On October 1. 1890. the tariff act put on the free list manila. sisal. jute. and jute butts. with the result that the Industry has steadily declined since. notwithstanding the largely Increased demand for fibers. With the increase in price. however. land rents and labor have also advanced. and the American farmer who is producing hemp Is in no better condition. The fact is that he Is forced to meet on equal footing the pauper labor of Indialabor that Is satisfied with 2 cents to 5 cents per day. Or. to make the comparison in another way. the preliminary report of the Department for 1908 shows Importation from India to be 107.533 tons. which is valued at $6.504.920. or $60.50 per ton. The American production averages about one ton to 21 acres. and figuring on $60.50 from India the American farmer must compete with a gross income of $24.20 per acre. while In America seed and labor will cost the American farmer from $22 to $25 per acre. and to this must be added land rent. averaging probably $15 per acre.
Identified stereotypes
Indian laborers are described as 'pauper labor' satisfied with extremely low wages.