The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-15
A PERNICIOUS POLICY.

\ short time ago an Alliance paper in
Southern Kansas published statement
to the effect that the wheat crop this
year will not average more than four
teen bushels to the acre. Perhaps we
have no right to question the sincerity
Of the writer of the statement, but it is
none tie less duty to deny it. Of
course everybody knows that some
farmers have the idea that if the i'm
preston can be created abroad that a
certain crop is failure or unusually
short, that it will have the effect to
stimulate the price of such crop upon
the market. The theory is plaus-
ible enough if such an under
standing could be made to apply
to all the states and sections
producing the crop in question, but un-
less that can be done the object is de-
feated, and instead of gaining an adj
vantage the scheme cannot but prove
serious detriment to the entire COM
muniiy where the expedient is reSorted
to. The reasons for this harmful effect
are manifold and obvious. and we will
only mention one or two.
In the first place, short crop Of a
leading staple is taken as proof positive
that money will be scarce in that com
munity, and the expected demand for
money from outside sources, on loans,
naturally increases the rate per cent. for
its use and all who require such out
side favors have the increase to bear,
whether farmers, or other industrialists,
or tradesmen, and it unavoidably be-
comes so much of au increase in the bur-
den the public must bear-the costs are
always figured up in fixing prices.
In the second place, crop failure or a
short crop in state or section unavoid-
ably deters home seekers, investors
and all manner of immigration, and this
i'll turn binders the progress of develop
ment and hampers the prosperity of the
state and community.
In view of these facts, that cannot be
gainsaid, and others that might be cited
the policy of decrying the material con-
NANAOAiS MN lAOSRNNbo Va - SOlllLi1uIlil IL
suicidal to say the least.
And it is shortsighted policy, for the
reason that those intended to be deceiv-
ed are not influenced in the slightest de-
gree. They have other and private
sources OF Information from which the
true situation is aScertained, and this is
used by them only in making up the
aggregate for the country at large, upon
which summaries prices are based. Be-
sides, the crop of single state cuts but
a small figure in the general result
of the years operations. The fact that
Kansas may have $4,000. 600 bushels of
wheat, or 10000, 600 bushels. will not
effect the price as much as a cent
bushels on the general market, one way
or the other.
The only way minimizing policy
could be worked successfully would lie
to secure thorough and complete concert
of action throughout the country among
the producers, and then cut of the
market people from all information re-
lating TO the crop except such as the
bear producers saw tit TO give out. Some
such plan as that might work for awhile.
but its benefits to those immediately in
in it would be eounterbalanced
by reaction IN other directions
ExaggeIatIon is not profitable as a line
of policy in any direction. To overesti-
mate is nearly as harmful as TO under
for the reason that persons who
may be influenced 70 act upon overdrawn
will find out the inposi-
ton sooner or later. and thiS viii render
such an one dissatisfied and often makes
an enemy of one whom the truth would /
have made a friend.
Kansas is too good state to be handi- |
capped by Misrepresentation. There are !
no grounds for il; there Is no excuse foi |
II that is worthy to be set up - an ex- /
cuse. With anything like fair treatment /
and fair show in the race. taking the 1
years and seasons as they come, no state |
can lead her in the certainty Of crops Or /
their average yield per acre.