The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-12-27


sion Of the last months of 1907 and the
first half of 1908 with flying eolors. and
now faces the new year with credit I'M
impaired, with confidence mistaken and
with a brighter outlook than ever be-
fore. This happy condition at the time
of taking the inventory at the close of
the year is due 70 the splendid resources
of the state: to the conservatism of the
men at the head of all important local
business Institutions, and to the fact
that the chief industries of the state are
based upon foundations of solid worth
and not fictitious values.
The financial panic that brought
wreck TO many of the business centers
OF the country left its mark upon Titan,
but aside from retardins many
meritorious enterprises by the with
drawal Of outside capital no serious or
lasting damage has been done in the
state. The bad effects of the panic and
the depression that followed it were
more seriously felt. Mercantile houses,
banks and other large business institu-
tons simply drew III their lines and
awaited the passing of the storm.
Lighter buying was done in eastern
markets: less money was let out by To-
cal banks for development work where
the element of chance figured even in
the slightest degree; tight brakes were
put upon practically every branch of
industry. Yet in spite of this policy OF
repression Utah made a good record for
the year. a record that viii show up
well in comparison with that of any
other western state.
Mining Receivers Quickly.
To those who do not look beyond the
metal output of the mines or the divi-
dends paid by the mining companies the
years record will make a bad showing,
but this is not all the story. Low prices
of the precious metals and the tighten
ing up of outside capital had a depres-
sing effect upon mining throughout the
greater part of the state. The bad eff
feet of these influences was felt espe-
cially in the new districts whose future
depends upon properties not yet fully
developed. 1t is shown also in the re-
duced production OF ore and the smaller
dividends from the old reliable proper
ties, the owners holding that it was bet
ter to let the ore remain where it was
than to extract and market it at a loss
because of the low prices.
And yet there Is a bright side to the
picture. Work has gone forward in
the great camps of the state in defiance
of all represSive influences; the record
of production and dividends. although
far below that Of the year previous. rs
still good one; the feeling is general
that the depression is at an end and
that the increased demands of the re-
viving industries throughout the coun-
try will result in better metal prices;
and the Utah men who make the mines
and who add each year millions to the
tangible wealth of the world are facing
the now year ready to take ADVANTAGE
of the returning prosperity.
Great Wealth From the Farms.
From farms, ranches and ranges great
wealth rolled in during 1908. The sea-
son throughout was especially favorable
TO the production of crops and the care
OF animals There was sufficient rain
fall 10 insure good dry farm crops; ir-
rigation was carried to greater lengths
than ever before; improved methods of
farming, coupled with better breeds OF
farm animals, brought splendid returns
10 the agriculturists.
While much of the fruit in nearby
states was Killed by late frosts. Utah
fruit raisers enjoyed unusual prosperity.
They jumped into the breach, and from
their Overladen orchards they filled the
gap in the eastern markets left by the
failure of the crops in neighboring
states Better organization and better
methods of caring for the trees and
handling the fruit added materially to
the profits of Utah orchardists. In these
respects 1905 was the banner year.
Good crops of hay and all kinds OF
grain, both on the dry and irrigated
farms. was the rule throughout the en-
tire extent of the state. Sugar beets
yielded splendid profits and added ma
terially to the prosperity of the state.
Good prices for all farm products. in
GLIDING fruit and vegetables, prevailed
throughout the year
Sheep, Horses and Cattle.
Tho revolution brought about in the
Sheep industry of the state by the work
ing out OF plans for the storage of wool
Tor better prices is one of the most in
terestinS developments of the day.
Great things are anticipated from this,
Doth IN the way of better prices for the
wool clip and the better organization OF
me sheepmen- The herds of the state
are IN fine condition. free from disease
and well fed because Of more systematic
pasturing- Cattle had good year in
1905 and the owners have no cause for
complaint. Good prices prevailed. and
although the ranges of the state are
limited. the figures given elsewhere on
this branch OF industry make a credit
able showing. This statement holds
good also as to horses. hogs and poul-
try. Better breeds are raising the stand
ard year after year and adding to the
profits of the ranchman and cattle own
ar. The fact that the home consuup-
Assessed Va uation of property in u