The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-09-25
A WEAK DEPARTMENT.


Department of Agriculture is ranging
itself so decidedly on the side of the
pessimist and undertaking to prepare
the country for even higher prices than
heretofore for food products. In taking
this position the department distinctly
ranges itself on the side of high prices,
and in aid of the bull faction in the
grain and other markets of the coun
try The Secretary of Agriculture
might just rs well get down in the
grain pits and bid up on prices as TO
send out such pessimistic views as his
department ls sending with regard TO
the failures Of the crops in this coun.
try and Europe and the higher prices
sure to result. 1t has got so, in fact,
that the department estimates are be-
ing distrusted more and moro under Sec.
retary Wilson. The August crop re-
port of this year is distinguished ex-
ample of exaggeration on the wrong
side with regard to crops. The low
estimate on wheat, corn, and oats was
almost pauicky, and business was very
be had and other reports came in show
ing that the department estimates were
faulty IN putting the probable yields
of different grains millions, and i'll the
case OF corn hundreds Of millions, OF
bushels below the probable yield, On
the other hand. the department estimate
of the cotton crop is alleged to be a
gross exaggeration of the actual yield.
The department gives out a statement
emphasizing the shortage of the corn
crop in this country, putting that short.
age now at 400, 600, 900 bushels, whereas
the August report put the shortage at
600,000,0o0 bushels, The department
also dwells upon the short crops in Ger
many, France, Austria-Hungary, Russia,
and other countries.
Such talk AS this from the Depart
mont of Agriculture is direct in
centive 10 the speculative element in the
produce markets of the country to put
up the prices of food products. 1t fur.
nishes seeming official authority for
raises in prices beyond all reason, and
ndru 1or inc people 10 pear.
1t has been Secretary Wilson IS pride
to enumerate at the close of the har-
vests every year the enormous and
growing value of farm crops. He has
been doing this for a good many years
past, and it looks now as though he
were determined to keep up the value
! of the farm products Of this country
in spite of his estimate of the
shortage in crops. The corn crop
last year, for instance, ran well
above 3,I00, 100000 bushels. This year
the estimate is for 2,700,0o0,0o0 bush
els, the shortage being, as stated,
400 100000 bushels. But if the Secre-
tary can get the market price of corn
boosted few cents on the grain ex-
changes, he will be able to show as
large value in the corn crop this year
as last in spite Of the shortage, and
so Of other grains. If he can quote
prices which will bring the aggregate
values up to or above those of last
year, his favorite theory of showing
the importance of agriculture in this
country, in tables Of estimated values,
will be carried out,
Undoubtedly the outgivings Of the
department on the shortage of crops
everywhere in the world will tend pow
erfully to stimulate prices and bring
the values of the crops Of the country
this year even above the aggregate
values of last years big crop If Sec
retary Wilson can have his way and
get the prices raised, as he is evidently
undertaking to do. his showing will be
all the more satisfactory to him. In
his activities herein he is distinctly
friend of the bull speeulator. and an
enemy Of the people.
1t is sorry thing for cabinet Off
Ger to be found doing work like this.
and the fact that it is being done by
the Department of Agriculture is an
additional reason, added to the power
ful reasons arising out of the DR.. Wiley
case. why there should be n new head
provided for the Department of Aeri-
lt Il y