The Washington times., 1915-02-24
THE WASHINGTON TIMES: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY a. 1915
AMERICA TO HARVEST
THE WORLDS RICHES
Congressman Moss Sees in
Europe's Conflict Era Of
Prosperity for Farmer.

Never since the day Adam was so
summarily elected from the Garden Of
Eden has there been a generation Of
Ntmers so favored as are the farmers
OF America today. And one of the rea-
sons Is the present war In Europe, 'as-
serts Ralph w. Moss, a prosperous
farmer Of Center. 1rl.
Why pick Mr.. NJ, Ss out to ask?
Well. Mr.. Moss. in addition to being a
prosperous farmer. is a student OF agri-
culture on a broad scale and a member
of Congress. It Is rather the regular
thing to ask him about such things.
commission to study agricultural con-
ditions in Europe. the first man he
picked was Congressman Noes. Some
Of his conclusions follow:
The American nation has worshiped
at the shrine Of the manufacturer since
the close Of the civil war. because this
industry has had the power to reward
It's yotaries with abundant wealth.
High wages. short hours. and large
dividends have become associated with
the American furnace and workshop.
During the same period. the American
farmer has been man who was COM
PEELED to work long hours. sell his prod
n;t %cts for for low prices pay low wages ST., to
the luxuries of life.
opicuuiuIy TEcp0Ecu.
"The European war Is fraught with
such momentous consequences to our
nation as to appear incredulous to the
average citizen. New riches are to be
added to our nation as suddenly as
present generation OF farmers is to be
the most favored since Adam was
driven from the Garden Of Eden.
AT the outbreak of the war We were
meet an extra demand for agricultural
products at higher price. For gen
Grafton We had been busy improving
our roads and transportation facilities;
we had likewise improved our live
tools We have steadily extended our
arabic areas by draining swamps. clear
ing forest areas. and irrigating the des-
ert. Our schools and colleges have been
adding to our source Of knowledge by
ing all phases Of agricultural produc-
tion
Harvest Worlds Riches.
Indeed, 1t seems as II the hand Of
fate, which has so favored the des-
TIMES of our nation. was designedly
preparing us to meet 'our present un-
paralleled opportunities to garner in
the great harvest Of the worlds riches
European agriculture will be de-
moralized b.. this war. and 1t Will re-
quire at least n generation before farms
can again reach the past VOLUME OF pro-
duction. Their agriculture Is more
highly organized than ours, and this
condition WAS brought about by large
governmental aid and assistance. II
Is an agriculture which can be sus-
tained only by the most perfect organ
belgium. France. Holland. Germany,
and the British Isles are the very gar
dens Of Europe, and their agriculture
was the most highly organized OF any
in the world: yet their combined pro-
duction under the most favorable con-
ditions could not feed their own people.
The result OF the war can only he to
| increase largely the worlds demands on
| the American farmer. This means. Tor
the first time in our existence as
can go steadily forward with rising
prices for our products. That Is what
| will give new life to our agriculture
and Increased wealth to our nation.
An branches OF our industries VIII
| feel this increased demand.
| "Our farm homes require refurntsh
ing. or rather. rebuilding. Our farm.
| ers as class. have had less none,
| to spend by way of improving theii
homes and banish,ng monotony from
| their lives than any other class OF oul
| citizens.
Thus a new commercial era vii
follow this agricultural revival and
prosperity will attend all industries.
| Il deplore the miseries of war. bu
I can see in it the uplifting OF oul
| farming class. the rebuilding Of ou,
| agriculture. and the acquisition of ma
tional wealth beyond even the hopes o.
the fervent dreamer OF yesterday. i
is a time for every American to ge
labor: for he is certain to receive al
ample reward for his industry"