Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1896-06-09

: f-'s
credit for one hundred dollars,
according to his own statement.
He asked US to think over the
matter and give our conclusions
in Willmar Tribune.
Now we are ourselves directly
interested, in farming and farm
values. We are as anxious to
discover a silverlining to the pre-
sent dark cloud hanging over
our ruined farming industry as
any man living. We would to
God that we could find reasons
to speak hopefully Of the future
to our farmers. In renumera-
tive farming lies our own bust
ness prosperity directly and in
directly.
But we believe as princi-
pie, and have learned by expert
ence that it is always the best in
the long run to tell the truth as
far as we know it, even if the
truth is against our own, and the
inquirers wishes.
We know no way of Judging
the future except by the ex-
perience of the past. Like caus-
es produces like results. Two
years ago we predicted the con-
tinuance of low and lower prices
for farm product, if the present
monetary policy was continued.
1t has come true. Our Republi-
can brethren predicted better
times for the farmer and bust
ness revival if they gained a sig
nal victory. Their prediction
has not yet proved true.
Thus time and passing events
are dem onstrating the correct
ness of our economic views.
And every day experience is the
infallible test of every theory in
political economy as we'll as all
practical sciences.
After a careful survey Of the
wheat market past and present
we see no hope for higher wheat
prices in the future. There may
be slight speculative rises, but
until the money volume of the
world is increased there will he
no permanent rise in wheat
prices. The worlds production
Of wheat was low last year. It
is apt to be much more this
year, and if so, look out for IS
cent wheat next fall. The pric-
es of other farm product such as
flax, butter, pork and beef, is
more subject to control by do:
nestle conditions, and more apt
to fluctuations than wheat. But
as thousands of wheat farmers
are going to raising them much
more extensively than formerly
there is apt to be a glutted mar.
ket and lower range Of prices
1t is our candid opinion that
the bottom of hard times for the
farmer has not been reached yet.
nor will it likely be for several
years to come, no matter what
political party wins at the polls
next fall. ,. Under our present
monetary system there is no hope
for better prices agricultural pro.
duct, and almost positive certain.
ty of still lower prices. And the
prospect Of changing it for an
adequate volume of money will
probably be an uphill job, even
if the free silver forces should
win the day, which is to say the
least problematical as yet.
Farmers if they want to float
must reduce expenses where.
ever possible. Hire no help that
can be avoided. Buy nothing
that is not absolutely needed.
1t does not pay to work land now
when a farmer must hire the
work done. Economy, close iv.
ing, and no more land than the
farmer and his own family can
work is the only way to farm
nowadays and will be for some
time to come. =. .
How long these hard times
shall continue depends on the
farmers them selves. If they
have the intelligence and cour-
age to demand protection for
their industry like the manufac:
turers they can get it. The
They constitute 45 per cent OF