The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-12
THE REAL ECONOMISTS.

During the past two weeks two schools
of economists have been holding inter-
esting sessions in this city. The econo-
mists of the universities and colleges
came first. They called themselves econ
omists. They read a great many papers
and Joined in extended discussions. The
papers generously gave them their space.
Those who were here last week did not
call themselves economists, much less
sociologists. If the Journal should pro-
claim them economists they would
doubtless disclaim the honor. In their
own estimation they are simply practi-
cal people who come together occasion
ally to swap experiences. They did not
discuss monetary questions, nor did they
devote lectures to disclosing the evils
and wrongs of the world, real and mag
mary, or their probable causes. Probably
few of them ever heard Of the syllogism
with artificial and dogmatic premises
and it's crushing conclusion. They could
not discuss the thisness-of-the-that or
argue that business depression is due in
a large part to the savings bank and the
loan association.
Possibly because they did not devote
themselves to the discussion of theories
they will not be allowed to be counted
among the economists of the times.
Nevertheless, the Journal insists that
they really deserve the chief seats in
such concourses when classification
shall be made along the lines Of prac-
teal usefulness The values of land in
Indiana have been enhanced millions Of
dollars by drainage, and they will be en-
HANGED millions Of dollars more as meth
DDS OF drainage and irrigation are i'm
proved The leaders IN this creation of
wealth are economists. They are seek
ing better methods, and by experiment
have found them. They were here last
week to tell others about them. They
will go out to ninety-two county farm
Piles of university extension. Hog chol-
era would not be regarded as a nice
theme for a professed economist, but
many industrious men have been finan-
cially crippled because it has carried off
a little drove of hogs representing sea-
sons corn crop. Those who can give the
farmers of the corn belt remedy or a
preventive would save them twelve or
fifteen million dollars annually. The
farmers of Indiana lose by the plague
two and half millions Of dollars year.
This topic was discussed and the RENE
dies of men Of experience given during
the sessions of last week. If the saving
of two and half millions Of dollars to
Indiana farmers does not come under
| the head of practical economics, what
shall it be called?
One session was devoted to considera-
ton Of plans and experiments designed
to carry into the social life OF agricul-
tural neighborhoods the culture and re-
finement which comes from reading and
discussion of the best literature What,
in the vagueness Of the sociology set
forth in the lectures and the treatises of
schools. can lay so valid a claim to a
practical effort to elevate a large ele-
ment in society as this organization Of
the reading circle?
| There can be no objection to the pre-
sentation OF theories by men who give
their attention to economic questions,
| but It h insisted that those institutions
which are often sneered at as machine