The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-07-28
With Capitalists In Control
Will Come, Says Err
IFINCOMES AREN'TINCREASED
Speaker at Chamber of Commerce
Presents Startling Problem,
Gently lntimating That Edu-
cation VIII Do MUCH
Toward Solution

farming business ultimately falling
into the hands of capitalists with re-
suits similar to those attendant on
the absorption of the meat industry
by the packing houses was presented
at the regular MONDAY luncheon of
the chamber of commerce Wednesday
by Prof. o. Err, head of the dairying
department of Ohio State university,
who is here to address the Knox
County Contrasting association.
Prof. Erf's discourse was all the
more impressive because of no effort
on his part to present some magic
panacea tending to heal the various
ailments with which the agricultural
communities of today are beset. He
stated facts and left problems and
their solutions to his auditors, mere
ly indicating possible lines of rea-
soning and making few gentle sug-
gestions.
Prof. Err referred to the two natur-
al sources of wealth, mining and
agriculture, and deplored the fact
that the increase Of food-stuffs in the
U. S. is not proportionate to the in
crease in population. The cause of
this, to big extent, is such condi-
ton as obtained the past year when
a half million more people left the
farm to go to the city than came from
the city to the farm. These former
ceased to be producers and became
consumers.
If such an exodus is not stopped.
capitalists will eventually control
agriculture and will regulate the
price of goods. AS an example, Prof
Err cited the packing industry of the
country and it's control of meat
prices.
Two main reasons for this exodus
are the comparative unremuneration
of the farm and the hard labor en-
tailed in making living in this way.
Figures were presented, showing that
the average return on 40 acres is
5000, of which the farmer receives
5000 in cash, the balance going into
his living. The average industrial
worker gets $4S6 year, but he is not
able to save as much as the farmer.
Irregularity OF hours of work was
advanced as one of the reasons which
prompts farmers to go to the city.
"They would rather work when it is
raining and have their fun when the
weather is good" Prof. Err observed.
The present year was said to be the
worst in history. Many farms in the
northeastern part of the state lie alb
solutely idle, the owners even hiring
people merely to live in the houses,
so as to keep these open. Farm work
ers cannot be obtained and an appall-
ing state exists. The result is that
the yield is only 60 per cent of nor
NAL. Hence, consumers will have to
cut down on the corn proposition.
Farm life will be only as attractive
as the social features are made. The
development of these decreases the
income of the farm, as automobiles,
more or less of necessary adjunct
are expensive. The probable result
will be the lowering of the income to
less than that of the industrial work
er with still no means to stop the in
fiux into the city
Prof. Err intimated that education
might be one solution of the prob
lem, pointing out that in education
and the application of scientific meth
ods lie greatly increased yields anc
incomes. Agricultural education, he
stated, is better than industrial edu
cation. Farmers should have the op
portunity to increase their produc
ton which education affords.
Business men, while possessing NJ
knowledge of farming, could conduc
many farms on an efficiency basis
and make a better thing of it thai
the average farmer, Prof. Erf de
clared, and went on to state tina
usually when city man moves on
farm, 1t is after he has accumulate
wealth and proceeds. to act the foo
with his country estate.
The immense value of manure IL
food-producing was pointed out b.
Prof. Err who stated that COWS
steers and cattle are best in manure
producing. Turning to the dairy in
dustry with this as connecting lini
figures were cited, showing hoy
25O,OOO farms in the state now specia
ize in dairying as against 10000
1870.
AS food producer, the COW has /
times the value of the steer, 1t wa
stated. One hundred and forty COW
testing associations are now in ol