Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1920-06-13
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
PREDICTED BY TEXAS
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE

That the United States Is facing
an agricultural economic condition
which probably will result in grave
consequences II not dealt with i'm
mediately Is the opinion OF the mem
bcrs 81 the directors OF the Texas
Chamber OF Commerce. AZ Is evil
denced by the following cOmmunica-
lion received from the secretary OF
that organization by W. u. Estes.
secretary Of the Board Of City De-
yelOpment:
After very careful study and anal
ySs OF production OF food and cloth
Ing In the United States. II is the
deliberate judgment Of the Board OF
Directors OF this organization that
American people are facing an agri-
cultural economic condition which. II
not dealt with Immediately and wise
ly In cooperation by the business
men, will lead 10 consequences so
grave as to affect all industry 10 the
point OF actually imperiling the So
aial order.
Agriculture Is the great foundation
on which the superstracture OF indus
trialism Is built. but II has been
steadily declining for more than two
decades until now there is an alarm
Ing exodus from the farm. which has
overbuilt the urban centers. lessen
Ing the number Of agricultural pro.
ducers and increasing the nOn-prO-
ducing consumers TO point where
II In our belief the supply Of food
and clothing cannot be maintained.
The United States Department OF
Agriculture estimates the farm labor
shortage to be 2S per cent below
normal. which has resulted In the
curtailment OF the acreage in cultiya-
ton In the entire United States.
Careful estimates show that Texas
will cultivate this year from o to
20 per cent less acreage than II did
last year
II is estimated that the wheat crop
OF the entire United States will be
practically 80 Ia per cent below that
OF 1919.
With an acreage production OF 70
10 20 per cent less and shortage OF
farm labor OF at least 30 per cent. II
can be estimated that agricultural
production in Texas In 1920 will be
fully one-third less than In 1919.
stating THIS In dollars. II will mean
q loss In the earning power OF Texas
OF more than 1915. 900 10000. or
nearly twice the value OF oil pro-
duction In Texas for 1919
But this means more than money
yalue-it means a decrease In the
supply OF the necessaries OF life and
an increase In their cost.
Stated. briefly agricultural pro-
duction has not kept pace with ur-
ban population and demand for food
stuffs and clothing. for the reason
that this industry has not yielded a
return upon the labor and capital in
vested and the comforts and convent
ences OF living comparable with that
Of urban industries.
There is no gainsaying the fact that
the oniy way to stop the exodus from
the farm and TO bring agricultural
production up TO the point TO meet
the demand is to make agriculture
more profitable and living conditions
In the country more comfortable and
attractive. The business men OF the
urban centers cannot expect the
farmer TO immediate himself on the
farm In order that the urban popu-
lation may have ample and cheap
food and clothing
Three main considerations are nee
essary a sa foundation on which to
build agricultural production; name.
~, more adequate credit "A ready and
standardized maret for everything q
farm produces and an efficient labor
saving and convenient equipment OF
the farm and the farm home.
We wish TO declare that a solemn
duty rests upon business men OF the
urban centers To share the RESPONSE
bility with the farmer In agricultural
production and distribution, that the
business OF agriculture may be made
"A profitable and attractive one
The Agricultural Department OF
the Texas Chamber OF Commerce Is
now working out plans whereby the
business men can function with the
farmer In agriculture. and We earn
estly call upon the business men OF
this state to cooperate with us IN
perfecting Of these plans In order
that agricultural production, the line
OF least resistance In Texas. may be
brought 20 a high state OF perfection
and that our industrial supersiruc-
ture NAV persist.
We urge the financial interests as
represented by the Federal Reserve
Bank. 10 make full use Of all It's
broad pow ers TO direct credit into the
channels OF production where II can
best serve the industry upon which
the well being OF the whole people