The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-01-02
VITAL
TOPICS TALKED
FACTS OF IMPORTANCE TO THE
FARMERS DISCUSSED AT RE-
CENT MEETING OF AMERICAN
ECONOMIC ASSN. FOR WHICH
PROF. TRIMRLEJusT RETURNED

Facts important to the interests of
the farmers Of the country, especially
Of the northwest, were discussed at
the recent meetings Of the American
Economic association and the Ameri-
can Sociological society held jointly in
Minneapolis from Dec. 27 to 80. from
which Professor Trimble of the North
Dakota Agricultural college faculty
has just returned. -
Some of the most noted economical
authorities in the country and Europe
were at the meetings of these two as
soclatlons and presented facts that are
most vital to the future interests. Of
the farmers OF the country.
T. The speakers list included such men
as Prof. Albion w. Small, head Of the
versity Of Chicago; Prof. John H.
Gray of the University Of Minnesota,
Prof. e. Dana Durand, of the Uni
Versity Of Minnesota and director. of
the last United States census; r. W.
Babson of Wellesley, 49, Mass, head of
the Babcon Statistical agency: Pro-
lessor Ely Of the. University Of Wis
consin; Prof. T. N. Carver Of Harvard
university, and director Of the rural
organization service of the federal de-
partment of agriculture; Professor
Shumpeter of the University Of Graz
of Austria; Professor Rothgen of the
Colonial institute Of Hamburg; and
DR.. B. Fl. Myer of the interstate COM
merce commission. ri.
Professor Trimble stated that the
addresses Of Professor Carver of
Harvard and DR.. Myer Of the inter
state commission were
among the most interesting Of the
meeting.
Among the things emphasized by
Professor Carver Is the necessity Of
the federal and state governments di-
rectlng attention now to the problem
OF marketing, which he said involves
rural organization on many lines. He
the better farmers are those who
pay the most frequent visits to town
keep in close touch with ursanI
life, that the richest farming districts
Will be found to be those most tenant
The social problems of these sub
urbanites will be ultimate.
Cooperation was urged, also organ
lzation Of neighborhoods, syndicaiism |
and the control Of public service O r
porations. 80
Dr.. Myer of the interstate commerce !
talked on the Theory of
Making Railroad Rates, which involv- |
ed, he said, three important factors |
These were the determination of the
physical valuation of railroad proper |
ty, h determination Of the value of
rendered and Its cost, and IA. |
fixed public policy.
When these are determined. DR..
Myer said, the public will not be call !
upon to pay interest on Wateredt
stock. He warned the state and ma
t1onal governments to carefully avoid
any valuation of fictitious securities.
Rates, he declared, should be based on |
values, that the actual values
should be determined and no attention |
paid to mere slips of paper, so that mo-
interest Mould be paid to the holders
Of inflated wealth.
One Of h main points Professor
Ir1mble declared brought out in DR. |
Myers address was that the valuation |
a basis of remuneration should he
discarded and the relation of the prin-
opal n the agent should be substi- /
tuted In the railroad problem. It was
not the amount of a corporatior's
wealth, he said, that should be regard
ed, but it's usefulness to society.
Professor Trimble himself took mart
IN the discussion at the meetings and
was one Of the foremost Of the im4
promptu speakers. Next years SEES
s1ons will be held at Princeton. where
1t is probable President Hibben will
be a prominent figure. This wear ha
was somewhat Of an snterested m
locker, though taking no active MARI !
as he was in Minneapolis at the lime
merely as the guest Of the mill citv's
princeton Alumni association.