Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-08-30
.,pM CROP INSURANCE.
-, n @. O'Shea. president Fed
.na bank. Spokane, Wash.)

J ssuand for fooos'uiis nSs Oeeome
movements have been inaugu-
VA from time to time to extend
,.deral aid to farmers to provide seed
go and promote production, and
- .nuropriation of funds for such
.ooses has been considered by the
.,onal congress. Some of the states
found 1t necessary to call to-
Tar their legislative assemblies in
.,ol session to make provisions to
and The need for such aid has
generally recognized, hence it
=, IN some extent at least have ex-
/ sted
Tho mans suggested for promoting
..Oduction and providing seed are
.osossarily temporary, and in no way
..moye the conditions which have
.sae such movements necessary.
uAaat IS the most essential product
.,our farms, and the development of
!. PRODUCTION should not be wholly
cumulative. The lands of the west
,.voted to wheat production cover
large area and are subject to period
i,al droughts, destruction by grass
soppers, hot winds, hailstorms and
oher causes for injury or failure over
vhicb man can exercise little or no
mntrol. The government very prop
srly sets the price at which this es-
antial and necessary product must
IA sold, thereby limiting gain that
ran be made; it is proper to consider
n Il should not also provide means to
/ limit the loss. The farmer should not
need appropriations or gifts, but he
may be given reasonable, permanen,
business protection. He who is will
ing and able to work at a necessary,
Mnsficial and essential calling
should be assured some measure of
protection against utter ruin and
bankruptcy.
In many localities in the north
yestern states there was serious
! top shortage or total failure, especi-
: ly in the grain sections, in 1917.
4 hch failure following a severe win
/ Ter supplemented by advancing
prices on all necessaries, brought
much hardship and Inconvenience.
The general advance in prices did not
ssnefit him who failed to secure a
|uOp, while it affected his purchases.
The present season began with ex-
celent promise; the farmers in all
Ncalities, responding to the call OF
the nation, made unusual efforts to
plant larger acreage. Many of
these farmers were in distress on ac-
count of the failure of the former
year and exhausted their resources
and credit to plant the largest acre
age that could be had in wheat and
other cereals. This has been sea-
son OF unusual weather conditions.
There has been excessive heat and
hot winds at an earlier date than usu-
al, In some localities the heat has
been accompanied by drought and
conditions are very menacing for
many OF the farmers through no fault
d their own. In other localities there
has been considerable rain, and such
PAGES have great promise of bump
Or crops, which, at prevailing prices,
VIII bring them plenty and independ-
ence
fnose OF us who have lived in Mon
una since the early territorial days
Oal recall in the years past that the
question was not to get the crop, but
70 dispose of it. In the years gone
W the production was invariably un-
suestioned, but in many seasons the
sfiner could not secure sufficient
p'Ne Tor his product to pay the
w" Oh producing it. Last season and
A'S' In which excellent prices can be
''auiiy secured, the crop is not to
" nad. The record of precipitation
'Onpiied by the weather bureau
'aO"s Tor the published reports am
No precipitation prior to 1917, ex-
'epting in small units, the location
" which varied from year to year.
ms situation should properly
@srl attention and consideration.
'ae farmer has ever had to contend
'"n the elements to secure his crop
:, - 'ae tirst place, and thereafter, in
~ past II he did secure the crop, he
'4u 70 sell his product In a market he
'Su'a not regulate or control. 1t
D'u Dc an established policy to en-
'ee men to stay with the farm
~ VI the farm; the world needs at
une the products of the farm
!, MY than it ever has at any period.
'e are calls for labor from ship
us and other industries where the
WINS Tor service and short hours
"e uDeral and daf;ni+o IT, oa,o