The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1929-11-01

is Ger J<llIllg not relle1 from produDltlou.
Foes of prohibition vociferously assert
that the American farmer has lost millions
of dollars through the oustlng of its liquor
traffic. The contrary is true, as studies OF
the publications of the United States De-
partment of Agriculture disclose. Further
more, great farmer organizations such as
the Grange, for instance, which are deep
ly concerned over the financial, social,
moral and economic welfare of the farmer,
declare that prohibition has been boon
to the farmer and to his industry. A re-
cent statement of the executive committee
of the National Grange appeals TO t1e
900 members to uphold prohibition.
Nearly ten years experience with a sa-
loonless nation has convinced the Ameri-
can farmer that economically, socially,
financially and morally our country Is
much improved under the operation of
prohibition legislation. The fact that has
impressed the farmer is the increased pur-
chasing power that has come TO the
American workman as the result OF the
proper enforcement of our dry laws. Men
who used to spend their money for drink,
now have the money for shoes, bread, meat
and comforts of life. The millions and
millions that used to be spent for drink
are now passing through channels of trade
benefiting the nation, and agriculture Is
getting its proportionate return
According to reports of the Department
of Agriculture, and statistics of the Treas
ury Department, only an infinitesimal part
of the corn crop of the United States ever
was used in the manufacture of potable
alcoholic LIQUORS In 1917, the last fully
wet year, the corn yield was 1855, 233 900
bushels. Of that amount 33 973 1858 bushels
or about per cent, was used in the pro-
Ciuction of alcoholic liquor and alcohol for
all purposes. In 1927 the crop was 2.786,-
$50 900 bushels and 1883 bushels were
used for industrial, medicinal and other
LEGAL alcohol The decrease of corn used
for distillation, therefore, was approx
Snately IS 600 900 bushels, considerably less
than l cent of the CROP and this
amount was otherwise consumed.
In prohibition days the surplus, al
ways problem as 1t is now, was greater
problem than now. The year book of the
Department of Agriculture shows that in
1877 the net export of corn was 15 per
cent of the crop. In 1926 it was Z per
cent. In the liquor making years the sur
plus went as high as go per cent, and the
average for the last eight wet years was
much higher than for the past eight dry
years.
Average Price per DuSnSl Oh GOTH III llle
heyGay of distilling was So cents. The
average price since prohibition has been u
cents Therefore the farmer is getting an
average of Is cents bushel more than he
did in wet years. The great increase in
the use of breakfast foods vastly more
than takes care of the corn and other
grains that used to go into liquors. 1t does
not appear, from agricultural reports, that
farmers feel prohibition has ruined the
grain market, for the record is that corn
acreage, yield per acre End total yield, are
increasing.
The record shows that the rye market
was at first curtailed by prohibition, but
found immediate relief N increased use of
rye for notwithstanding beverages food
stuffs and export. In wet days rye was
heavily imported. Now the imports are
almost nil, figures showing that "a per cent
of the rye produced in America is used
here at home. In the wet years, war period
excluded prices ran from 80 to Sc cents
bushel but prices since prohibition have
run from IS cents to SIPS. Acreage
planted to rye, average yield and total
crops have all increased. As a matter of
fact, less than one-eighth of the rye pro-
duced in the United States ever went into
intoxicants. An extremely small amount
of rye is now used in the manufacture Of
alcohol, but the farm value of rye is great
er than in the wet days. Farm values Of
rye now average $50 100000 a year; in wet
years, the war period excluded, they aver
Am ~