The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1909-09-03
THE COUhTRY'S NEEDS
More Farms, Fewer Fighting Ma
chimes, Says B. +. Yoakum.
TELLS OF MONEY S0UANDERED

TELLS OF MONEY SQUANDERED
Chairman Of Rock Island Frisco Rail-
road System Declares Money VAST
ed by Government Would Reclaim
Much Land and Build Many Homes,
Expressing the opinion that the Unit
ed States government would do better
to encourage the development of more
farms instead of more battleships. B.
#. Yoakun. chairman Of the executive
committee of the Rock Island-Frisco
railroad system, recently delivered at
Shawnee, Okla, before the Farmers
union of Oklahoma notable address
on the partnership between the rail-
roads and the farmers. He said in
part:
"The farmers and the railroads are
natural partners. The first thing in
quired about by an investor in new
railroad securities Is the character of
the country which the road will serve.
II 1t can be shown that the territory to
be served by the new railroad lis good
farming country the greatest trouble
In finding the money to build has been
overcome. On the other hand, the first
question a farmer seeking location
in a new country asks is, What are
its railroad facilities?
"The things most needed by the
farmer and the railroad. but which are
neglected, TO the detriment of both, are
a better acquaintance and closer work
ing relations. These mutual benefits
can be attained through the officers of
the Farmers union. representing the
producers. and the officers Of the rail-
roads. representing the carriers, deal
ing directly with each other.
This country now needs what our
forefathers used In laying its founda'
tion--a lot OF old fashioned common
sense
Farmer Has Good Judgment.
Good Judgment and fair dealing are
found more generally among farmers
than in persons In other occupations
and when they earnestly take hold OF
public questions they will occupy a
place In our political structure that will
make their good judgment and fail
conclusions felt more and more In solv-
ing the relations Of the government
and its institutions.
"The United States government nine
teen years ago commenced the con
struction Of the Illinois and Mississippi
canal. Its length is seventy-five miles
and 1t has cost to date. with interesI
| at 8 per cent. over $9,000,OO0. or $120.
| coo per mile. To maintain this cana
| In it's present useless condition costs
the country's taxpayers $4,000 year
exclusive Of interest on the Investment
| A freight boat has never passed
| through 1t.
IT mention this to illustrate one un
dertaking of the many which. through
| the lack of system or intelligent plan
! ming in advance of the construction OF
| our inland waterways. make up the
| $50 100000 which Is referred to by
! Commissioners Herbert Knox Smith al
| wasted
"The government has expended ap
proximately $225, 100000 on the i'm
| provement Of the Mississippi river ant
its tributaries. The tonnage handled
/ over the waters of the Mississippi las
| year was one-third less than 1t wa'
twenty years ago.
Should Make More Farms.
"The story Of government extrava
gance Of this kind is being told 81
broadly through the newspapers tina
the masses are beginning to realiz'
that something is wrong.
'.The same disregard Of the value o
money would send the strongest pri
vate business in this country into bank
ruptcy. A proper use Of the prunin,
knife In a downward revision of ex
penses would bring surprising results
'sIt Is not practicable to itemize wher
reductions should be made. but the.
must come. The deficit should b.
cared for by reducing expenditures ant
not by raising taxes to increase rev
enues.
The European nations are teachin
us lesson. The controversies in Eng
land. the recent troubles In Spain, tn
unrest in Russia. the quarreling owe
military taxes In Germany. and th
struggle against new taxes in Franc
should strengthen our faith In th
proposition that 1t Is better to groN
more farm products and make pros
porous the man who sows and hal
vests than to build more battleship
and new guns.
Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson re
Gently said that the most pressin
needs Of the United States are great
er proportion Of farmers and NOR
farming land In cultivation.
I'VE would better spend more Of th
money we burn up In powder In NAL
ing new farms
0un's Price Mould Make 1875 Homes
"A forty acre farm Of irrigated Ian
WIN comfortably support q family Q
0ve. It costs $4,000 to make twelv
inch gun. The money that goes to pa
Tor this gum would reclaim 1.571 acre
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