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Show THE RICH COUNTY REAPER. RANDOLPH. UTAH Rural Americas Future Prosperity or Hard Times All Second Draftee Was All For Taking No Chances Depends on Action of Farmers During. Present Period 400 Per Cent Increase in Income Over 29 Causes Boom Danger to Arise By VIRGINIA VALE Released by Western Newspaper Union. WILL THIS WAR PRODUCE A LAND BOOM ON AMERICAN FARMS? a long breath relief, DRAWlads who secretly adore of This question concerns not only agricultural economists, but everyone who lives on or near a farm. Its answer will largely determine future prosperity or hard times for rural America. Greer Garson with her marriage to Richard Ney postponed until after the war there may still be a chance for you! At least, at the moment there is; one never knows what to be sure of when a Hollywood marriage carry matches. as of At Every previous war has brought its own land boom that left a wreckage of deflation behind. Under ordinary circumstances and with an ordinary war, the current situation would be ripe for history to repeat itself. The elements for a first-claboom are present. But from Pearl Harbor down to the moment, farm real estate values have defied preceMore, and Still More dent by remaining below War I levels. Every productive acre of farm land will be called on to yield more Meanwhile agricultural income food for Uncle Sams expanding has zoomed to record highs, proarmed froces in 1943 and to meet duction has reached unheard-o- f e demands. As a result 1943 outlook prompeaks and the the value of farm land as an inises further expansion. Farm economists are frankly puz- vestment will be enhanced. zled over the trend of land prices (Above) U. S. Army Quarteralbut they unanimously hope it con- master Corps receives and for food locates troops. shipments sense tinues. They credit the good of farmers themselves with the (Right) Rising demand for dairy fact that farm real estate prices products spurs activities in creamhave risen so slightly thus far. They ery and bottling plants toand helps record boost farm income point out that while the danger of a boom exists, farmers themselves highs. have the power to head it off. ed States by the end of this year. Production Picture Brilliant. More milk cows are grazing AmeAs the 1942 crop year ends, farm ricas pastures than ever before conditions never appeared more 26,000,000 to be exact. Egg propromising. More than 15 billion dol- duction for 1942 is estimated at 50 lars will flow into farmers pockets billion. Poultrymen are receiving from this years bumper harvest. top prices for their production. And The biggest previous figure was 14 V2 to mention one or two other items, billion dollars in 1919. This years there is more hay than ever; and farm total is nearly four times the the potato crop of 376,309,000 bushb depression income of 414 bil- els beats all previous records. lion dollars in 1932. When operating Ordinarily whenever an industry costs, including taxes, interest, does as well as farming has done, wages for labor, machinery and oth- there is a tendency to speculate. er items are deducted this year, Those already in the business seek farmers should have a spendable in- to expand their operations. Others come of from four to five billion seek to get in on the bonanza. And dollars for living, savings and in- soon a spiraling boom is born. vestment. Farm families will have A survey of the rural real estate an average of $438 more to spend market revealed that recently this year than last. farms are selling in increasing numThe production picture is equally bers, but no unusual price advances brilliant. are yet noticeable. For example, the 1942 corn crop The Farm Credit corporation and is reckoned at 3,132,000,000 bushels been insurance a record exceeded only by 1920 leaders in companies have farm their liquidating and then by but a slight margin. It is estimated that the The crop ordinarily runs between holdings. FCA has disposed of more than 2 and 2 billion bushels, but dipped since 1938. Some insurfarms 25,000 billion in the drouth ance down to 1 companies report they have sold more than 90 per cent of the farms they acquired during the depression. In recent months thousands of Midwest farms have changed hands in individual farm auction sales. Analysis of the transactions revealed that 60 per cent of the buyers were farmers, half of whom were tenants. Of the tenants, most were former landholders who had lost out during the depression, when 2,100,-00- 0 With farms were foreclosed. farm income on the rise, these tenants are getting back on their feet and able to make down payments on farms of their own. Of the 40 per cent buyers, a large group represented city dwellers approaching retirement age who have bought farms in order to live