Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-09-03
SALEM AND THE MARKET PROBLEM

The question Of Salems relations to the surrounding
agricultural districts and Saems duty to the farmer
discussed in the Commercial Club meeting Wednesday
night it aroused great deal of interest and naturally
warmth of feeling was evidenced by those whose
opinions were divergent This is because the subject is
big one broad and deep and fraught with the response
by of the future growth and commercial Importance OF
the city
Salem owes much to the farmer-he may be brought
to owe much to Salem That depends on how this
question of relationship between the farmer and city is
handled and developed in the future.
1t is mainly question of a larger and market
for the produce of the farm.
local market in booths along the streets in pub
lie square does not supply the need 1t may be good thing
in degree bringing together the producer and local
consumer who may desire fresh fruits vegetables and
other products of the farm Frequently, however, the
produce offered for sale will not all be disposed off be-
the local demand is limited and this is all that the
public city market appeals to-
The question OF the lack of market for produce is
that is akin to the unemployment problem. Quite fire.
quenty know that thousands of men out Of work
in the congested ceners of industry when other parts
of the country in need Of their services The and
the job are not always in touch with each other SO it
is with the produce market For instance potatoes may
be drug in the local market but there may be outside
markets where they would bring fair price. 1t is the
problem of getting the produce to the right market at
the right time To become prosperous the Willamette
Valley must export surplusit cannot flourish on home
consumption Salem, therefore, needs large iobbing
houses or commission Dealers who have sought out and
established an outlet for the surplus produce of the
territory
Here is what mean the little town of Oakland in
Douglas county is the most extensive market for turkeys
the coast and chickens eggs and other produce are
extensively shipped from that point. One mercantile
firm which developed this business by furnishing the out
side markets. has accumulated property said to be worth
o million dollars and many farmers and stockmen have
shared in their prosperity. The largest potato buyers in
the willamette Valley are located in the little town of
Mount Angel
Salem lacks exporters of this type Some years ago
the great wheat exporting firm of Balfour Guthrie &
Co maintained agency in this city but it was discon
tnued and now many farmers of the surrounding country
go to Portland to sell their wheat We have probably the
best market for kinds of fruit in Oregon with the
largest prune packing houses and canneres in the state
The hop growers association is taking care of that in
dusry to the best of its ability Still there are many
times when the farmers to Salem with general pro
duce only to find the local market guted and no one to
take 1t of their hands at any price This is the problem
then to be solved and if the Commercial Club is able to
do it the farmers will ask no more of them,
Farming is as much business selling goods If the
farmer can dispose of his produce to better advantage in
Salem than in surrounding towns he will bring it here and
naturally spend much of the money it brings with our
businessmen. He is not asking for sympathy nor par
hcuarly for friendship and entertainment on part of
the town-people neither is he overanXOus for advice
and instruction in farmng-that is his business and he
is learning, or has learned it. from practical experience
What he wants above everything else is to be able to sell
his products at profit Why he naturally asks should
we seek methods for greater production if there are no
stable markets for what is produced? The farmer is
aware that his produce with the best of market
facilities will not always sell at profit Over.production
or financial depression at times causes slump in the
demand affects prices and wipes out the margin of profit