| Show farm indebtedness Is cut 25 per cent in past five years farmers are using their larger I 1 incomes wisely in reducing their indebtedness many have paid oft off all their mortgages and others have reduced their obligations far more rapidly than their schedule of payments required the total mortgage indebtedness on farms has declined at least 25 per tent cent during tile the last five years farmers are much better prepared financially to meet readjustments that may be necessary in another way farmers are acting wisely in order to avoid heavy losses later they are trying to keep prices of farms from sky rocketing as land did in 1910 1019 and 1920 1020 only to be followed by a collapse which was a heavy burden for many years the danger Is not yet past for farms are being sold in many cases over 50 per cent higher than in prewar times the situation Is becoming a little better now and the prospects are more promising merchants and business men in rural communities and smaller towns are preparing to meet changed conditions for their prosperity Is so closely tied up with that of the farmers conditions tor for them are lery ery good as indicated by the rise of bank deposits in agricultural regions by higher retail bretall sales and increased consumer demand tor for both goods and services merchants are trying hard to get the goods for which the demand Is so large the good judgment and wise management which has already successfully accomplished so co much will help not only the farmers but also the entire country during the postwar period wo we are ready to face whatever comes much has been done and even more Is going to be accomplished to make the future as prosperous as possible there has been some unemployment due to closing down of plants engaged in the manufacture of war material |
