Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1921-08-06
PROFITS COMING BACK
E. I. Meredith, Des Moines Agricultural
Publisher, Says Farm Profits Are
Coming Back


1t is a law Of nature that action is
equal to reaction in the opposite direc-
ton. For instance, pendulum always
swings almost as far one way as it went |
in the opposite direction on the preced-
ing swing A slight tap when it starts
back may send it farther than it went
on the up stroke, says L T Meredith in |
Successful Farming, Des Moines pub. |
ication.
Business has its ups and downs as
does the pendulum. In many respects
business expansions and depressions are
almost as regular as is the ticking Of the
clock. When business reaches the peak
Of its climb we can always rest assured
lhat there will be a decline at least near
y as far. The World War really served
as vigorous push rather than a light
tap on the business pendulum of the
world and sent it up and up almost to
its zenith, in fact, many feared the force
Of the impact would cause it to dash
from the beaten path and crash to des-
truCtion. But the upward swing stop
ped before the break, and for the last
year and half we have been witness
ing the backward swing,
Many facts indicate that it is now
about time for the business pendulum OF
he United States to return in the direc-
ton Of business recovery. And in the
revival Of business which is sure to oc
cur, We anticipate that farming will be
one Of the first lines of business to be
benefited.
There are several reasons why the far
mer now should take an optimistic viev
of his business situation The wheat
oarrying-oyer from this season has been
the smallest in years The latest infOI-
nation indicates that the 1921 crop is no
larger than the 1920 crop.
Stocks of wheat at terminals and in
country elevators are reported to be
more than so per cent lower than a year
ago The visible supply is the smailesr
in eighteen years
The supply of flour in the hands OF
| merchants as well as consumers is yer,
low. There was 20 per cent less flour
manufactured during the year ending
June lst than during the preceding year
OF vital interest to farmers is the fact
hat there is a decided shortage in live
stock. If the per capita consumption Of
meat and meat products were suddenly
to return to normal the demand for
meat would be far greater than the sup
ply.
During the first five months of 1921
| there were 7,7l6 business failures in the
| United States as compared with ISIS
for the corresponding period of 1920
An expert statistician estimates that at
| present there are about three million
persons ordinarily employed in indus
tries in the United States out of employ
ment consumes three times as much Of
the things people eat, wear and use, as
it does when the head of the family is
out of employment. Latest information
indicates that the number of unemploy-
ed has probably reached the maximum
and that unemployment is now on the
decline.
One can readily see that as workers in
textile mills, shoe factories, automobile
factories, furniture factories, etc, are
resumiug employ ment, their require
ments will be proportonately increased
Certainly this means a greater demand
and better prices for all the things which
are produced by farmers. Lack of en-
ployment cannot be improved until uti-
tilization of products produced is re-
sumed.
Add to all this the determination OF
! the farmers Of this country to take a
| hand in the marketing Of their own pro
ducts, which most assuredly will result
in farmers getting better prices or at
least getting a larger percentage Of the
dnal selling price of their stuff, together
with the probable reduction in freight
rates, and we have ample reason for
feeling optimistic in regard to the situa-
tion the farmer will find himself in a
| few months hence.
There are other favorable signs and
we will admit few clouds on the hor-
zon, but taking it all in all the situation
warrants reasonable optimism Better
times for agriculture are coming, and
coming soon. The farmers who profit
most during the next few years will be
those who keep eyes and ears wide open
for every bit Of information that will
help them to Judge what is best for them
to do in the conduct Of their own bust
| ness
| Buy the things you need to enable
you to produce crops and livestock eco
nomically. fyou can cut the cost of
producing a bushel of wheat by 10 cents,
that is equivalent to getting 10 cents
bushel more for 1t.
FOERTSCH TO BE GIVEN PRE-
| LIMINARY HEARING AUG.