Year: 1878

WHY CAN'T IT BE DONE.

 We have not gone to the trouble to obtain the exact figures, but we would say as rough estimate, that there are Five Hundred wagons per year shipped up the Fort Smith road wagons manufactured in Niche gan, Illinois, and other distant States. Now, why can not we have an exten- sive wagon factory started at some point on this road, and have our own native timber utilized--timber much better and tougher than that used in the manufacture of these imported wagons? Why cannot we have an es- tabllshment of this kind here, and have the money paid to workmen on these wagons disbursed here in our midst? Why not have it here and save to our people the great sum which is paid for fire ight on these I'm ported wagons?

 We see no reason why this could not and should not, be accomplished. If our merchants and dealers in agri- cultural and farming implements would just say to the foreign firms who are supplying this market with wagons. blows, &c., Here, gentlemen we need your wagons, and your blows, but we cannot afford to,patron- ize you while you are so far away from us; when the freight is so heavy on your goods, and when you will nos invest dollar in any enterprise in our State; if you want to supply us just establish branch manufacturing establishments here closer to us, so that we can get your goods at manu- facturers' prices, without paying so much freight and two or three profits to dealers who come in between the consumer ard the manufacturer" (These profits made by dealers are very small to be sure-hardly suf1i- cient to pay for handling the goods, and the dealers are foolish for hand ling them when there is neither prof it to themselves or thelr customers in lt-but when we take the freight, the small profit to dealers, and all these expenses, foot them up and it adds considerable to the cost of wagons and implements. and our consumers have to stand it. Say to them that we have good timber here, a healthy climate, plenty of good wholesome food for operatives; cheap homes for them; and invite these manufactur- ing gentlemen to establish their branch works here, so that our coun. try may derive some profit and nour- ishment from the hundreds oi thous- ands of dollars which we pay to their establishments every year. By a concert of action of this kind we think the object might be obtained. And if we cannot induce these gen tlemen to invest something in our country, let us quit using their prod ucts, and put our. strength together and start factories of our own. Mon- ey will always be scarce with us as long as we keep it flowing north and east in one never ending stream for a class of goods which ought to be produced here at home. Our people will always be hard run and poor as long as they have to pay so much above manufacturers prices for their tools and implements. This is one reason why Indiana, Iowa, Niche gan and Illinois farmers can produce farm products and afford to take so much less price for them. They get all their implements, tools and sup plies at small margin above manu. facturers cost. They pay no big freights and their implements do not pass through so many hands.

 Can not and will not our people think seriously of this matterY

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