The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-16

to our farmers in time OF scarcity, that
inquiry was naturally followed. in many
quarters, whether such a situation nigh,
not become permanent. The problem is
attractive. Its solution on such basis
would certainly help in settling some OF
this countries financial and political
troubles If our wheat farmers could
once become undisputed masters OF the
market, able 10 fix the price of grain
and bread at will, We should presum-
ably hear more OF agricultural discon-
tent. Our organs would talk TO empty
benches even in restless Kansas. and We
predict with confidence that Senator
Wolcott AMI his travelling companions
would find themselves out of job.
Mr.. c. Wood Davis undertakes 10 set
tie the preliminaries to this agreeable
situation in his article in this months
Forum on the impending deficiency Of
breadstuffs." We must admit that he
does ii cleverly enough; and that his
array OF figures and statistics is 50 far
plausible that until they are weighed
and examined closely the reader might
very easily imagine himself on the
ISIS contention is that the bread-eating
population of the world has increased
some 81 IL percent. since 1871, and is
increasing progressively, whereas "the
area employed in growing wheat, rye.
speit, maslin, and buckwheat is now two
million acres less than fifteen years ago.
and but twenty million acres greater
than in 1871" His conclusion is that
"ehe greatest crop ever grown would
not meet present requirements and
that the world, in order simply TO meet
each years increasing needs, must
henceforth annually add one-half more
acres than ever before" AS TO what
would happen "if the world should, az
is by no means improbable, again har-
vest in succession three such crops as
those OF 1879, 1850, and 1884," Mr.. Davis
simply shakes his head pessimisticaUy.
Now we do not mean TO underestimate
the possible gravity of the grain situa-
ton, If another generally deficient har-
vest were to come on the heels of this
years depletion OF reserves. But we
must, nevertheless. confess to wonder
ing IL Mr.. Davis reasoning is correct.
where the worlds wits have been these
last ten years. We shall not concern
ourselves with more or less vague con-
lecture on the geometrical increase in
population, or with the unit of con-
sumption" Surprising these figures to
be accurate, and assuming that cereal
production, thirteen years ago, was fall
ing to keep pace with increase in con-
suming population. what would our own
farmers have been about in reducing
their acreage, since 1891 especial. some
thing like million acres annually? The
practical farmer will answer that he
found hard to sell his wheat except at
steadily declining prices. and that he.
therefore, followed the usual rule, and
curtailed production. But this only shifts
the difficulty further on. II there was
really not enough wheat TO go around,
why did prices decline? We should have
been disposed, on the basis OF Mr.. Davis
reasoning to look ssuspiciously a, the
''crime Of -1S73,'' which is always a con-
venient scrapegoat for grain market an
omalies. But Mr.. Davis himself assures
US that, with one notable exception. the
economic condition of the bread-eatins
populations has improved since $780,
and the one exception is Russia, where
the crime OF 1873 has been VIGOROUSLY
slow in getting in its deadly work.
Apparently. therefore. We are left 70
this somewhat perplexing chain Of rea.
soning. During a series OF years, the
worlds consuming population materially
increased. but it found no difficulty
q IN a ir7i- re
on advantageous grounds During the |
same period. supplies Of grain unsold in
storehouses increased so rapidly that the !
price OF grain declined almost 70 the !
limit OF prof; on production. Neverthe- !
less. IL the worlds grain acreage is not !
henceforth increased continuously, and /
twice as rapidly as heretofore, immed- !
late disaster awaits US. We should be ;
sorry for the farmer who had to adopt !
this line OF argument as his business |
rule.
The simple and perfectly obvious |
truth of the matter is no such continu-
Gus deficiency In production mas existed I
or is in the least likely 10 exist This !
truth IS amply demonstrated, not by any
"a oles of population and Production
both OF which are sure 20 be imperfect
but by the very trade phenomena u I
which Mr.. Davis makes appeal: the re-
peated rise OF the unsold stock 90 grain 4
10 enormous figures, the Intermittent:
decline in prices, and the reduction OF
acreage in this country as a cOnss
luence. The grain trade. like all other
trades. is well aware that years ot rela-
5x-o 40 al
Reproduction are sure 10 follow one an
other al reasonable intervals. The fac,
u overproduction is reflected in any
1larke; BY accumulation of unSold sup
plies. ana 50 long as such an immense
stock overhsngs the market
prices vii tal until profit % production
8 seriously cat doyn. But this si.ua-
,ioo brings lis OWL logical remedy. Il
the market has actually approached the
inc Z: loss in p-odGcti0n-xheiher
hat market be for .-on. cotton goods.
n grain-production vii be reduce
Intil consumption mas caught Up with
Z again: in othe- words. until the sur
Plus visible supply has Amos: vanished
Nhen tais mas happened, prices viii
-ise again through the competition q
consumers An acciien; u nature. slc5
Is those 0. 1895 ard 1897. may re5u-e
AVAILABLE supplies % grain s,il further.
Ind correspoaiing,y advance the pre-
But the! check 70 al This movement Vii
one IN is ,ura IN precisely such exten-
son OF p-oi9ction. such increase q the
VOLTS grain acreage, as Sas Witnessed
Alter 1867, after 1879. after 1881. and as
5 now being Witnessed. according %
he agricultural returns. Oh cur eva
winter farms