The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-11
PLAN BIG PROGRAM VARY in GUESSES
Talent Secured Crop Predictions
Teachers Associations Pastime In Kansas.
Fiy-Eighh Wheat Results From 1O2
ton in Four Kansas Cities. Million Bushels.
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 35 ALWAYS WORRIES The FARMER
Entertainment Program Kansans Don't Like of
General Sessions. Too Bright Prospects.
Distinguished English Singer They Are Afraid OF the Effect
VIII Be Here. Grain Markets.
Crop Predictions Has Become
a Pastime in Kansas.
Wheat Results From 1O2 to 40
Million Bushels.
WORRIES THE FARMER
Kansans Don't Like Idea of
Too Bright Prospects.
They Are Afraid of the Effect
on Grain Markets.

Estimating the probable Kansas
wheat yield is booming almost as
much pastime as demonstrating
election results, and E. c. Paxton. fed
eral grain statistician for Kansas, is
beginning to fear the field is going to
become SO full of prophets he will be
! forced to seek q new occupation. And
farmers all over the state are taking a
hand in matters
Less than month ago J. C. MohIer,
secretary OF the state board of agri-
culture, issued a crop report in which
he estimated the Kansas wheat crop
at lis million bushels ImmediateIy
flood of protesting letters began to
pour into his office from farmers who
accused him OF bearing the market
while tickling the grain gamblers to
death. Maurice McAuIiffe. head of
the Farmers union. got busy at once
and put out an estimate in which he
said Kansas would not produce ninety
million bushels of wheat.
Then q private estimate was put by
grain firm in Kansas City, and
Mohler Immediately issued a special
report IN which he said there were
100000 acres more wheat than had
been accounted for in previous esti-
mates. This brought another protest
from farmers all over the state who
are trying to make conditions appear
as bad as possible.
Next, ]. r. Koontz. of the Santa Fe
railroad, put out an estimate, based
on reports from Santa Fe agents, in
which he estimated the crop at ITO
million bushels, and said in some sec
tions the crop was the best ever.
Reed Hits High Level.
Then, Thursday z. C. Paxton, the
government man. issued his regular
report in which he said Kansas would
not produce more than 102 million
bushels, and that the crop was about
the worst ever. And Friday, the next
day. Clyde NJ. Reed. chairman of the
public utilities commission, who made
the most accurate estimate of the
1920 crop of all estimators, and who
placed the yield higher than all the
rest, cam5- out with a statement in
which he predicted that there would
be 40 million bushels of wheat
threshed in Kansas this year If con-
ditions remained favorable.
Reed. as chairman of the utilities
commission, is keeping close tab on
the wheat conditions in an effort to
see that the railroads furnish enough
cars to haul the grain to market; and
it was in letter sent to the railroads
urging them to have a surplus of cars
on hand, that he estimated this years
crop at 140 million bushels.
1t is generally admitted that the
farmers have appeared more anxious
this year imam ever before TO avoid
making the prospect look too bright
Scores have written to the secretary of
the state board of agriculture urging
him not to put out any more reports
than necessary. and large numbers
have accused him of aiding the board
of trade operators by making the crop
look good and thus enabling them to
force down prices. However, Mohler
points out that when his May report
was issued wheat began to go up and
continued to do so for several days,
and he asserts that if it were not for
like his the board of trade
would have a much bet
ter chance to manipulate prices. He
points out that his board has twenty
reporters in every county and that an
effort is made to get the real facts
and take the Judgment of the majority
of these reporters.
I'VE always try to be conservative"
Mohler said. ~but we have the most
reliable men we can get in each COM
munity TO make reports to US, and we
believe our report represents the
honest Judgment of as many men who
are acquainted with conditions in their
as any other report put
ont