The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-06-03
$50 REGISTER
AS CHANGERS

AO UxGf1lNuIlV
CONTINUED from front page)
of production. This local over-produc-
ton has caused local price slashings
so that our home markets have been
den1oralized, for the unorganized far
mer will sell at home at the same
figure he would expect if he sold
elsewhere.
The result has been series OF
farm mortgage foreclosures and
bankruptcies unprecedented in the
history of the state. Farm values IN
this state have shrunk $193,331 ,O9S.
in five years according to the 1928
census figures. Business has been de-
moralized thruout the agricultural
sections of the state. We have suffer
ed scores of bank failures since 1920,
some counties being left without
bank in the county. In spite OF our
fast growing population. farm ADAM
donmtnt in most of our purely agri-
cultural counties has been enormous.
With very few exceptions these
conditions have not been brought
about by crop failures, but by lack
of satisfactory markets. The year
Just passed has been much better Tor
the farmers, but the primary cause
of the Improvement has been crop
shortages which have reduced our
burdensome surplus. With these facts
before us, we can not consider as
sound, any policy for agricultural
expansion until the farmers now on
the land can find profitable markets
for what they raise. To say that the
remedy for our agricultural situa-
tion lies in increased production
shows a small conception of actual
conditions.
Those favoring extensive agricul
tural expansion declare we are not
suffering from surplus production
but from lack of adequate distribu-
ton. This is merely a play upon
words. Whatever the cause of our
local surplus may be, is beside the
point. Until we have found and APP
piled the remedy, we must protect
the farmers now on the land and not
seek to put more there to increase
their heavy burden.
The remedy for SO large and COM
plex a question can not be pointed
out in any one formula, but it lies
largely in two directions-indust
development and better marketing.
Touching upon the educational
problems of the state, Mr.. Goss states
that it is subject which interests
every farmer. That while the costs
are great no special kick will be reg
istered if, when the child's education
is completed it will have obtained a
knowledge that will prove Of benefit
in after life. He says that if the con-
troll Of the state board of education
were placed in the hands of the par
ents whose children are being educat-
ed and who have to foot the bills, it
would go long way to solving the
problem of economy which we now
face. He thinks that the rural school
program is sound.
The message covers some thirty
five pages and covers the activities
Of the oranges in considerable detail.
The Tuesday evening meeting was
an open one and was well attended,
both by the visitors and the towns
people. Addresses were made by May
or j. c.. Leibee, President D. G. Rod
gers of the Commercial club and
Representative M. M. Moulton, as
well as G. C. Jewett, president of the
Spokane Federal Land Bank. Music
was furnished by the Lewis county
band.
Wednesday was occupied by degree
work and exhibition drills and the
routine business of the session.
Today Auburn was selected as the
next meeting place for the grange.
Four towns had issued invitations for
the next. session, Chehalis, Belling-
ham and Long Beach being contend
ers for the privilege.
Tomorrow will see the windup of
the business of the session and many
of the visitors will probably start on
their homeward trips.
kets only at the cost of excessive
freight charges which have freqent-
ly left the farmer less than the cost