The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-07-19
ANXIETY OVER CORN CROP.

"A y n Ell O\ Elk CONN ShoI.
| There seems to be a difference of opln-
ion as to the size of the corn crop promised
| this year, and accordingly good deal of
speculation as to the effect which crops
| will have upon general business condi-
tions. The corn crop is large and grow
ing factor in the export trade of the
country, as well as in the prosperity of
| farming communities in the Middle West.
1t is estimated this year at 2,000,O00,0O0
bushels, as against wheat crop of about
zoo, 000,000. Last year the Government
| estimated that the corn crop was worth,
on the farms, $151 100000, as against
1928 900, 900 for the wheat crop and $351,
100000 for the cotton crop. The hay
crop was estimated as worth $445 800, 900.
Thus it will be seen that among agrlcul-
tural staples the corn crop is nearly twice
as valuable as any other one crop. A
| total or partial failure of the corn crop
would thus have a marked effect upon the
prosperity of the country. The revenues
of Middle West farmers would be greatly
cut down and their demand for Eastern
goods would thus be curtailed. By the
usual commercial action and reaction,
general business conditions would be affec-
ted.
The condition of the corn crop, then, be-
comes an interesting, if not IA vital, ques-
ton. Government reports are cheering
There is prospect for an unprecedented
yield of wheat, and the corn crop is ex-
pected to break the record. The disturb
ing circumstance is that these estimates
were made up before the present spell of
scorching weather and parching winds
There are disquieting rumors that this
unfavorable weather is doing serious
damage in the corn fields of Missouri,
Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois. 1t
is natural that reports of damage by
weather conditions should be exaggerat-
ed. The farming community is so Deepen
dent upon favorable weather conditions
that every change is watched with the
greatest anxiety. Pessimism seems to be
| characteristic of the tiller of the SOIL and
| if he sees conditions the indefinite con-
tinuation of which would prove ruinous
| he is likely to think that the ruin has been
| wrought already This feeling must
| necessarily influence the reports now
| coming from the corn belt 1t is pro-
bable that no great damage has yet been
| done. 1t is quite certain, however, that a
continuation of the unprecedented heat
in the West will seriously curtail the
corn crop. Only he who can accurately
| forecast the weather can tell, therefore
| whether business conditions will be in
fuenced by very large or by short
| corn crop.
| New York financiers are looking with
more or less anxiety toward the West
They own much of the stock of the So
called granger roads, which are affect
ed directly by a large or a small crop of
corn. They have interests, too, in the
great factories which will supply the
West with goods, and the size of the corn
| crop will measure the extent of demand
for factory products from the grain sec
| ton. 1t all shows that the interests of
| all Industrial classes in the nation are
indisolubly bound together, and the short
ness of crops means something to the
Eastern fnancier as well as to the farmer
on the Kansas prairie.-Baltimore Ne,cs
"FKEE SILVER is DEAD"
Free silver as an issue is absolutely
dead in the West. l do not believe it will
be mentioned in the Democratic platform
or campaign of 1904. The feeling among
the democrats in the West is that they
want to win, and do not care a rap what
kind of platform they have as long as ii
brings victory"
This summing up of the situation in the
former free silver States beyond the Miss
issippi was not uttered by Wall street
advocate of the gold standard, but by
Charles A. Towne, of Minnesota, the
leader of the Silver Republicans, who
gave the West to Bryan in his first cam
paign, says a dispatch to the Baltimore
San from New York. Mr.. Towne left his
party because he said he believed nothing
could save the country from destruction
in its hands. The reasons which he gave
for this belief would fill small library
He urged his arguments with an eloquenct
which won for him the title of ''the silver
tongued."
| Circumstances sometimes modify opin
ions, and free silver no longer exercise:
the fascination over Mr. Towne that i
formerly possessed. He has been in this
city several days financing a Texas oi
company of which he is president. Thi!
company is capitalized at S2,00O,000. an.
Mr.. Towne predicts that it will yield 10t
per cent. year
Mr.. Towne was bitterly disappointed
when he failed to receive the Democratic
nomination for Vice President at Kansa
City last July. After the Democratic de
feat Mr.. Townes services were recognized
by an appointment to fill a short vacanc.
, in the United States Senate He wen
back to Washington, where, as a Repre-
sentative, he had delivered the last speed
made in advocacy of flee silver. He mad
one speech in the Senate before he retired
on March 4, but silver was not his theme
) He then turned his attention to bushes
and is now rated as a millionaire.
Il believe that the platform adopted b,
the next Democratic National Convention
will be reactionary," said Mr.. Towne
while on his way downtown to day to fin
ish his business before returning to Texas
) Il expect to see David B. Hill nominate
, for President, and would not be at al
surprised if Mr.. Bryan should lead a fac
ton composed of the elements which still
uphold the principles of the Chicago an
Kansas City platforms. There is stron
feeling in the West in favor of the nomi
nation of Mr.. Hill, or some other ma
, | from tho East The Democrats there ar