The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-18

NO more gratifying news has been pub
iished IN the state Of Washington for some
years than that announcing the renewed
Inquiries for orchard and farm land. The
people Of other states who learn OF our
delightful climate VIII seize the frs, op-
portunity to leave the seventies CT the
North and the wind storms OF the Middle
states for Washington. There is no fear
OF too great population or too plentiful
production II the railroad companies only
take good business view OF the situation.
1t is well known that the farmers and
orchardists chief trouble aow is the want
OF profitable market. He is Isolated and
the freight rates are too high The rates
are high because OF the isolation. But
suppose Instead of few crates or a car
or so hauled from solitary farms many
miles apart. the land was 50 settled that
the railroad could put on a train OK cars
for the purpose: and on It's return bring
train load OF goods for the farmers. The
systematic handling Of the goods and the
bulk OF the consignment, together with
the increased return business would not
only reduce the rates. but enable the
farmer to command a market.
There is no better proof Of this, II any
were needed of what should be so general
ly known. to be found than in the orange
districts of California. The price of the
fruit Is more steady. and the market de-
mand more regular. in those regions where
the greatest number Of groves is congre-
gated. The isolated groves have 10 de-
pend upon more or less chance, and the
business is more hazardous.
II is stated that In Eastern Washington
hops are being contracted for at 10 cents
a pound: sheep are double the value of
last year. and that the price OF beef is
higher. The benefit OF better times has
not become general yet. but 1t Will; and a
very pertinent question may be now asked.
The Democrats affect 20 be very anxious
lest high prices shall Cypress the people.
We may ask. viii the people of the state
OF Washington be worse off with hops at
10 cents pound and the growers prosper
Gus than when they were cents pound
and the growers bankrupt v Ill the state
be worse off with sheep bringing a profit
TO the owner than when he was killing
them In order to save them from starva-
ton because they were not worth tending?
VIII the people generally be worse of be-
cause they have to pay a cent pound
more for beef than when cattle were being
killed 20 make fertilizers as the most
profitable use to which their carcasses
could be put?
There IS a sure indication Of the worlds
condition afforded by the rate OF interest
daily declared by the Bank OF England.
When the rate IS very high II means an
unhealthy condition. with excitement and
fear; when 1t Is very low II Is a sisn Of
stagnation and umidity. When the rate
is medium It is a sure evidence that there
is activity In business. a steady demand
and willing supply. The same may be
said OF prices for commodities. When
prices are too high there is scarcity and
fear Of want: when prices are too how it
indicates absence OF demand and duliness.
A fair. stiff price is a never failing pointer
that business is nvening up. That sign Is
showing now. and We may be sure that
this is going TO be a prosperous year.