Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-12-10
WAR AND THE MIDDLE WEST

The banks OF the middle western
states have, according to the reports
made at the comptroller's call Of
November, greatly increased depos'
Its. In some states the complete re-
turns are expected to show record
breaking figures. and this in time
when business in parts Of the coun'
try suffering from the effects OF the
European war. To the farmer the
war has been a profit-bringer. At the
opening of hostilities wheat was
selling at primary markets OF the
interior for so to 81 cents q bushel.
There was at that time little pros
pect of any rise in values and the
crop was moving steadily to market.
with the opening of the war the
price rose until It reached "a cents
and ON occasion for days at a time
the farmer has received his ideal
price. one dollar a bushel.
Just now It is only few cents be-
low that figure. The importance OF
this is manifest. Kansas, for in
stance, produced 1S0,O0o,Oo0 BUSH
els of wheat; about one-third had
been sold or contracted by August
1. The increase in the market value
of the remainder, 120,00O,000 BASH
els, has been not less than $4,000
600, as much as the total value OF
q wheat crop in some years. Corn an
Iowa has been similarly affected; al
falfa, cattle and hogs-indeed every
thing the farmer has to sell-have
brought notably advanced figures.
The effect is seen in a business &C
tiyity throughout the middle west IN
strong contrast with the situation In
states where the production OF food.
stuffs is not the leading industry.
Merchants are buying liberal stocks
for the holiday trade; collections
are improved and new enterprises
are undertaken with hOpefulness.
This prosperity of the agricultural
states has gone far in adding sta
bility to the financial situation OF
the commonwealth less favored. A
market for luxuries has been main
tanned and there has been developed
a healthy activity which has had Its
influence throughout the nation.
Moreover the confidence in the tu-
ture has been engendered. Western
farmers look forward to another
wear of high priced wheat, many ex-
pecting it to reach $3.50 bushei
II the war continues, and, In conse-
quence, have been sowing another
immense acreage. The banks are
expecting easy money locally for
many months and are taking care OF
their customers without difficulty
a distinct relief to other sections
where the need is important for all
possible funds. The middle west Is
lust now the most favored section
of the nation, because it is the great
of the things nations eat.
II there is in this section a liberal
purchasing Of automobiles and 9TH
er articles usually listed as luxVr-
les, It only furnishes to the manu-
featuring cities of the east employ
ment and helps to distribute the
bounty of the tillers of fields.
While the world is short on food
stuffs, or what amounts to the same
thing is hampered in their distribu-
ton, the farming sections If our
own country are certain to reap a
distinct advantage. But the middle
west cannot prosper without the
effect being felt the nation over and
its influence will be one Of helpful
ness in financial affairs for many
months-as 1t has been since the
beginning Of the war.