The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1909-12-31
FARMER NOT TO BLAME.
Mayor Pratt Of Spokane Takes Excep-
lions to Statements Of
J. ]. Hill.


Nelson S. Pratt, mayor Of Spokane,
a successful farmer and lumberman in
the Mississippi valley and the Pacific
northwest, takes exception to the state
ment by James J. Hill, who says the
present high cost Of living is charge
able to the extravaganza, earelessness
and lack of thrift of the agricultural
classes of the country. Mayor Pratt
said:
II am more than surprised that a
man with the understanding and OBJ
servation of Mr.. Hill should undertake
to make such sweeping charges, in view
Of the fact that the methods of a quar-
ter of a century ago are not to be com
pared to the present systematic mode of
farming. There is nothing to bear out
Mr.. Hills contentious.
GAS the result of a recent visit to
some of the largest districts in the
middle western and Pacific states, 1
am prepared to say there has never
been a time when general farming was
conducted along such economical lines
as at present. In fact, the methods
of today are marvels to those who
farmed land in the sos. Had we been
as thorough then as are the farmers of
today, we certainly would have been
equally successful. Agricultural col
leges and experiment stations have
been and are important factors.
cit is not overstating the case when
1 say that the ~present-day farmer con-
duets his operations along the same
lines that prevail in a well-organized
business establishment, and as a re.
suit he is making a good living, edu-
his children and putting money
into substantial improvements, as well
as into the bank.
at is idle talk to charge the high
cost of living to the farmer, as it must
be plain to any one who has studied
the subject that at least three causes
contribute to increasing the prices of
the necessities Of life. The large pro-
of gold during the last few
years is an important factor, in that
it has resulted in making money cheap,
and, to a great extent, no doubt is re-
5ponsible for increases in prices. Cheap
money means high prices.
"Perhaps the greatest factor for the
present high cost of living is the tar
if, which, 1 believe, enables manufac-
turers to combine and compel the con-
sumers to pay enormous and unreason-
able prices. Such farm products as
beef and pork are controlled entirely
by the so-called beef trust, while but
ter, eggs, cheese and poultry are
handled by cold storage companies and
combinations, and the prices
Of cereals are fixed largely by the
speculative boards of trade and stock
exchanges.
Gas a matter of fact, I found while
IN the Mississippi valley, a short time
ago, that the prices of butter, eggs,
cheese and poultry are nearly as high
here as they are on the Pacific coast,
where the demand at present is far
than the supply. I also learned
rom reliable sources that these
products are almost entirely controlled
'y combinations and not by the pro-
lucers.
81 hold no brief for the farmers of
he country, but from an experience
If almost a lifetime, until about Is
Years ago, as a farmer, porn and raised
IN a farm, 1 know that the system en-
oloyed during my time was no COM
D%arisOn to the present method of farm
ng. Intensive farming, by the use of
supplied by scientific means, was
hen largely an experiment, and So
jailed dry farming, or more properly
joil and moisture conservation, was in
is very infancy. These methods are
today, as is evidenced by crop
gains, taking acre for acre.
81 challenge Mr.. Hill or any one else
o show any period prior to 1894, when
hey were larger acre yields of grain
md fruits, grasses and roots than at
he present time, and with this 1
would also ask him to point to any
rear when the farmers were more pros |
'erOus than they are today. Extrava-
lance, carelessness and lack of thrift
md progress and prosperity do not 60
land in hand, and that fact alone
Mr.. Hills broad statement,
which 1 am charitable enough to say, 1
probably was made by him for the
of something to say in fixing
he causes leading to the present high
Of living"