Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-11-17
DR.. WITHYcoMBE's ADDRESS.
Competitive Markets Factors in
Agriculture.

Splendid address by our fellow
citizen during the sessions OF the
Willamette Valley Development
League at the meeting of that
body last Saturday in McMinn-
vile, as follows:
The Pacific Northwest is un-
doubtedly entering upon the
greatest era of commercial de-
velopment ever known on the
coast. Geographically, Oregon
is most favorably located, and her
coast should be the commercial
zone for the populous centers of
the world. Every condition con-
ducive to the upbuilding of the
greatest maritime commerce can
be found here, as her coast is
studded with harbors from the
mouth of the Columbia to Coos
Bay, and her farms, forests and
mines are teeming with rational
wealth, These natural endow-
ments, if properly safe-guarded,
wlllsupport large and prosperous
population.
But there should be an honor
able effort made for an equitable
distribution of this natural wealth
among the various industrial
classes. The OK, which treads
out the corn, should not be muz
zled, neither should the farmer,
lumberman and miner be depriv-
ed Of a just proportion of the
value of the products of their
labor and skill. The laborer is
worthy of his hire, but in these
days of selfish commercialism the
reward for his industry is tre-
quently small.
This brings up the question
of markets. A market to be a
market in fact as well as in
name, is place where an equit-
able exchange is consummated.
If the producer of the commodity
is deprived of his just proportion
of the value of his article, pro-
dnction is discouraged. In the
absence of competition markets
are prone to become unfair.
There is a widespread feeling
that the markets for live stock
and some other agricultural com
modities of this state ale unfai,
to the producer. The price paie
to the producer and the cost t.
the consumer is frequently alb
surdly disproportionate.
Portland by reason of her loca
tion, should be the greatest com
mercial city of the Paci6a coast
Her destiny, however, rest
wholly in her ability to develop
attractive markets. Every loya
citizen is proud of her fnancia
achievements and her standin;
among the cities OF the coast
But has shelshown that solicitud
for the welfare of the country t
which it is entitled? Is not he
market policy an illiberal one il
many respects? Has there bee
any concerted effort on the pa1
of the business interests for tn
establishment of an up-to-dat
abattoir? The live stock industr
of this state is capable of assum
ing immense proportions if al
torded the proper encouragement
The steer and the hog bui
Chicago, the fifth greatest city i
the world. The COW, steer an
hog will make Portland th
greatess city on the Pacific Goa!
if given an opportunity. But
reach this, present market COT
ditions must be revolutionizee
, Not only should the local trade
supplied, but outside markets I
invaded as well. Closer margi
and greater volume of busine:
should be the motto of the pacl
er. Today the farmers and stoc
men scarcely receive the cost
production for their animal
while the consumer is charge
good prices. It's this illiber
policy that discourages the livt
stock industry.
There is a wholesome cor
petitive market for the produc
of the dairy and prices are sati
factory to the producers. Th
is due to the competition betwee
the condensers for milk and II
creameries for butter fat. The,
is, however, heavy hand p1ac
on this industry by the manip
4