The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1916-12-28
but get back to system Of buying and
selling food commodities that 10 not
too extravsgant.
THE NEW YEAR AND The OLD

The year of 1916. summed up from
the viewpoint Of the Hood River busi-
ness man and the Hood River orchard
ist, shows that we have moved for
ward most gratifyingly for the IL
months. Problems and worries have
been by no means absent. but the cred
il side of the ledger is many figures to
the good.
As the year closes we witness the
passing of the peak OF apple market
ing. Already more than 1000 carloads
of Hood River apples have rolled to
markets of the world. Statisticians
tell US that we may expect an approx
innate $l,500,0G0 in return for this
great quantity of fruit. Already FAIR
portions of appe money have been ap-
portioned to the affiliated growers OF
sales organizations, and the surplus
funds have been placed in circulation.
The merchant has felt the prosperous
trend. His stock of goods evidences
the prosperity, and the sales reports
may be taken even more so as criter-
ion of good times. Bank statements
show an increase of deposit we'll up
toward a quarter Of a million dollars
over the same time of year ago.
In a few words, the Hood River val
ley has had fair year. But just here
allow US to sandwich in a word of
warning in our expressions of felicita-
tion. While we are hoping for good
crops next year and nothing has been
pointed out to US that would evidence
any disaster in the production and
marketing of our apple crop for 1917,
we must remember that returns for
single year in any business cannot be
taken as a criterion. We must reach
general average over term of years.
The year 1917 may be lean one, and
because of this possible contingency,
we hope that those who have fattened
their bank accounts this lseasOn will
not grow too prodigsl. Be thrifty and
you will be perpared for the coming of
unexpected rainy days. We hope they
do not come, but if they do you will
have Just so much more on velvet. Be
prepared to tide over the bad spots
Sc: iiss Now tt. touch on another asset: that
of the :. scenery of Mount Hood, ..the
Columbia river gorge and the sur
rounding ranges of the] Cascades.
While this resource is still rather la
tent, it was developed last year to
greater extent that..in any former sea-
son. The opening of the sColumbia
River Highway did it. Hundreds and
hundreds of motorists felt the great
call of old Mother. Nature as they
watched the ripping cascades Of noun.
tain streams. They have gone to the
four corners of the Union. with the
message that will be heard by scores
more, and next year we expect even
greater number of visitors. Year by
year we are deveolping to a greater
extent the business of the summer re-
sort. We are learning how to cater to
the wants of visitors who will flock
more and more to see our prodigal dis.
play of grandeur.
Another evidence of the upward
trend of local conditions may be taken
from the purchases of property during
the past year by local citizens. Heavy
holders of local apple property have
such faith in the future of the bust
ness that they are doubling their in
vestments. These men ought to know
what they are about.
We truly think that business is good
and that it is going to continue good.