Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-06-08
BABSON SAYS
Depression Slight on Pa
cific Coast

ing the last year coalitions have been
better on the Pacific coast than in
any other part of the country. Mr..
Babson has explained this by show
ing that the present depression start,
ed in the east in December, 1919,
reached Ohio in the latter part of 1920
and is now centered in the Mountain
states. With the exception of the
northwest, the depression area has
not been felt to any great extent on
the Pacific coast. This he says is the
primary reason why California is
still prosperous. He, however, gives
another reason which he illustrates as
follows: GA real estate man from Los
Angeles was travelling in one of the
southern states. He happened to be
in small town in which a funeral
was being held for one of the leading
citizens. Out of respect to one of
his friends who was going to the flu
neral he went along also. After the
local preacher had read the service
and made some laudatory remarks re-
garding the deceased, he followed an
old custom of asking any one present
to add such words as they felt moved
to say. No one seemed to be moved
to add anything to the eulogy. After
some moments of embarrassing 81
lence, the stranger from California
rose and spoke as follows: Il did
not know the deceased and hence can
not say anything for or against him,
but do know California and I want
TO take this opportunity of telling
you all what a fine state it is. He
thereupon spent fifteen minutes in tab
ulating the assets of his state.
BELIEVE IN ADVERTISING
"This simple story forcibly illus
trates a great factor in the prosperity
of the south Pacific states. The people
of California believe in advertising.
They have organized associations to
sell this state and its products. We
have been taught to eat California
oranges instead of Florida oranges.
We eat California raisins instead of
Louisiana rice We look toward Cal
ifornia for the perfect climate, when
several other localities doubtless have
climates just as good.
'In spite of the 40 percent loss in
their fruit crop due to a freeze last
February, and so percent loss in tour
list crop, due to the depression in the
east, California has kept on advertis-
ing. Instead of going into serious
it has managed to execute
a sidewise movement
Washington and Oregon have not
Jared so well during the last year.
cfo hoUQ
once more the fundamental
law that depressions start in the north
and east and continue to work south
and west. laundering, the chief in
dustry of these states, has for some
time been in depression. 1t has
been operating as low as so percent of
its normal capacity. The ebb tide in
this particular industry has been
caused by unfavorable building con-
ditions and the fact that the freight
rates are not equitable. The lumber
industry in this section is from 1000
TO $500 mil S from its largest mar
kets. The rail rate increases of 1920
gave tremendous advantages to the
southern lumbermen in markets long
shared with the western interests.
Some adjustment has been made to he
sure and of course the situation will
be eventually righted.
AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY
Extraordinarily the Pacific north
west has been doing very well. Like
California. associations have been
formed to market its products. Wash
inoton apples are sold in every city IN
the country, and are the only apples
tba4 know of which are sold under
the brand name. with which the pub
lie has become familiar by advertising
and has been taught to ask for. The
strong point in favor of the coast
farmer is, he practices wide diver
sifcation of crops and is not crippled
nv sharp price decline in any one
line Small herds of cattle are seen
everywhere. Dairying has developed
along substantial lines. Sclen1inc
mower farming is almost universal
Inst at present general business IN
and Oregon is about 30
of normal compared with Gar
ifornia which is running 30 percent
Fundamental conditions favor the two
northern states because they have been
tbrough the worst of their depression
and should see a gradual and steady
;,,nrovement later on this spring.
while relatively in a bet
Ter position, Just now must meet the
worst of the depression and at best
can but maintain sidewlse movement
at present levels.
off California manages. as well as
she started in steming the decline she
will stand as unique example OF tne
tremendous power of advertising ana
collective marketing.
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