New-York tribune., 1870-08-27
CHICAGO AS A PRODUCE MARKET.


CHICAGO, July 2O.-Ten years ago the Board
Of Trade in this city into operation under an act Of
Incorporation This is part of their preamble: "De-
string advance the commercial character and promote
the manufacturing interests of the City OF Chicago ana
wishing TO ncucate just and equitable principles IN
trade, TO acquire preserve and disseminate valuable
business information, we, the members" &c About
800 merchants the flower OF Chicago business talent
compose this Board They pay, upon entering $780, and
the yearly dues sO These figures fence out transient
operators and men about whom nothing is known. A
stock company Of its members have erected spacious
hall in the heart Of the city Here are tables with
marble tops and massey frames of carved black walnut
The walls glow with cartoons-a farmer surveying his
wide estate cattle grazing savanna stretching far
TO golden sunset stout team turning prairie sod;
the casks bales the mills and ships that production
so vast must summon to its aid. This handsome and
ample room has leased to the Board of Trade for 100
years Resting thus on firm foundation this society
NAV have before 1t long and benefcent career The
men and the ideas that make Chicago the shining
metropolis 1t is, here find sympathy comparison and
support.
Mr. Charles Randolph is at present the Secretary OF the
Board and Justly regarded the best informed man
in the city all matters OF trade commerce, and de-
velOpment Judged that welldrected talk with him
would enable me to spread before TRIBUNE readers many
facts that they will be glad to know While the mercury
stood high among the ninees, thus the conversation
ran
Tribune Corespondent-As this sudden declaration Of
war has had marked effect on breadstuf it becomes
ofgreat interest to the farmer TO know what grain there
is in the country How much is there in the Chicago
eevators3
Mr. Randolph-About 55OO,0O0 bushels; Of wheat, we
have 175OOO; OF corD 2OOOOOO and OF oats, less than
million, and some barley. But our wheat is, much OF
H. in danger from this excessively and moist wea
ther; in fact have a number OF bins of hot grain
Tribune-what is your opinion of the incoming crop2
fno4l In hea Tfl he
more No than last year. and nearly much OF No @
Three weeks ago there much complaint OF drouth,
but have noticed that in dry year the crop always
urns out better than the farmer feared the straw is
scant but the grain is plump and Clean My estimate Is
that we shall handle, here and in Milwaukee, within 10
per cent much grain as we did last year. Minnesota
talks of a two-third CROP but she sowed great deal
more than in 49,
Tr-what can you say OF the corn cropi
R-It will be heavy-the largest probably ever handled
I'm the West. This hot weather is weather. Some
fields have been set back by drouth but since July many
OF the great districts have had rain enough II Is
impossible to say whether the will do much for
the price OF corn Oats will probably advance some
especially If the European crop is moderate They Will
be needed by the horses OF both armies.
TrTaking the Chicago price OF wheat at u 25, how
much does that mean In New-York and what does the
farmer receivel
R-When bushe Of wheat leaves Chicago it has paid
about ha It's transportation tax u 70 mere means VI 10
the farmer and 81 so to the Eastern consumer The late
rise grain has induced the railroads TO add TO their
tariff and this holds grain here that ought to be moving
Sometimes have freghts TO New York low enough
For instance, the rate by hence to Buffalo and
thence by railroad to New York, at time touched 80
cents per 100 pounds for grain and 90 cents barrel for
-four and ruled under 40 the hundred grain for
several weeks by the propeller line running connection
with the Erie Railway Lake reights by sail have been
very low.
Tr-whch railroads bring the most wheat to Chicagoi
R-The Chicago and Northwestern, and the Illinois
Central Last year. the Northwestern brought million
and half bushels than the Central and together
they brought nearly 100000; the whole amount brought
by all the roads was 100000.
Tr.-How is IL in cOrni
R-The Illinois and Michigan Canal brings more corn
than any road. In go it landed over 100000 bushels;
Illinois Central brings 100000 the road to Burling
ton and Quincy gives us the rise OF 100000; Rock
Island little less and the Alton Road not quite 100000
In ALL receive 100000 bushels of corn and ship
over n, 10000.
Tr-What can you say OF the Oat receptsi
R-Illinois Central leads of this crop. 1t brought
Ills IN 90 almost 100000 bushels; the Northwestern
roads not quite 100000; Burlington and Quincy l,5OO
900; in all l0,5O0OO0.
T.-Chicago has great for its cattle trade from
which direction do most of them comet
Rim 1869 the Burlington and Quincy Road led off
giving us nearly 10000; the Alton Road shpped 75O
ILLINOIS central 1900 the North Western Road $1,000;
the Rock Island 5000. In ALL Chicago received .oa loo
and shipped East about 100000 showing that we slaueh
for the barrel and for city eating one fourth O, the
beeves that come here, and send East three ourths
Tr-whieh roads take them Eastwardi
R-More 60 via Fort Wayne and Chicago In 90 tbIs
road took nearly I25OO; Michigan Central ooO Miebi
gan Southern and Lake Shore, 67,OOo
Tr-Has Chicago large trade in pork
R-Yes and IL Is increasing fast Last year the Bur
lngton and Quincy Road brought W. over half million