MONOPOLY. 657 



The above estimate is probably too low, in some of 

 the States, at least. 



The Chicago Tribune, speaking of the farm indebted- 

 ness, as shown by the above table, says: 



"According to this moderate, careful estimate, the 

 farm mortgages in the ten Western States mentioned 

 amount to the tremendous sum of i, 200 millions of dollars, 

 and the interest charged cannot be less than 90 millions 

 per annum. Is it any wonder that the farmers of the 

 West have no savings banks and no deposits worthy of 

 mention? Practically one-fifth of all that these mortgaged 

 farms produce is taken to pay the mortgage interest 

 charges, and before the farmers attempt to meet that they 

 must be mulcted for exorbitant transportation rates on their 

 produce. Western fanners are kept mortgaged up to their 

 eyes and their substance is devoured by the money 

 lenders." 



The farmers of the west can never get from under the 

 load that oppresses them without help. Under present 

 conditions it is preposterous to suppose that they can ever 

 meet these mortgages and free their lands. They are vir- 

 tually to-day only tenants on their own farms, and with the 

 prospect of becoming tenants in name as well as fact in the 

 near future. 



However, the above table represents but a small part 

 of the indebtedness of the people of the United States. 

 The statistics show the following interest bearing debts: 



County $ 123,887,696 



State 234,436,261 



National 1,041,761,742 



Municipal . 698,270,192 



Railroad 3>7 6 5>727,o66 



Total $5,864,082,957 



