The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-23
THE JAY4AWKER OF SUNFLOWERDOM

has been series of crops far above the
average, for which the people have Sc
cured exceptional returns. Corn and
wheat have brought more to the farmers
during this period than even the most
sanguine would dare to hope could be
realized in the seven years to come. Corn
fed cattle and hogs. and in fact all other
/ feed crops that have been fed to live
stock, have brought most satisfactory
profits to those so disposing OK them. It
Is only natural that these unusual results
from land have led to marked increase
In land values. for land is worth that
! upon which IL will bring satisfactory net
returns
, 1t is not from the products OF the land
| alone that Kansas has prospered during
these years. all articles manufactured
within the state have commanded good
prices and have brought good returns 10
those having money invested in such en-
terprises-~ in southwest Kansas the min
erai interests OF the-state have been de-
veleped TO an unprecedented extent Coaf
and zinc have been mined in large guam
titles and brought satisfactory prices. Oil
and gas fields have been developed and
added immensely to that portion of the
state.
All these things have combined 20 tempt
the average citizen TO speculate. and spec
ulation is the first step toward a land
and town lot boom. The experience OF
the late SOS and early SOS is so fresh in
, the minds OF the oid-time Kansans that
up until the present this tendency has not
I 40
stood out against it: the solid. substan-
tial business men Of the state have in
sisted upon conservatism.
But everything now points to an unpre-
cedented year in the state. The wheat
! crop already harvested viii net the farm
ers $4,000. 600 or s40O00.0oo. The corn crop.
though not matured. promises by direct
sale and by returns after being fed TO
hogs and cattle. TO bring twice as much.
Other agricultural and feed products will
be produced in abundance and at will
command good prices. The state is full
of cattle. hogs and other stock. much of
which within the year will be ready for
the market. The question is. what will
the people do with the money? It's very
presence in such unusual quantities is a
very conditions that may later bring dis
aster TO the state
There has never been a time in the
states history when conservatism Is more
in demand: when the banker should exer-
else greater care than now; when the
business man who wants 10 see this pros
perity continue. should stand frmer for
conservatism. The man who is out Of
debt. and who does not go In debt. Is not
likely to make bad investments: but the
/, one who Is in debt, or who utilities his
credit upon the theory that these good
times are going to grow better. is likely
to find himself experimenting with fire.
Wheat, which for a term Of years has
yielded abundantly, NAV AZ any time not
only be a partial or total failure. but
have to be sold AT q reduced price. Corn
that has averaged well for unusual
number of years. may not have TO be sold
fc- less money. Cattle which have been
I'm demand at cents. and hogs at about
the same. may one Of these days have to
be sent TO the market for % per cent less
and when that time comes the value II