The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-07-31
FOREIGN TRADE
AND PRICES ARE
BADLY MUODLED
Misunderstanding Pre-
walls, Particularly
Among Farmers; Sit
uation Explained.

Washington.-ln the midst OF cm-
barrassmentS under which some OF the
farmers OF the country are laboring.
there haze been recent efforts 10 clear
up some MISUNDERSTANDING concern
ing the relation OF agricultural pro-
ducts and values to our foreign trade.
Unfortunately the task has been con-
siderably confused by the effort to
make political capital out OF the situ-
alton. For instance, the Democrats
have repeatedly charged that the de-
preston in the wheat market has been
due to the refusal OF the United States
to Join the League OF Nations, which
refusal. it is asserted. has injured our
foreign trade and diminished buying
OF American products by Europeans.
Such a statement is not borne out
by the facts of record. Our foreign
trade as a whole and our exports OF
agricultural products in particular.
are on the average far higher than
they were during the ten-year period
prior TO the war. The facts in this
regard were 81 forth recently hy
Secretary OF Agriculture Wallace who
said. among other things:
Take our eight principal food crops
OF corn. wheat. oats. barley. rye.
buciswhea,. rice and potatoes The
average annual exports of these eight
crops for the years 1920 to 1922. in
elusive. were l42 per cent greater than
the average annual exports OF these
same crops for the years 1905 to 1914.
inclusive During the past three years
our corn exports were 81 per cent
greater than in the pre-war years
named; our wheat exports. l|O per
cent greater; our oats exports. 81 per
cent greater; barley. 10 per cent
greater: rye. 1000 per cent greater;
buckwheat. ia per cent greater; rice,
2.2l2 per cent greater: potatoes. Us
per cent greater. The total volume OF
exports OF these crops, measured in
bushels, was greater by lS per cent
during the postwar years. 1920 to
1922 inclusive. than during what we
may call the war years, 1915 to 1919.
inclusive.
In the case of animal food products
our average annual exports during the
pre-war years, 1905 to 1914. inclusive.
amounted to 9ll 900 tons. During the
war years. 1915 20 1919. inclusive. our
exports more than doubled. being an
average of 2,O23,000 tons. During the
postwar years. 1920 to 1922, inclu-
sive, our exports amounted to l,4Ol.-
900 tons. an increase OF 81 per cent
over the pre-war period. From these
statistics it ought 10 be perfectly clear
that low prices for farm products were
not caused by lack OF export demand.
The suggestion has been made that
farmers who are now producing crops
for which they do not find ready
market should turn to certain crops
which are not produced IN the United
States in sufficient quantities to sup
ply the home demand but which we
import in considerable quantity from
other countries. An inspection OF re-
cent reports OF our foreign commerce
shows among other things the follow
ng commodities imported; Wool TO
The value OF l64 million dollars; to-
,acco. 67 million dollars; linseed oil
md soy bean oil. 4 millions; grape
iruit and lemons, pa millions; nuts.
many OF which could be produced in
he United States. 2l millions: COW.
:alf, sheep and goat skins. l5 mil
ions: cheese. II millions; food ami
mails, millions These figures cover
only 10 months OF the present fiscal
year as trade statistics have been COM
piled only TO the end OF april.