The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-11-19
The Industrial Commission De-
clares They Are By Far
Too Conservative.
EFFECTS OF COMPETITION
Claims They Do Not Study Soil
and Climate in Trying
New Crops:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-The Indus
trial Commission today made public its
review of evidence taken before the
on the subjects of agricult-
ure and agricultural labor. Among
other subjects discussed is that of agri-
cultural depression, of which the com
mission speaks s.follows:
'The cause most often assigned for |
of agriculture in the East |
ern States is the increased production
due to the opening of the Western
lands in advance of the natural demand,
and especially through the agency of
liberal land laws and grants of land in
aid OF railroad construction. The COM
petition of the West has been rendered
especially severe by the policy of the
railroads in making freight rates rela-
lively low for long distances. The old
staple products had thus become profit
able in the East; it has been necessary
for the farmers to change their meth
cds and vary the character of their
crops, taking up especially the culture
Of products which are not easily trans
ported long distances. Thus, truck
farms have largely superseded cereal
growing along the Atlantic coast, but
farmers in the North Atlantic States
now complain of the severe competition
of States further south in this industry,
and much the same may be said of fruit
growing. Even so perishable COM
modify as milk is transported much
longer distances than formerly, since
the inroduction of refrigerator cars.
DON'T KEEP UP WITH THE TIMES.
Another cause which several witness
es assign for the unsatisfactory condi-
ition of agriculture in some parts of the
country is the conservatism of the
farmers, their lack of quick adjustment
to changed conditions and lack of effec-
tive business planning and management.
The farmers, as a class, have not kept
up with the times, but have raised the
same crops year after year without re-
Igard to changes in supply and demand.
This unique conservatism and lack OF
managing ability among farmers is es-
Ipecially emphasized with reference to
the Southern States, and is given as ar
Iexplanation of the too exclusive atten.
tion to cotton production prevailing
there.
"Another cause assigned for agricult
ural depression in the South is th'
scarcity of money, the difficulty of Dor
rowing on real estate security and th'
consequent high rates of interest. 1
seems to be possible, however, to borrov
money in the South at somewhat lowel
rate of interest than formerly. The de
cline in the price of cotton is, of course
an important element in the depression
of agriculture in the South. The In
efficiency of negro labor is assigned a
another cause. On the other hand
is affirmed that there is too much goo
, and cheap labor. An abuse of chea
l labor is said to be unfavorable to sue
cess of agriculture. as it results i
planting too large acreage and negleG
of personal attention by the planters.
"Against the charge that farmers ar
unduly conservative is put the counte
charge that they turn from one crop
another without sufficient regard to th
suitability of the climate and soil or th
conditions of the market.