reasonably on their pensions and income from savings. How long this paradoxical situation of high farm income and low farm real estate values will conMore bread for doughboys means tinue, economists do not care to a bigger wheat producing job for predict. But they point out three factors which at present make the American farm land. farm picture of World War II difyears of 1934 and 1936. Despite the ferent from that of World War I: A Different Farm Picture. huge 1942 crop, corn commands a 1. Todays farmers would high price. The wheat yield this year will be rather get out of debt than into the largest since the miracle crop it. Hence they are not bidding of 1915 and the market price is the up the farm real estate market by seeking additional land. Inhighest since 1929. stead they are paying off mortHogs have returned to their traditional role of mortgage gages and investing their surlifter. They are more numerplus funds in War Bonds. They are making needed repairs on ous than ever and worth more buildings and building up their per pound. The $5 hog of a few lands productivity by the adeyears ago has been replaced by quate use of fertilizers and by the $15 hog. In excess of a 100 other soil conservation measmillion hog crop was figured for ures. this year and even more produc2. The hangover aftermath of tion is expected for 1943. War Is land speculation since World are the highest Beef prices 1920. It is estimated that on Januspree is still fresh in the memory of most farmers. Farmers ary 1, 1943, cattle and calves will are hedging on the future by number about 77 million head or million increase present earna plowing back more than three ings into their present holdings for each of the last two years. The without attempting any expan1942 calf crop is probably the highest sion. on record, totaling 32 million head. 3. The present farm labor Sheep and lamb marketings have shortage and the rationing of established records and the average farm machinery are effective price is the best in 20 years. deterrents to the urge to acMilk. of Niagara 120 of quire more land. A Niagara milk, exceeding Lets look first at the debt situabillion pounds, will have cascaded The extent to which farmers tion. Unit the into dairy pails throughout is concerned. any rate, right now, this one is delayed; seems, according to Lieutenant Neys announcement, that there was no place where they could be married until 10 oclock, when the time came, so they decided to wait. ss pre-Wor- . The draftee on his way to camp asked a stranger, Draftee Number Two: Do you have a match? Sure, was Number Twos reply, but Im not giving you any. asked the first, Why not? Well, explained Two, well get to chinning. And if we get to chinning well wind up buddies. If we are in the same squad, then well both volunteer together for special missions. Maybe well even get a dangerous night job, then well have to use flashlights. And if the flashlights should go out some night in enemy territory, I sure dont want to be stranded with someone who doesnt even & RKO is launching a new series of feature pictures, all about a rookie, using a new comedy team. First will come Adventures of a Rookie ; after that itll be a case of Everywhere the army goes, the rookies sure to go. ld Lend-Leas- low-eb- non-farm- er m As a direct result of Margos acting on the CBS Caravan Hour shes the first feminine narrator in movies in RKOs Women at War, one of several short subjects in RKOs are using their expanded income to get out of hock was disclosed by A. G. Black, head of the Farm Credit administration, who recently pointed out that a large percentage of farm mortgages are now being paid off ahead of schedule. The nations farm mortgage debt has been reduced to 614 billion dollars the lowest figure in 25 years. There are fewer foreclosures and other distress transfers than at any time in the past 20 years. Farmers realize more than ever before that a healthy, liquid financial condition is the safest goal these days, said a recent statement of the Middle West Soil Improvement committee. Such a goal means getting debts out of the way. It means building up the blood strains of livestock and eliminating MARGO This Is America series. As a reIn 749 war production plants, 79 sult of her charm, she was chosen par cant of 434,600 worker Atin Air of the Corps queen Army arrive by private automobile. the It means mak- lantic City. And because she wantThatc why war worker mut have tiro. ing needed repairs on the house and ed to so much, Mexican-bor- n Margo understood that 54,000 When It barn. It means paying particular recently became an American citicommunities in this country depend attention to the fertility level of the zen. entirely upon highway transport. m soil. Uon, the importance of the rubber situation will be