Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-03
Cheap transportation.

The Subject of cheap freights is one
which will always be Of great interest TO
this section of the country This is pre-
emiuently an agricultural district and
wheat growing is the prime business OF
the farmer. No other staple product Is
exported 10 such an extent rs this one
article. Other kinds Of produce are re
ceiving attention, it is true, and the
amount shipped is increasing every year.
But wheat is, and wheat viii be for some
time to come, the great staple Of the ST.
Croix Valley. The low price at which
that product has ruled in the market has
turned the attention of wheat growers 10
the question of cheap transportation
When wheat was two dollars bushel
the farmer did not examine so closely the
price be paid, indirectly. for the carriage
of his produce TO The great central mar
kets of the world. The price paid for
freight then looked comparatively small.
But with wheat at one dollar or less per
bushei, the rates Of interpretation
though perhaps uncbsDged-appsHr TO
be enormously high. They naturally at
tract attention and provoke criticism
aud comment. And further. when the
only hope there is left Of Rn increase in
price is by decrease in carrying rates,
1t is no wonder our wheat growers anx
iously look for relief in that direction.
We have always contended that this
section of the Northwest was one of the
most favored localities, naturally, for Sc
curing safe and cheap transit, and hence
ready market. for alIsurpI us produce;
and that as the country developed and
competing lines were organized. our farm
ers would receive higher prices for their
wheat then others can realize who live
hundreds OF miles nearer the great wheat
centers, but who have not the advantages
resulting from fair and healthy compe
tilion.
The opening Of a new outlet, by way
Of Duluth, for the grain of Minnesota
and northwestern Wisconsin is already
affecting the rates of transportation. =
Considerable reduction has been made
from rates of last year, and. it is said,
they will go still lower by the time fall
shipments begin.
A new line Of tow.boais and barges
has been organized. 10 run between Wi
mons and ST. Paul, of which Mr. Henry
Eames is manager. 1t is said that the
establishment of this line, if properly
sustained by our producers, will inaugur
ate q system of low rates that will put
thousands of dollars into their pockets.
Persons " ho are posted in these matters
assert that from any point above Winona
wheat can be carried by this barge line
10 o.. duts tbSuCo 10 Ne" IOfh ul WY
of Duluth and the Lakes, at eleven cents
per 6ushel less than theaverGge rate of
last year.
If this can be relied on, correspond
ing increase in the price of wheat may
be expected. Aud as fast as new lines
are opened and placed in competition the
tariffs will decrease, until the producer Sc.
cures the transportation of his grain at
the lowest living ignres. With our IN
equsllvd river communication, the com.
mon highway of many rival lines, with
the various railroads diverging st St.
Paul, owned aud controlled by different
companies, it does not seem possible that
the giant hand of Monopoly can ever
weigh heavily upon tie farmers of the
ST. Croix Valley.