Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-05-16

along two lines-credit relief am
price stimulation.
Credit relief of some sort was OBJ
vieusly imperative. But the measure
taken to improve the relation of farm
prices to the prices that farmers pa,
were most extraordinary. They com
prices to the prices that farmers pay
tailment or actual crop destruction
which, in conjunction with last years
drought created unprecedented short.
ages in agricultural supplies. This is
shown by the following comparison Of
imports during March 1884 and March
1885:
March "a March '35
Butter lbs. ~ 29,329 4,928,551
Corn, bushels . 1892 $780,, 529
Oats, bushels . 153 1886, 241
Meat products,
lbs. - 100000 1850, OOC
Cottonseed cake and
meal, lbs. .... 90,760 1885, $3.50
Since 1882 the prices received by
farmers, as compared with the prices
paid by farmers for the things they
buy, have been rising. This advance in
agricultural prices has worked serious
hardship on urban consumers without
benefting farmers in like proportion.
Owing to the drought and crop re-
striction, farmers have had much less
to sell at the higher prices. In fact, it
appears that the chief benefciaries of
the policies of our agricultural depart
ment have been foreign agriculturists
who, without the handicap of Ameri-
can restriction, have been able to sell
large quantities of their produce at
good prices both in the U. S. market
and in the competitive world markets.
This year, however, with the ratio
of farm prices to other prices again
favorable, and with restrictions relax
ed, the U. S. farmer appears likely to
have the most prosperous year he has
experienced since the war.
Through foreclosures, extensions
and refinancing measures, the credit
situation in the agricultural industry
has been eased. Much land that never
should have been farmed has been
abandoned. Thus more normal,
sound and healthy situation is being
built up.
AS result of this actual and fur
ther contemplated improvement United
Business Service, a confidential week.
y business forecast publication recon-
nends the sale forces of companies to
concentrate their efforts on the farm
er. We quote in part from United:
Assuming that agricultural purchas-
ng power will be substantially 81 in
creased during the current year as a |
result of better prices and the lifting
If restrictions, the farm credit posi-
ion will be still further improved be-
;ause payment can be resumed on in
iebtedness which has fallen into
lrrears."
For manufacturer of agricultural
lumber and paint, and for
al the dealers that sell supplies to
farmers, this improvement in farm
buying power will be reflected in in
creased sales"
A strong tangible indication OF the
recovery in farm purchasing power is
indicated in Rockville today. A large
modern building is being erected to
accommodate the Sanitary Grocery
Company, the Peoples Drug Store and
an aforementioned motion picture
theatre. Moreover, a new restaurant is
being completed and plans are in
course of preparation for a store,
apartment and Office building on the
site of the Old Seco Theatre. 1t can
not be denied that Rockville is depen-
dent in no small degree on the pros
perity of its surrounding farmers. Its
progress therefore righteously reflects
a better feeling of economic security
fhVOr1 r~11