Arizona republican., 1908-03-05
VOLUME OF BUSINESS
 SIX MONIES RECORD
Decidedly Strong Testimony That Things Are Moving in the Right Di- rection in the Salt River Valley

Almost everything in this world is comparative and the only way one can determine either progress or retrogres- sion is by making comparisons. Every body familiar with conditions in this valley, knows that they are better than ever before. but even the best informed cannot appreciate how much better without recalling the facts of other days and then studying the pie Eure that is now presented.
 That a farmer is doing well on an eighty acre ranch, can sell out for at least S100 an acre any day he wants to, and is making 9 per cent on his in . vestment at that valuation, does not seem especially impressive for that is about what everybody hopes to make when he goes into an undertaking. But when it is remembered that in most places only one man in a hundred works up to his expectations the effect is stronger. When it is further remem- bered that only a few years ago right here in this valley. nobody achieved what he set out to do and many lost practically all they had, the contrast is about as noticeable as that between statue and moving picture The only trouble in the past was lack of water. The change has been wrought by an abundance of it and a positive assurance that the abundance will continue.
 Where in the old days every farmer was losing money in these days all are making money unless handicapped by some abnormal obstacle like a heavy previous debt, sickness, misfortune or zir arl, 1,a made a sale once a month on credit Now he makes many every month and gets a snug part of the consideration in cash. And where there was one agent before there are half a dozen now. Formerly the merchant sold gro- ceries on credit to the farmer because he had to- or see him starve. Now the merchant is kow towing to the rancher like the king of Korea does to the em- perCr of Japan. Formerly about all the money the banks could make was by accommodating the poor devil in town and country. who had to have money. even if half his investment had to go to save the other half. And this is no criticism of the banker. for it is the bank usage necessary to insure safety. The only unhappiness the common people had was that they were not all bankers and could not all be. In these days the banks are mak- ing a great deal more money than be- fore, just as the farmers are, and mal- ing it on the "surplusses" of the depositors instead of on their neces- sities. In other words the depOsitors are able to do a little investing on their own account and the banks. do the business. It is an ali round feel ing of satisfaction and everybody loves everybody else. even his banker.
 Referring to improved conditions. the bank statement issued by the Val ley Bank of Phoenix February II, as compared to a statement issued six months before, furnishes food for thought and ones mental digestion does not have to be very robust either 10 assimilate the truth. While enjoy ing the repasr one should bear in mind that this includes the panic period. The Phoenix banks while pumping along on the turnpiks of pros perity masticated their portion of tn" panic without batting an eye and swallowed the bone with no sign of choking. They were scared a little of course as everybody is when some chump i1 the gallery yells fire. but there is no danger of a conflagration here when the government is on hand with an unlimited supply Of water.