The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1922-07-14
VOLUME XLIIT.
Walter Pierce Deals
With Farmer Problems

WdlLeI WI. lClScy opCdhhiS pSloiS
the Chautauqua at Gladstone, Satur-
day morning, dealt with Farmers
Problems" Lack of profits made,
high taxes and lack of modern con-
veniences were given, as some of
the difficulties which the farmers of
the country are facing and must ov-
ercome before the drift back to the
farm from the city can be secured.
In his address he said, in part:
"The first great problem Of the
farmer is this:
ale cannot balance his annual
budget. He is in position like, that
of many nations in Europe; his ex-
penses are too big for his income.
Reduction Of expense means lowering
the standards Of living. 1t means
giving up the few little conveniences
that we have provided in our country
homes, in fact, the things that are
generally considered necessities of
life.
1T takes four and one-half bushels
of wheat to make a barrel Of flour.
that wheat will bring the farmer to-
day about $4. If made into bread it
will make 260 loaves, which will cost
the consumer $26. Too much money
has disappeared in transportation and
profits. That bushel Of wheat has
cost the average farmer $1.25 if he
allows even 5 per cent interest upon
the assessed value of the land.
"A finished steer, weighing 1000
pounds, costs cattle raiser $50
That steer has sold during the last
12 months for about $50. In Other
words, the cattle that have been sole
in the Portland stock yards in the
last 12 months haveb cen sold at
loss to the cattle raiser, provided thu
cattleman is allowed per cent in
terest on the assessed value of hi
property. This steer has probabl.
cost the consumer about $3.50, To'
much money has disappeared be
tween the producer and the real con
sumer.
"The next great problem for tn
farmer is the excessive amount O
taxes demanded from him. The as
sessed value Of all farm land i'm
provements, cattle, sheep and all 9th
er personal property on the farm
is almost $4O0,OOO,0oo. This is jus
about the same amount Of money a
is on deposit in the banks In Oregon
These farms with the cattle an
sheep, pay 40 per cent of all taxes
Money assessed pays less than z pc
cent Of the taxes, as the assesse
value Of all money, notes and ac
counts in Oregon is only $21, ,ooO,oo'
Timber, railroads and all cities an
all other kinds of property pay onl
5s per cent of the taxes. Is it fair
More than so per cent Of rental va
ne today of Oregon's cases the ecor
omic rent of a farm is not enoug
to pay the taxes.
"Today more than one half Oh or'
CONS wealth is hidden away in SAT-
ty deposit boxes and Investment
that the assessor cannot find. or
half of the burden at least should !
taken from real estate and place
uuon intangible property, most
which has fixed dividend. This shou
he done in the form of an income ia
"oregon has increased IN popui
tion IS per cent in the last lo year
Assessed value has increased IN u
same time 20 per cent. State tax
IN the same period have lncreas'
kai per cent. Total taxes of all kin
have increased 243 per cent.
asix years ago we had no sta
bonds. Today we are the heavie
bonded state in the Union if veal
and population are considered
eve have a total bonded debt aut
orized and issued, in the state a
its subdivisions, of $1ss,eoo,ooo.
eAnother problem that is proml
ent in nearly every farm home Is t
interest that must be paid 1er mt
ev borrowed. The farms OF oreg
are mortgaged today for ever 20
100000 and until very recently !
farmers were paying an average
+erest of more than 8 per cent
attempt Of the money changers
have the federal farm loan act
clared unconstitutional has propa'
cost the farmers of Oregon mi
than s25,oOO,OoO. Short term CIR
its for harvest and contingencies
still an important problem"
THE WAYFARER
:, .snio u,i1i +.