East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-12-29

Spokane, Wash-Nelson S. Pratt,
mayor of Spokane, successful farm
er and lumberman in the Mississippi
valley and the Pacific Northwest.
takes exception to the sweeping state
ment by James j. Hill that the pres
ent high cost of living is chargeable
to the extravaganza, carelessness and
lack of thrift of the agricultural class
es of the country, saying:
"I am more than surprised that y
man with the understanding and OBJ
servation of Mr.. Hill should under
take to make such broad charges in
view of the fact that the methods of
quarter of century ago are not
to be compared to the present system
of farming There is nothing to
bear out Mr.. Hill's contentious.
"As result of a recent visit to
several of the largest districts in the
middle western and Pacific states. l
am prepared to say there has never
been time when general farming
was conducted along more economical
| lines than ut present In fact, the
methods of today are marvels to
those who farmed land in the SOS.
Had we been as skilled and thorough
then as are the farmers of today. we
| certainly would have been equally
successful.
1T is not overestimating the case
when | say that the modern grower
conducts his farm along the same
lines that prevail in well organized
business establishment. and as re-
suit he is NOT only making a good
living and educating his children. but
is also putting money into improve
ments, as we'll as into the bank.
Reasons for Increasing Prices.
1T is idle talk to charge the high
/ cost of living to the farmer, as II
studied the subject that at least three
causes contribute to increasing prices
of the necessities of life. The large
production of gold during the last few
years is an important factor, in that
K has resulted in making money
cheap. and. to a great extent, no
doubt. is responsible for Increases in
prices. Cheap money means high
prices.
Perhaps the gre9test factor in the
high cost of living is the tariff, which
enables manufacturers to combine
and compel the consumers to pay en-
ormous and unreasonable prices.
Such farm products as beef and pork
are controlled entirely by the so-called
beef trust" while butter, eggs,
cheese and poultry are handled by
cold storage companies and kindred
combinations, and the prices of cere-
ais are fixed largely by the speculative
boards of trade.
"As a matter of fact. while in the
Mississippi valley short time ago
found that the prices of butter. eggs,
cheese and poultry are nearly as high
there as they are on the Pacific coast,
where the demand at present is far
greater than the supply. l also learn
ed from reliable sources that these
products are almost entirely controll-
ed by combinations and not by the
producers.
Il hold no brief for the farmers OF
the country. but from an experience
of almost a lifetime as farmer, born
and raised on n farm, | know that the
: system employed during my time
holds no comparison to the present
methods of farming. Intensive agri-
culture. with the use of water sup
Piled by artificial means, was ther
largely an experiment. and so-called
dry-farming. or more properly sol
land moisture conservation. was in lts
very infancy. These. methods are
successes today The agricultural
colleges and experiment stations have
also been and are strong factors In
advancing the industry.
'T challenge Mr.. Hill to show any
period prior to 1894, when there Were
larger acre yields Of grain, fruit
grasses and roots than at present, and
with this l would also ask him Il
point to any year when the farmers
were more prosperous than they are
today. Extravaganza and lack o
: thrift and progress and prosperity dc
not go hand in hand, and that fac
. alone answers Mr.. Hills statement.