Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-12-29
CHALLENGESHILL
STATEMENTS
|IAYOR OF SPOKANE OBJECTS TO
SWEEPING CHARGES OF
RAILWAY MAN.
pennies That Farmers Are Responsible
For High Cost of Living.


SPOKANE, Wash. Dec. 20 Nell
on S. Pratt. mayor of Spokane,
nccessful farmer and lumberman in
he Missippi valley and the Pacific
northwest, takes exception to the
weeping statement by James ]. Hill
hat the present high cost of living
] chargeable to the extravaganza,
arelessness and lack of thrift of the
gricultural classes of the country,
hying:
Il am more than surprised that a
pan with the understanding and OBJ
ervation of Mr.. Hill should under
like to make such broad charges in
lew of the fact that the methods of
quarter of "a century ago are not
be compared to the present sys-
EN- of farming. There is nothing to
ear out Mr.. Hills. contentious.
las result of a recent visit to
everal of the largest districts in the
middle, western and Pacific states,
! m prepared to say there has never
been a time when general farming
vas conducted along more economical
ines than at present. In fact, the
Methods of today are marvels to
hose who farmed land in the SOS.
lad we been as skilled and thorough
hen as are the farmers of today.
We certainly would have been equal
b successful.
1T is not overstating the case when
say that the modern grower con-
lucts his farm along the same lines
hat prevail in a well organized bus
ness establishment, and as result
be is not only making a good living
hnd educating his children, but is
hlso putting money into improve
ments, as we'll as into the bank.
1T is idle talk to charge the high
eost of living to the farmer, as it
must be plain to any one who has
studied the subject that at least three
eauses contribute to increasing prices
pr the necessities of life. The large
production of gold during the last
Jew years is an important factor, in
hat it has resulted in making money
Fheap. and, to great extent, no
ioubt. is responsible for increases in
prices. Cheap money means high
prices.
Perhaps the greatest factor in the
high cost of living is the tariff which
Enables manufacturers to combine
Rnd compel the consumers to pay
enormous and unreasonable prices
Such farm products as beef and pork
Rre controlled entirely by the so
Failed beef trust, while butter
Eggs, cheese and poultry are han.
died by cold storage companies and
kindred combinations, and the prices
of cereals are fixedlargely by the spec
ulative boards of trade.
AS a matter of fact, while in th'
mississippi valley a short time ago
found that the prices of butter. eggs
cheese and poultry are nearly as higl
there as they are. on the Pacifi
coast. where the demand at presen
is far greater than the supply.
also learned from reliable source
that these products are almost en-
tirely controlled by combinations an,
not by the producers.
Il hold no brief for the farmers O
the country. but from an experience
OF almost a lifetime as farmer, Dor
and raised on a farm. | know tina
the system employed during my tim
holds no comparison to the presen
methods of farming. Extensive ayr
culture. with the use of water sur
piled by artificial means, was the
largely an experiment. and so-calle
dry farming. or more properly so
and moisture conservation, was in II
very infancy. These methods al
successes today. The agriculture