The New York herald., 1869-02-13
THE FLOUR TRADE.

Operators in Flour nj the Corr Exchange-A
Ring hsniust Our Own Flour Mluufac-
turers-How the Ring is Formed and How
IL Works.
ihe nour market in this city is curiously managed
though not so very curious either, when one con-
sidegs the principle on which, IN great metro
poiIan mart, nearly every branch OF large business
is conducied-the principle OF the ring. Pursuing
the pattern OF our modern Congressional spoliation
schemers with their whiskey ring and internal reve-
nue. ring, and all the mammoth multifarious rings
known TO exist there looking TO plunderng the pub
iic treasury, and taking likewise for model our own
municipal rings and rings OF the coal dealers and Ice
companies and gas corporations, and other
rings al numerous as the leaves Of VAL
ambrose, operators In flour here have
only devised aud moulded and perfected
ring. 1t s unnecessary state that this last ring
like all other rings Of this sui gsneis class looks to
accomplishing private gains at the expense OF the
public. In fact the operations Of these modcrnly
constructed rings-we call them modern. though IL
Is not unlikely that any sufficiently curious in
the matter might trace them far back Of tile medis-
val ages-may be sententiousy stated Ia the follow
ing apothegm, which we coin, specially appica-
bic to them-Rings rule; the public the prey. 1t
is the Misfortune OF our people, however, that they
submit to these things They feel the pressure they
vince like tho CALLED jade and they squrm and
howl, but rhey give back 20 kick and quietly yield
OF the great staples-and OF all staples -four ia the
chef-are the curse Of trade and, when known
should be exposed and denounced.
Nothing IS simpler than explanation OF the ring
existing among certain classes OF our operators at
our Corn Exchange to unfold the parties to the ring
and to show the causes OF Its formation and the OBJ
jcct for which It works. The whole thing IL as plain
as the niatory letters OF the aphaoet. Brokers and
commission merchants are the parties to the ring.
The combination Is in iavor OF their own interests
and western manufacturers and against our own
working in this city ahd Brooklyn and Williams
burg. The cause OF this ring being formed is the ex
cellence OF our own flour, as good In fact as that
produced at any western mills. ana the facilities
for putting II In the market at . moments demand
and cheaper tnan the product OF other mills. The
object like that of all similarly formed rings, is TO
crowd out OF the market all dealers standing their
way, to get thereby the monopoly of the trade and
iirst place the commission mercnants or
flour Jobbers, as the case may be, who
make advances on the nour of Western producers
must manage to get their money back. Such Is the
anxiety TO receive assignments fiour that there ia
great rivalry IN the business. or course those making
manufacturers. Many liberal to the extent Of
advancing the ruling market price at the time and
some even make advances before the wheat Is pur-
chased from which the 1our Is 70 be made On the
Deels OF these advances Hour In immense quantities
- continually coming into market. a large portion
OF 1t Is intended for shipping, principally 10 the
West India islands, South America and the European
markets The brands are not at all uniform. In this
respect II Is IN TACT, not unfrequently sort OF
diamond cut diamond arrangement. The manufac-
turer has got mis- money In advance, and to make
snug sum sends poor hour. The commission
merchant seeks to save himself by selling
come the brokers' These men are afser
their percentage. They live on percentage.
without percentage this world were q chaos Some
OF the more unscrupulous-and II is not generally
given 10 thus class 10 be burdened with scrupuous
nesswant two percentages the first from The seller
ana the second from the bona .tds purchaser or
shipper. They are audaclously expert ct the busi-
ness They manipulate samples with the shrewdest
sagacity aud very easily take Ia those not posted.
In word they are the snarpest KIND OF sharpers
and work solely for their own interests. Between
them and the j0hber5 old flour is sold and sent TO
warm climates There 1t Is soon to spoil; but
this Is no matter to them. The fiour has been sold
ana shipped and the money received, ana While the
former IL not likely 10 come back the latter Is quite
TO enumerate all the lodges and trickery 1t would
be only making q very short story very long. The
great object Is 10 XIII or mi.lers. For this
purpose -four is often sold at less than the cost OF its
keep the prices up 10 as high point as possible for
the higher the prices the greater the profits our
millers directly In contact with the buyers.
They not troubled with any middle men ana
neither have to stand the burden OF their profits for
the very good reason liiat they VIII not do it.
Bravery the small handful OF mlilers we have about
us-but It is no handful OF work they are dong, Tor
they annually turn out over u million barrels OF
nCur-are fighting tile battle against the combina-
ton opposing them TO which we nave above referred.
They stand wholly on their own merits. They make
the best OF -four rom the best OF material, as clabo-
rately SHOWN In q recent article In the HERALD.
They can sell their iour cheaper than that OF West
ern manufacture They refuse to be killed on or to
switch OH, or to make any compromises. They are
public benelactors inasmuch as they are ceapening
-four for the people. The ring may rule now, but
by steadily pursuing their present line OF policy the
voice OF the people viii rule In the end.