The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-07-17

To show how complete is the subiuRation
OF one half the State to day, We have only to
note as an index fact, that not bushel of
wheat is allowed to be carried from Farming
ton to st. Paul, twenty-six miles, except at as
high freight az is charged 10 carry it 500
miles to Chicago. If the wheat was allowed
to go northward the farmer might chose his
route to market, and avsil himself of COM
peting lines and competing purchasers.
What do all these facts point to? Will the
gigantic monopoly stop short with only half
its victims swallowed. Is there anything to
prevent the consolidation of the Northern
Pacific, the st. Paul & Pacific, the St. Paul
q Sioux City and thus complete the work in
hand, unless We resist. And when this is
done, We are MO longer ablo to resist. We
must take the prices for our products they
dictate. and We must pay the prices
for all we buy which they dictate.
The remedy for all these threatened calam-
tiles is for us to devise and apply. The rem
edy is to pool all the resources of the North
west to meet the railroad pool, to oppose
combination to combination, and consolida-
ton to consolidation; to bring together all
the intelligence and sagacity of our leading
men, our railroad men, and their friends and
allies outside of the State; to raise the ban
ner of an Independent system of transporta-
ton and invite all the outside interests which,
ike our Own, are based upon the northern
water route to the Atlantic and the Missis-
sippi river outlet to the gulf, to stretch their
hands across the chasm which has heretofore
separated those whom God had joined to-
gether, and join in new
commercial league which will give
tn H~S-
and to them the carrying trade and the
commerce of an empire. The improvement
of the Mississippi river soon to bring to our
doors vessels drawing five feet of water, and
barges of capacity to carry our grain in
bulk at lower rates than ever yet obtained, a
system which has saved millions of dollars
to Missouri, and revolutionized the freight
tariffs of the east bound railroads, and the
recent movement of our government to
open the markets of South America and
adjacent countries to our breadstuffs, are
facts big with promise of relief, if we are
wise enough to step to the front, and avail
ourselves of the help which only needs to be
invited to be secured.
The works now being constructed and the
improvements made on Lake Superior will,
with the Welland canal, be completed within
few years. This will let the largest class
of lake vessels to the head of Lake Superior,
reaching four hundred miles further
into the interior of the cereal
producing, stock and mineral region
than does lake Michigan, and guarantees to
these products a rate go much lower
than is possible to be given from Chicago or
Milwaukee. Wheat can then be shipped
to Liverpool from Duluth, the head of Lake
Superior, at eighteen cents per bushel, flour
at ISL per barrel, and other exports and i'm
ports can be carried at like low rates.
The policy of Chicago and Milwaukee is to
bny up, lease or control all the roads now
constructed leading to this northern route,
put up rates which shall be an embargo to
shipments in that direction, and subiugate
the region of country belonging to these
routes and shorter railway lines, necessarily
changing rate fatal to the settlement, prog
ress and prosperity of the millions of people
that are now and are contemplating making
their homes in the section north and north
west of Lake Superior aud the Mississippi
river. And thus, with allies from Now Or
leans to Minnesota and from Montreal to
Minnesota, as wealthy; as able and as anx-
lous as Chicago to grasp the prizes of
our growing commerce.; with the
mississippi river as one column
oAu LILO SIont 4aAoS do tuo OtuoF COtUm0, the
will of united Northwest is above wanting
to mould these grand resources into shape
and to lnauGu:ate an independent system of
transportation by which our commerce will
be emancipated, and we shall hold the reins
of our own destiny and be able to save to a
million people the fruits of their industries.
The issues to be met are narrowed down
and simplited SO that they are easily urder-
stood. This is purely matter of business,
and must be settlel by business men and
business principles.
The first step is to meet in consultation,
consider thoroughly the questions involved,
and provide proper remedies for the admit
ted danger. You are respectfully invited to
attend the conference at the time and place
designated in the above resolutions, viz:
July 22d at the chamber of commerce in St.
Paul. By order of the
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE