Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1882-03-09
CROP OF 1e8l.2.

The counties of Garfield and Whit
man. in Washington, and counties of
Mes Psrce and Idaho, of Idaho, did
take much courage in the early part of
1881 from the repeated announcements
made by the o. r. Il N. Co. that they
were to have ample transportation f1-
cilities for their surplus grain SO soon
~ it was harvested. This induced
large amount Of seeding and efforts to
have good large crop at the harvest
Of that year. But only a small part
Of the surplus of that harvest has yet
found its way to market, although
March of 1882 has been ushered in
upon US. Thousands of tons of this
surplus still lies on the bank of Snake
river, and thousands more are still 10
The granaries of the farmers, because
the farmers could see no immediate
prospect Of shipment if they did haul
TO the river. Of course these farmers
have been seriously injured by this
failure to provide the transportation
promised and to an extent that is al
most undesirable. Had they been
all old and we'll to do farmers who had
in former years accumulated sufficient
means to hold their surplus without
immediate sale, the situation would not
have been half a. bad. But such was
not the case, and they feel the pinching
need Of the proceeds of their wheat and
FAX sales to meet their liabilities con-
tracted. As matters are, hundreds of
the farmers bsve been forced to sell at
> low figure to spectators who have
thu means to buy and hold till the op-
portsnity for shipment arrives. Colum-
bia and Walla Walla counties in Wash.
ington and Umatil;a and Wasco coun.
ties, Oregon, east of the mountains and
oil OF Oregon, west of the mountains,
have Jared much better, and yet they
have complained seriously Of want Of
transportation to meet what had been
promised them for 1881. Now the
question arises, what improved advan.
tages will reach the first counties man,
Cd in this article for the crop of 1882.
We have similar confident promises to
those given for 1881. But what are
assurances that any Of them will be
fulfilled This seems to be the burden
OF enquiry among our farmers at pres
emit. In fact We hear Of several who
say they have NO hope Of getting grain
transportation from this section in
large quantities during the ensuing
two year., and therefore they will not
put in seed for more than homo con-
sumption. Some have gone 10 far a.
TO resolve that they will abandon their
farus and 80 to the line Of railroads
already in operation and operate thsre
Such i the perceptible and practical
sdect which these unfulfilled promises
have had upon the minds Of many.
What they will do. remains to be seen
when the spring is fairly open, and the
ploaghing and seeding season has ar.
rived. We hope. however, that their
patience will overcome their haste and
that they will, to tho extent of their
means, continue to plough and SOW,
and. II necessary, trust to blind fate for
the means Of getting their surplus to
market. They will be sure of q good
living At any rate, and every bushel
OF grain surplus that is added to what
Ne have heretofore raised, will do that
much to increase the inducements "a
railroad and steamboat companies 10
not only furnish the facilities for car.
rying to . market, but will tend "a
lessen the freight charges The editor
Of the Walla Walla Union in writing
to his!papsr from Portland, says:. II
understand from high authority that
freight on grain win b reduced a. rap.
idly ~ the amount to be carried in.
ersases, and in about the same ratio.
Thu, 10 ~, seems strange, a. At no
time since the last harvest have the
.. r 4 N. Co. been able to remove all
the grain stored along their lines Of
railroad or steamboats,. But should
the increased product be such - TO in
dace the putting in operation Of COM
peting line. then . reduction would be
likely to follow. We do not look for
reduction in price 20 long az they
have the monopoly of the business and
Al