Evening star., 1932-07-20

SuDStdntldl gains II the prices OF n0gS
and increasing confidence in the gen.
eral live stock market are impressive to
the whloe country, especially to agricul-
tural areas, as an omen of better times
to come. The rise in hogs has been
steadily maintained. and it is believed
possible that commodity prices all along
the line may be lifted.
Nothing could be more cheering to
the country than the embarrassment
of the experts" exclaims the Portland
Oregonian, pointing out that in the
face of their dire predictions, hog prices
marched up the stairs out Of the eco
nomic cellar for % days straight, and
cattle prices have climbed at the same
time" The situation suggests to the
Oakland Tribune that not all peSsi-
mistic predictions, though honestly pre-
Gicated. come true" as it recalls that
three months ago producers were
warned that overproduction was more
serious than ever, and they could look
for no Improvement in prices.
IF present tendencies continue" &C
cording to the Topeka Daily Capital,
'stockmen will experience the much
hoped-for relief which Congress for 10
years has painfully, laboriously and un-
successfully endeavored to give them.
Returns from live stock aggregate In
dollars about one-half of all returns OF
agriculture. so that profitable price
for live stock is of wide benefit to the
farmer. This is true. Notwithstanding
that much of the crop returns are con-
tanned in the price paid on the hoof. 1t
makes little difference where the farmer
gets it, provided it comes in somewhere.
If the farmer is not ready to take ad-
vantage of an improved market, never
theless his credit is benefited. He can
borrow from banks to hold his live
stock until ready for market, and many
farmers will accordingly be saved from
ruin
1.-THE advance In prices In the past
month" says the Providence Bulletin,
has added approximately s350,000, ,00o
to the value of live stock on the farms
of the five States of Nebraska, Iowa.
Kansas Missouri and South Dakota" !"
The bulletin adds: In addition, there
has been no rush of farmers to send
their stock to market and thus produce
a glut which would encourage falling
prices. Their course Is due in some
measure to more intelligent marketing
policy and in some measure to the fact
that low prices. poor pasturage and
months have brought about an actual
reduction in the number Of hogs and
cattle on the farms. 1t will, Of course
take a lot more than good live stock
prices to pull the American farmer out
of the depression, in which he has been
mired even longer than the rest of the
country. But the West, perhaps not
without reason. looks upon the advance
in hogs and cattle as an omen of a
lifting of the clouds that is to come"
This Is no time" advises the Duluth
Herald, ito be short of the market on
America, which may snap back suddenly
into prosperity any day, though it is
more likely that the country already
has started slow but steady climb up
toward the heights of-Heaven forbid!
another boom" The Philadelphia In
quirer remarks: Hog farmers are
making money, and so are the cattle
raisers. Beeves are up. There is activ-
ity in the markets. The president of
declares that no other thing that has
happened since the depression began
has heartened me so much as the con-
tinued rise in live stock prices If COM
modify prices go up, he adds, then the
purchasing power Of the farmer will be
restored. Daylight is breaking on the
Western farms. 1t is hopeful sign"
THE ray of sunshine has been get
ting stronger and brighter" records
the Omaha World-Herald. That paper
finds it encouraging to see expectation
among live stock interests that the gain
made will be held. IF, indeed, further
gains are not recorded in the next few
weeks" and continues: The demand
for meat is good, packer stocks are
moderate and the supply coming In to
the market is somewhat below normal.
We suggested previously that this con-
'lition would iSause Nebraska to smile.
That predicton has been literally full