Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-24

Gamers supplies be included IN the
preferential list; and to the credit OF
the railroads, I want to say that their
prompt response to this appeal was of
great assistance, and as satisfactory as
could be expected. A further, or ex-
tended embargo on seeds at that time
would have beeen so serious that its
effect could not be estimated, and an
advance in food products the coming
season which would make them unat-
tainable by those Of moderate means,
and an expensive luxury for the
wealthy.
Extent Of Seed Business.
The extent Of the seed business may be
better understood when / tell you that
from one county in my own state, the
most northerly of the country, shipped
four thousand carloads, in 1916. and will
probably increase the shipments this
season. These were sent to nearly every
state In the Union. This raising of seed
in some particular locality and shipping
to other states is a very general prac-
tice, and it is of the greatest Importance
that no barriers should interfere with
transportation. 1 am confident that seed
for immediate use has been shipped. and
that there will be no further trouble
along these lines for the present, and for
planting the 1917 crop.
After satisfactory arrangements had
been made for transportation of seed, the
point was made that there was an actual
shortage of tin plate. The two secretaries
called a meeting of the tin plate manu-
facturers, which was held in Washington.
we'll attended. and practically represented
the entire tin plate industry. The tin
plate manufacturers nearly all stated
that they were working their mills to full
capacity, but that there had been an
unusual demand for tin plate. Secretary
Redf1eld, who presided over this meeting.
requested Sir Richard Crawford. Of the
British Embassy, to come before the
meeting. and the question Of pig tin was
discussed with him.
1t should be borne in mind that all the
pig tin which is used FOR the manufacture
of tin plate comes from Singapore, or
nearly all. These mines are controlled by
the British government, and the supply
Of tin allotted to each country In pro-
portion to its supposed needs. Shipments
Of pig tin are made from the Straits to
English ports and there reassigned to the
different countries.
During an interview with a prominent
English official in this country 1t was
stated that If single shipment of pig
tin was destroyed the tin plate mills
of
time.
This shows conclusively that there Is
no surplus Of pig tin in this country.
The request was made that future ship
ments of pig tin be made by way OF Pa
ciflc coast ports,, and this matter Is being
| investigated.
The two secretaries have addressed a
letter to all manufacturers of tin plate
which is to be distributed among the en-
ployees urging that in every possible way
they speed up the output OF the mills. a
. letter was also addressed to the secretary
of War and the secretary OF the Navy
requesting that when requisition Tor steel
| for the manufacture Of ammunition and
| other war supplies were made that re-
quest should accompany the same, urging
that the supply of steel needed for tin
Mate should not be interfered with and
there Is no doubt but that this reques,
will be observed.
Only One Thing Possible.
| In summing up the situation it seems
that the only thing possible in order to
| conserve the interests of the canning IN
dustry is the temporary suspension of the
use Of pig plate for other purposes than
that Of making containers for food, I'M
til a surplus is accumulated in the HANDS
of can manufacturers. Already the GOV
eminent and the Gamers are making an
| effort to conserve tin plate by reducing
to a minimum the packing of all nom
perishable foods. OF course they viii
continue to pack a certain amount OF this
because of its convenience, but 1t shows
the earnest manner in which this whole
subject is being approached by the GOV
eminent officials and the canning indus
| try.
To give a clearer idea Of the importance
of Withholding exports Of tin plate re"
| figures concerning the tin Industry and
the use Of tin in this country will not be
at this time, out of place. In eight
| months from July, 1916. to February, 1911
inclusive. we imported into this country
over 100000 pounds Of pig tin. valued at
more than s31.oooocc, as detailed in ths
| following table:
Imports Of tin in bars, pigs, etc, int
! the United States, by months. during
| the period from July 1915 to February
1917 inclusive.
1916 Pounds D Oh y,