The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-06-06
MORTGAGING THE FARM.

The question of mortgaging the
farm is an old one and is still live
one as shown by the census of 1910.
There has been a gradual IN rease in
the proportion of farms operated by
their owners under mortgage, but the
proportion of mortgage value to the
whole value of the property has de-
creased. The farm that was worth
$4,000 in 1890 and was mortgaged
for $1,000, would in 1910 il it were
an average example, beworth $4,000
and carry mortgage of about $1,000
The south Atlantic and the Rocky
Mountain states have the lowest per-
centage of mortgaged farms, and the
best states in the union have the
largest, namely: Michigan, MINES
ota. Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas,
Nebraska, and Indiana. When we
say "best states" we mean those
states that have the most good things
and best distributed among the peo-
ple-the medium sized farms, good
houses and other buildings, schools,
means of transportation, diversified
income tending to independence I'M
der all conditions, employment under
their own control, lack Of idle and
dependent classes, freedom from in
dustries that permit of great strikes
that tie up business, freedom from
the dangers of illiteracy and posses
sing the advantages of highly edu-
Gated high class population who
would have something valuable to
offer the world in the way of service
even if they were stripped of all of
their worldly possessions. These
conditions exist in highest percen-
tage in the states named, and in this
is food for reflection as to how they
became so and whether or not the
mortgages they have always been
noted for have not been one of the
means by which they became great
states filled with wealth and the
things that are most useful to hui
manity. In other words, are they not
getting the most for their money?
If the use of the capital obtained
through the mortgage enables them
to have fine homes with all the nee
essaries as we'll as much of the lux
uries and still hand over a profit to
the money lenders then it is just pos
sible that the communities that have
been doing without these things
through fear of the mortgage, have
made the greater mistake.
Some of the vital things to be
considered regarding the mortgage
question are to see that the capital
obtained in this way will put the
family in a position to have an in
come from their own work. Mort
gaging the farm to buy an auto to
run around the country in, with its
attendant loss of time and expense
of operation would be a conspicuous
example of a bad loan. But mort
gaging the farm to buy pure bred
stock which the family would give
the best of care on principles ap-
proved by successful breeders of
such stock, would be a good loan
but not without its risks. The stock
might die, or the family might be
impractical in carrying out good
theory. A safe way to combat this
problem would be to go back OF that
and give one or two members of the
family an education in practical ag-
ricultural which can be done in
year or two, and then secure the cap
itial to make the. venture under the
intelligent direction Of the trained
member or members and in this way
eliminate the risk and insure safe
and conservative management.
There are thousands of farms in
Idaho where the members of the
home would do well to counsel to-
gether earnestly over these matters
If they would improve their condi-
ton.
Comparing New York with Nebraska.
In making comparisons of the ad-
vantages enjoyed by the average cit
liens of two states it is not to be as
sumed that the family of wealth or
the family in the tenements or sweat
shops in New York are to be match
ed against the condition Of the great
Independent middle class of prosper
'ous, indepent people of Nebraska.
The comparatively few people in New
York who have everything they want,