The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-12-30
THE GENERAL OUTLOOK

1t is customary at the close of the
year to take an inventory and size up
our industrial and business outlook and
10 try and see what the future holds
for us. As a community of citizens
gains rewards that it believes the labor
it expends deserves and prospers, so
may it be guaged in many ways. Be-
cause we look back over the year and
forecast the future from an economic
viewpoint, we should not be considered
worshlppers of Mammon. That com
munity where families are happiest and
most God-fearing will most often be
found the community of content and
prosperity. But prosperity is rela-
tvie term.
During the financially hectic years of
the war, and Immediately following.
the big structural centers, where ships
were building and munitions were in
the making, were cited as prosperous.
The agricultural sections where food
stuffs were grown and sold at an hith-
erto unheard Of price or where product
for clothes or war materials were raised
were money mad. A harvest of dollars
poured in. The manufacturers and the |
farmers seemed blinded by the condi- |
tions. Instead of stopping to consider
that they were in the midst of mere
whirlwind that would soon blow itself
out, they planned as though a perma-
nent gale had arisen. They spent as
though they anticipated no end to the
flow of the stream of easy money. In
the end they have in too many cases
found that they have overspent
And thus we get back to our condi-
tion here in Hood River. Our product.
chiefly apples, created no great sensa-
tions by rise in price, although year
ago short crop conditions presented
market quite different from that Of
this year. We did not soar to extreme
heights, and now when the nation is {
settling back toward normal days that [
ruled before the great war, we do not
have to drop so far. We have never q
been far from normal. Because we
we're not touched by financial frenzy
We as individuals have participated
but little in acts of prodigality. We :
nave been frugal and have practiced
an admirable thrift. 1t may be that
We have not made money as fast as in
some parts of the country, but we do
believe that the average local indi- =,
Jidual has saved larger proportion of "
lis earnings. Our citizens have pur- ;,
lased safe securities and have made !.
additions to their savings y
deposits.
We have taken time to look to the
uture with a critical eye the past >,
ear. The Hood River Valley is going n
n for greater diversity of industries -,
The apple grower has decided to turn
more of his attention to small fruits =
We see daily more and more cows on
richard places. The hen population is
,rowing. Hood River egg money bids
air to assume decent proportions The
pple will remain the big item of
ncome, and those who are studying a.
he industry from a general viewpoint, p,
ont out that it is becoming more le
tabiiized. We are thankful for our II
)cal spirit and practice Of cooperation. 90
1t is a good sign to see other districts q;
f fellow fruitgrcwers in a similar tn
teadying down process. Altogether ~
re ought to be very well satisfied with beo
ur progress Of the past year and our
utlook on the future. biz
m,