Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-15
Tuesday, September IS, 1914,
america Self Supporting.

tors of economic life reveals the fact
that it is not only practically self
supporting but that it 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. Recently the Bureau
of Foreign and Domestic Commerce,
Department of Commerce, has been
receiving hundreds Of letters from
American producers and manufactur-
ers making inquiries regarding posi-
bic markets abroad for their surplus
products and as to the ability of the
United States to supply the raw ma
terials necessary to their industries.
Investigations in connection with the
replies to these inquiries have de-
veloped the fact that in many in
abroad are of a class found in this
country, the production of which,
however, is still in the initial stages.
This is particularly true of numerous
basic materials used in the chemical
industries. which were formerly vast
ed. but are now partially utilized
The peculiarly fortunate position of
the United States in its ability to sup
ply its own needs is clearly seen from
a survey of its production and rela-
tive contributions to 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
porduced foodstuffs, our vast area OF
2-3 million square miles represent
ing every variety of climate and pro-
duetion and being nearly equal in ex-
tent to all Europe which has a popu-
lation five times that of this country.
Agriculture in the United States has
not yet reached the stage of scientific
development common to many coun-
tries of Europe, and present domestic
production may therefore be expected
to increase greatly with more atten-
ton to improved methods of culture.
Nevertheless our country already pro
duces over 211 billion bushels of corn,
or two thirds of the world supply.
This years wheat crop is estimated at
irl,
bushels, about 20 per cent. of the
world harvest. The United States
also produces annually over one bill
lion bushels of oats, or one-fourth of
the International yield, and 1877 million
gallons of cottonseed oil, representing
most. of the annual output of this arti-
Gle whose food value as a substitute
for olive oil is becoming more and
more recognized. Fifteen per cent
OF the worlds cattle are on American
farms, the number in ttAs country
being So million, or twice as many as
in Argentina or European Russia ana
half the number in India. Our
country also has so million swine, so
million sheep. and "a million horses.
We import, however, billion pounds
OF sugar (chiefiy Cuban), or ia times
the amount produced in continental
United States and it's island terri
tories.
In plafhinc
States is also favored, producing an
nually over IA million bales of cotton,
representing over one-half of the
worlds supply Of wool we produce
400 million pounds a year, our home
requirements being supplemented by
2Ss million pounds of foreign wool and
81 million dollars worth of wooden
goods.
In the mineral kingdom, the pre-
eminent position of the United States
Is unquestioned. We produce, for
example, 534 million short tons of coal;
40 per cent. of the worlds output;
23S million barrels of petroleum, two
thirds of the worlds total; and 81
million tons Of iron ore, out of
world total of 1872 million. One-half
OF the worlds copper is taken from
American mines. which turned out IA
million pounds in 1912. OF the worlds
output Of 46s million dollars worth of
gold, the United States produced
about 20 per cent. being exceeded
only by South Africa About % per
cent. of the worlds silver and 80 per
cent OF its lead are produced in this
country. In the value of manufac-
lures the United States leads the
world, though the product of Ameri-
can factories is chiefly consumed at
home. OF the 2o.7 billion dollars
worth of manufactures produced in
the United States in 1909, only about
per cent. were sold to foreign coun-
tries. the world market for iron and
steel products, cotton goods, chemi-
calls. and other important products of
industry being thus far laroeI,, taI6