Farmers, Mail Orders

For several years the lament over the farmer's sad lot has been a conspicuous political asset to many Congressmen and Senators. In consequence, to state that the farmer is experiencing prosperity is, for such politicians, like depriving a she-bear of her whelps.

Nevertheless, such a conclusion is inevitable. For one thing, sales of automobiles--high priced pleasure cars as well as Fords and tractors-- have been unusually good. Even more significant is the evidence of the great Chicago mail-order houses, which serve primarily a rural clientele.

In October, sales by Sears, Roebuck & Co. were $30,374,605, a monthly figure not exceeded since the fall of 1919, when October sales amounted to $33,356,448, those of November to $31,351,707, and those of December to $31,127,276. Even more impressive were the sales for last October by Montgomery Ward & Co. of $21,964,882--the largest month in the history of the concern. Sales of both concerns for last month were larger than for any previous month, and it is freely predicted that both companies will establish new high records of monthly sales during the coming year.

As between the two concerns, Montgomery Ward & Co. is undoubtedly growing the faster (TIME, June 16, 1924). Last October was the 45th consecutive month in which their sales were greater than in the preceding year, while it was only the 14th month in which the same could be said for Sears, Roebuck & Co.