The Cordova daily times., 1919-06-16
BETTER TIMES LOOKED FOR
 IN COLORADO

fore the war, according to statistics available at the office of the state immigration commissioner. Bank bal ances are higher than before the war, unemployment has almost ceased to be a problem, agriculture is flourish ing, higher silver price and lower cost of powder and other mining materials give promise of renewed ac- tivity in the field.
 The cost of living in Colorado, how ever, has shown virtually no tendency to seek a lower level. In every city of any size there is scarcity of home residences. Building operations sus- pended during the war and the coming to Colorado of large numbers or health seekers is said to be responsible for the shortage of homes and high rents which have driven many families to hotels or furnished room house. keeping.
 Another factor which has brought problem to the cities is the fact that A large number of returning soldiers and sailors who entered the military or naval service from the farm have no desire to return to rural life They are turning to the cities and while there is a farm labor shortage of ten per cent, the cities are unable to en- nloy all the men from the farms. In spite of this, it is said, the enjoy ment problem is not serious.
 Bank deposits have increased from s22s,154,52S.14 in 1916 to $255,SS7,- 431.S2. The assessed valuation of the state has increased from $1,211, ,697 ,27S in 1916 to $1,424,S11.2SS in 1918. The cost of farm labor has increased from s35 and $40 in 1916 to $60 and the price of farm land has increased from ten to 100 per cent.
 The increasing importance Of farm industry is indicated in returns to the immigration office showing an ln- crease in the number of farms from 46.OOO in 1910 to 6O,0O0 in 1913. Last wear the sales of farm property reach ed the highest total in the history or the state.
 Tn manufactures Colorado's output increased from $136,S3O,332 in 1914 to s210,OOO,OO0 in 1918.
 Contrary to general belief the min ing industry as whole obtained no great material benefit from high prices during the war. Lead and copper min ino resumed a new importance, but the fixed price of silver and unchanged nrice of gold with extreme high prices of materials for mining tended to de- crease the output of the rarer metals almost in proportion with the increase in the more common metals. The pro- duction in 1918 was less than during the year previous. The gold production was five million dollars below the aver age. Coal mining reached the huge nroportions of 12,65S,O55 tons, the largest output in the states history. The 1919 coal output will be much smaller, according to indications.
 Reports to the immigration bureau since removal of the silver price re- striction indicates great revival III silver mining. Some properties which have not been opened for years are about to be operated. Lower cost Of materials also will help the gold min ing industry the principal operations being in the Cripple creek district.
 Agriculturally, present forecasts are that the winter wheat crop will equal the record combined winter and spring wheat crop. The total acreage under cultivation is the largest in the his tory of the state. Rye is said to be in condition above normal. Increased acreage for sugar beets and decrease in the acreage planted to beans and potatoes have been reported and the condition of fruit is reported as good.
 In live stock way Colorado will fare we'll in 1919, despite severe losses because of heavy snow in the grazing communities and shortage of winter hay. The price of hay at- tained unheard of proportions during the winter when $40 ton was paid m some communities. Colorado has 1,361,OO0 head of stock cattle at an estimated value of $74.03S,000. an in- crease of one.third since 1916. There are 264000 milk cows and 4Ob,OOO hogs, the latter's value having lnA creased enoromusly since 1916 when 32O,0O0 hogs were estimated worth $2,624,0OO. The 1919 valuation for 100000 is $S,932000.
 Fairbanks papers are advertising that there are plenty of empty post o0aoo howoc vo~% o< thu nnat0ff1C0