appreciated. Long-Ru- n Mrs. Albert Wassell, Earning Power. Thera ware 10.74 pound of cruda This last is of particular impor- mother of war hero, Lieut. Com. rubber In tha average passentance, for the real value of land is Corygon M. Wassell, was invited to ger car tire made In 1940. In 1941 tha rubber content wa Increased dependent on its long-ru- n earning come to Hollywood as Paramounts to 10.49 pounds. power. Thus any investment in a guest, since Cecil B. DeMille is filmThe overall weight of the average relife. Wassell Mrs. sons program that will pay ing her passenger car hre in 1940was21.S3 There was only one star 1 dividends in years to come is an fused. pounds, while in 1941 it was 21.69 to to pounds. far ever to cared a farms see, go that important contribution That was Rushe wrote her son. Thorn Is farmer In Osborne, future productivity. lewa, who still carries as a serviceable spare, a tire that cam In wartime as in peace, the farm- dolph Valentino and hes dead. She but to movies doesnt on his car as original equipment often, go er can obtain valuable information In 1917. He lacks up the wheels when tha car Is net In as. from his county agent or agrono- thinks Jimmy Stewarta is the star man. most as son her like young mists at the state agricultural exBut hardly likely that he can periment station in developing his take its off from the army for the time soil improvement plan. Such a prorole. , of include should the gram raising legumes to provide necessary nitroSeven years ago in November gen, the commercial supply of which Fred MacMurray made his first picis now largely required by munitions factories. It should include ture on the Paramount lot, playing Claudette Colbert in The regular crop rotation and the use of opposite sufficient quantities of fertilizer con- Gilded Lily. Remember? He does there he was in an role, taining phosphorus and potash to and nervous doesnt important half describe encourage plant growth. the way he felt. Today theyre It should include pasture improvecalled No in a gay ment. By means of such a program, Time for Love; comedy shes a lady and the soils future fertility level can hes a sandhog, be assured and its immediate output of foods and fibers for war and civilEd (Archie) Gardner has turned ian needs increased. down Metros overtures to make a Most ' farmers instinctively celluloid version of the airs Duffear a repetition of the World fys. Hes working hard to bring WNU W 4942 War I land boom. Their hindhis new radio program up to the top of the list before signing up with sight has taught them many valuable lessons from the bitter Hollywood execs for whom he last HOTEL BEN LOMOND worked as a radio director. experience of the 1920s and ear- ly 30s. If they profit by that hindsight, they can escape the Joseph Calleia, of "For Whom the headache of a land collapse. Bell Tolls, is head of the Malta counWorld War I was a story of agri- War Relief organization in this ; his parents, who are English and try cultural upsurge. Farm income rose live in Malta, and recently from 6 billions in 1914 to 14 bil- Spanish, that the bouse in which he he heard 1919. lions in High prices and a was born has been blasted to bits. ready market for agricultural products, plus easy credit facilities, enNorman Tokar and Jacie Kelk, couraged farmers to bid up land who were play Henry and Homer bought on specprices. Farms ulation with the expectation of a respectively in radios The Aldrich quick sale at a profit. Land values Family, never feel absolutely sure were inflated from an average of that theyre going to hold their jobs thats because practically every $40 per acre in 1914 to $70 in 1920. Within those six years farm real page boy at NBC covets those roles. & estate rose in total value from 39 Dick Powell was working in Hapbillion dollars to 66 billions. The sequel was a crash that still py Go Lucky, and his wife, Joan Family Booms for 4 persons . . 4.M the land with Air Cooled Leant end Lobby reverberates. Land prices fell from Blondell, was touring Caravan. So, Victory Dining Beam CoSes Shop Tap Beam an average of $70 per acre to $28. the Hollywood Bom f More than a third of the nations for the first time within anybodys orKiwania Executives Rotary six million farms were foreclosed memory, an extra telephone was bet Exchange Optimist' dered installed on a movie lot, Chamber of Cammsrc and Ad Cl lb by the end of the depression. All cause the Powells are so devoted farm land and buildings declined that they kept calling Hotel Ben Lomond from 66 billions to 31 billions. Even to each other on other each long distance, making OGDEN. UTAH today farm real estate is worth the one phone on the set unavailable Habert E. Vlsick. Mgr. only 36 billion dollars less than it for business calls. was before World War I. 1 soil-buildi- "M-l- |