Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-01-12


indication of a modification of the
antagonism of the government to-
ward large business interests.
Politically the outlook is distinctly
brighter. Signs are multiplying that
the wave of radicalism which swept
the country for the past two or three
years and which showed itself con-
spicuously in the movement for gov
ernment ownership is on the wane.
Conservative forces are -reasserting
themselves and there is reason to
hope that many of the political illu-
sions and vagaries which have been
dangled before the public of late will
disappear. The congressional cleo
tions take place next fall, and more
or less talk and agitation may be
expected but little serious legisla-
tion will be attempted during 1914.
Mr.. Wilson is openly disposed to dis
courage any further agitation, but
rather to favor a policy of construc-
tiveness which will tend Ito build up
business upon sound lines" Thanks
to his unquestionable sincerity there
is every reason to hope for a tempo
rary relief from political disturb
ances, particularly should business
recover it's normal activity and thus
remove one viii source of discomfort.
Commercial, Industrial and Financial
Progress.
The nation enjoyed one great
blessing, and that was a good har-
vest which proved better than earlier
reports indicated. The total value
of agricultural products for the year
has been estimated at $4,000 0,00O,-
900, which about equalled the previ-
GUS season. The value Of twelve
leading crops was. given at nearly
IS, ,000, 900, 900, or more than $780,
900, 900 ahead of year ago-a very
satisfactory result when we consider
that the comparison is made with a
bumper corn crop in 1912. Our corn,
cotton and wheat crops all proved
to be large, and brought good prices.
This indicates that the agricultural
classes, the backbone of the west and
south, are enjoying prosperity.
There was no disastrous deficiency
I in any important crop, except in the
animal industries. Meats continue
scarce and high, and as yet there has
been no decrease of Importance in
the high cost of food, which is the
largest item in the family expenses
of the bulk of our population. The
dear food problem is one that can
only be solved by wise study of eco
nomic methods. Legislation can dc
little. High prices are somewhat
due to population increasing more
rapidly than production. They will
eventually work out their own cure
by turning attention back to the soil
Our agricultural colleges are doing
vastly more than politicians or Wis
ionary doctrinaires can ever accom-
plish toward lowering the cost Of liv
ing. They are teaching thousand
of young men how to increase prod
l uct per acre, and ere long beneficial
results must follow. Our farms un
der modern methods and intensiv
cultivation will easily produce mucl
= more and enable the farmer to sci
lower and still maintain better prof
its than old-time methods ever ex
pected. This is one Of the promising
features of the day that should no
: be forgotten, in spite OF the sloN
g subsistence of complaints about higl
5 costs OF living.
In one other respect the nation ha
Il been particularly fortunate. Ou
> foreign trade is growing at tire
II mendous rate. Our exports for te
Ii months of the calendar year wer
! $2,005, 100000, an increase Of abou
; $3.50, 100000 over last year. Large
g shipments of agricultural product
were the main reason for this .e1
l. pansion, but a prominent feature
the growing export movement 1
" American manufactured products
: particularly those of iron and stee
/ Imports during the ten months al
o gregated $1,460, 100000, a decreas
% Of $50,000,000, largely owing to d.
layed purchases resulting from tai
/ if changes. Our excess of export
III for the ten months amounted [
y $544,S00,0 200, which is $1S5, 600, 90
20 ahead OF the same time last yea
1t This immensely strengthens oil
u credit abroad. So will the new GU
~ rency bill, because Europe sets
is higher value upon sound bankin
than the United States.
t. The extent of depression in 191
lg is not probably fully realized. Q
lie the Stock Exchange the sales
to stocks aggregated for the year on
w. about 100000 shares, compar,