Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1874-09-02
AG GENTS.
sole Agent In san Francisco.
THE WHEAT MONOPOLY IN CA..-
NORMA.


nopolv in California, (which grasps
from the farmer all but Il bare living"
Is again revived. so incredible are the
details given Of the secret workings"
'cruel exac,iou>." remarkable hardi-
hood and finished arrangements by
which this wheat ring has been II
abled TO hold its sway of oppression.
that, had it been promulgated from
any less responsible soUrce than that
of -. q. Gardner, General Agen;
California safe Grange" the whole
narrative would be regarded as the Off
spring of Al oye~r-wrought imaefna-
ton. The alleged facts in brief are
these: The head and front of this al
legged wheat monopoly is Isaac Fried.
lander. Backed up with large cari.al,
this cn.erprising gentlemen has been
able to prevent any interference with
his plans until he gradually gained
control of the milling interest. freight
interest, sack interest and transporia-
ton interest, bo.h by river and raj.
Through his operations-sO goes the
story-the safe Vas divided II = SEE
tons, in each Of which a buyer was
placed, whose duties consist i'll en-
tangling the farmer. by charging him
excessive interest Oh money loaned.
furnishing sacks a enormous price,,
and making him pay double cost for
storage. Il foreign markets advance.
or seem likely 10 advance. Friod.anler
instructs his agents all over the Siatc
temporarily to sop buying, While
everything is done 10 oLtu>caee the
farmer as to the value of his produce.
Notes held by agents, due one day
after date. and store bills, are then pre-
sentcd, SO that by the time the enter
prising Friedlander is ready to buy
the farmers are compelled to
sell. When the country i, cleaned,
up goes wheat. AMI this mighty mo
nopoliSt laughs al the mischief he has
wrought. Another method of carry
ing out his alleged plans j.. in mang
cases. to have his buyers in their re-
spective districts secure the shipping
privileges OF their sections by ptfeHas-
ing or renting grants commanding a
large extent OF river frontage where
wheat is raised. Wheat. in thee sec
tons. unless sold when wanted, Is al
lowed to accumulate in vast quantities
until fear OF rains or of eve getting
transportation has induced the farmer
10 yield to the market got up for him.
If the farmer goes TO the ely TO sell his
grain, the commission men, ascertain
ing on whose landing it lies. refuse 20
buy, knowing that all imredinen,>
possible will be placed in tie way Of
shipping.
These things. Incredible as they may
seem, are stated as facts. by the author
itty we have quoted; and the system
of business, as described, is reported
az having been carried on tor a long
while. The main difficulty the farm
ers have had to contend with. has been
to secure freightage. This, Mr.. card
ner says, has been overcome hy the Ell
forts OF the State Grange. and this
year a sufficient quantity having a.
ready been secured, they will he ana
blcd to break the chains which lave
heretofore bound them. Perhaps Mr..
Gardner has allowed his sympathy for
the producer, and his consequent i'll
will towards the capitalist. To influence
him to too highly color the picture he
has drawn. We are d~isinclined to ac-
cept 1t, therefore. without abatement,
al least until Mr.. Friedlanler or hi,
friends AN be heard from.