Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-29
THE FARMS.

Indiana"
LEAVING THE FARMS.
livery census for several de.
IL Genial periods has emphasized
the rapid growth of the cities a,
the expense Of the country, and
when the figures are published
there is generally a lot of wise talk
about the superior attractions OF
the city in amusements, comforts,
conveniences, etc. But lately the
feeling is growing that it is purely
our economic pull that draws
young men and women from the
country to the city. Many of them
who leave the farms and come to
the city would much rather stay in
the country if they could earn as
much. The wage of the farm la
borer, taking into account the
value of his board and lodging is
not over $500 a day and employ
ment is scarce in the winter. The
agricultural bloc at Washington
is just now trying to get the SEN
ate to discuss the needs of the
farmer before they take up the
wants and demands Of the owners
of ships. The president and the
republican party leaders insist
that the wants of the ship owners
should be considered first and
farm relief afterward, if congress
has time.
Meanwhile our special cores
pendent at Washington informs us
that the farm bloc is determined,
with the aid of the democrats, to
put the needs Of the farmers ahead
Of the needs Of the ship owners in
the order Of discussion.
Thousands Of the country's agri-
cultural population are being fore
ed by present economic conditions
to leave their farms and ranches in
the hope of finding employment
and a livelihood in urban industry.
This mitigation from the land to
the towns and cities is taking place
in practically every section of the
country. Not only agricultural la
borers but tenants and wners OF
farms are represented in this great
and ominous movement.
The department of agriculture
has been gathering statistics on the
subject and finds that in July, Aug
ust, and September persons who
left the farms for the cities were
twice the normal number. In a
! summary of economic conditions
affecting agriculture just issued by
the bureau of agricultural econom-
les of the department of agricul-
ture, appears this statement:
Another development of great
significance is the movement of
the population from farms into ur-
ban industry. Figures compiled
within the month by this depart
ment indicate a very abnormal
movement of population from
farms to towns now taking place.
| Thus has the economic unbalance
of three years brought its final,
painful-but irresistible correc-
tive force into action"
Secretary of Agriculture Wal
lace, in his annual report, refers to
this exodus from the land Of farm
ers and farmers sons" but ex-
pressed the opinion that it was q
hopeful sign" because 1T means
a more rapid readjustment.'
Members of congress, especially
those from middle western, west
ern and southwestern states, do not
share Secretary Wallace's comfort
able view of the situation. They
regard this migration from the
land as a sign of the gravity OF
agricultural conditions not only al
the present but for the future
They do not believe it promises q
more rapid readjustment," but q
curtailment of production and q
serious aggravation Of economic
problems in the large cities and in.
dustrial districts.
Bankruptcy now and utter lack
Of prospect for the future are rea.
sons for the shifting of farmers
and agricultural 1aborers from the
farms to the urban centers, these
congressman contend. The prices
of agricultural products are now
and have been for many months be.
low the cost of production. The
farmers are unable to pay their
| debts, hire help or support their
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