The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1918-03-21

average cost of $50 per acre total
cost less haulingJ, an average gross
return of $s7.12, which will give an
average net loss of S2S8 per acre,
computed to the basis Of twelve tons.
which is just about the acreage Weld
for Colorado.
Third-That a minimum of 50 per
ton on a sliding scale offering 80 for
sugar beets testing over IL and under
IA per cent, and the advance on the
proportionate value of the sugar at
the minimum price, which would be g.
cents for each per cent or 32 cents for
each one-half per cent above the min
lmum. would produce fair profit to
the grower.
The Psychology of Chance
Fourth-That minimum of $40 per
ton rate will probably be necessary to
get the production to full normal
acreage.
Fifth-That the psychology of the
element of chance must be considered
in the problem, since the possibility of
rich returns is very great with other
crops. 1t IS only human nature to en-
deavor to grasp those possible rewards.
That the sworn testimony of the
American Beet Sugar company thru
its representative. Mr.. Gerecke. shows
that the simpler crops pay higher net
return than the beet crop, in spite
of the fact that the sugar beets occupy
the very best and most fertile lands
in their cropping system. This cor
roborates exactly the testimony Of
smaller growers.
Sixth-That moro attention should
be given to delivery in order to re-
duce delays at the dump TO minimum.
Seventh-That it may be necessary
for the government to assist in furn-
ishing labor at harvest because of la
Dor uncertainty and shortage.
An Excess Wage
Eight-That the average grower
makes little or no profit under ordi-
nary conditions.
Ninth-That the beet grower is en-
titled to wage in excess of going
wages for day labor, which excess may
be termed wages of management.
When beet returns pay other costs
and overhead and just wage of man.
agement, the grower is making no
profit from the beet growing business.
When the returns exceed this point
the grower receives a profit on beet
growing as business.
Tenth-Comparing the cost figures
in the sworn testimony of Mr. Gerecke
Of the American Beet Sugar company
for the Arkansas valley farms of that
company with the sworn testimony of
farmers. it is seen that ttsey are sub
stantially alike, provided we add the
last portion of the item, rent, which
Mr.. Gerecke did not include in the first
part of his testimony. In other words,
the testimony of farmer growers and
the testimony of the manager of the
American Beet Sugar company's farms
for its four farms is corroborative
Since the testimony is corroborative
it can be accepted as substantially cor
rect
Thus, the American Beet Sugar COM
pany testimony corroborates the testi-
mony of small growers. In spite o.
the fact that the sugar company has
left out of its statement certain essen
tial charges which should properly be
charged against the sugar beet crop
namely, the proper proportion o. office
expense, higher up manage acnt"
which is now charged totally else
where
Eleventh-The beet harvest season
is very short, due to the short seasans
of high attitudes. This short season
causes greater expense. as the work
must be rushed and there is always
present the risk of damage from
freezes and unreasonable weather.
Twelfth-Your commission recon-
mends as a final price recommendation
that minimum rate of 50 per ton on
a sliding scale basis which will offer
50 per ton for sugar beets testing over
l2 and under IA per cent and which
advances the price at the proportion
ate value. of sugar at the minimum
price when the analysis shows a per-
centage of sugar above this fixed min
imum at the rate of Ga cents for each
per cent or 80 cents for each one
half per cent above that minimum, and
which shall decrease the price at the
same rate below that fixed minimum
where the analysis runs under IL per
cent.
CONTINUED on Last Page