dollars worth
Of manufactures produced in the Unit
ed states in 1909, only about per cent
| were sold 10 foreign countries. the
world market for iron and steel prod
uctS cotton goods, chemicals and other
Important products OF industry being
thus far largely held by England. Ger
many and other European nations.