The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-12-28
CORRESPONDENCE.
Edlt,r PIONEER ExrnEss :

erous offer Of the use of Your paper to
make few remarks ON the subject.
Not having any connection with either
Of the two interruptions monopolies
mentioned, namely: the st. P, NJ. & NJ.
X. II. Co. and Minneapolis Mliiers' .Asso-
citation. 1 do not feel it my duty to
defend them, but rather to TO just to nv
enemies. I say my enemies, because
too am u farmer and was obliged To sell
my wheat for Us cents u Luslel, because,
as I tilought, it was slightly frosted; hut
since rendlng your article would feel
inclined to attribute it to tho Min
neapolis miillers. although I sold
it in Duluth.
Regarding the r. Il. company would
ask you Of what value were the Red
River lands before they built their lines
through the valley, furnishing settlers
with the mems of getting in and Of slip.
ping grain out; and where would farmers
find IL market for their wheat If all
grades for 3B5 days in the year ii it were
nut for the manufacturing markets of
Minneapolis. They would he just in
the same position us the Manitoba far
me.s are to lay-obligel to hold their
wheat until the o!~ning Ut lake nnyi-
cation next May or pay uil rail rates
through to the East. The largest putt Of
this years crop it is impossible to l,o:tl in
an elevator until next summer, as no
person would iun the risk of its Keeping
and ITO money would be advanced on it
by any bank or commission man. You
state that tire farmers were entitled to
ct least Is cents per husllel more than
they were obliged to accept, leaving an
abundant margin to buyers, for hauling,
and the K. Il. company. should like
to know TO what use wheat could lie put
r,-certainly not for making four-,o
make it worth 30 much. You certainly
ai-play IL marvellous ignorance Of the
condition Of the grain and -four markets
Of the world when you make such u
statement. The st. Vincent elevator Ia
to-day paying for No. hard wheat rs
cents and other grades proportionately.
The elevator charges for hauling, storage
10 days, insurance and shipping is 3
cents per bushnell; freight to st. Paul,
Minneapolis or Dulutl, l6s cents; total
VT cents per LusIiel. To-day NJ. l hard
wheat ut my Of these cities is worth 81.
per busl,el. or not quite 8 cents above
what wheat costs u. in ST. Vincent,
which is surely small margin Tor ill.,
terest OH capital, exchange on money,
and running chances Of loss Of grades.
l may add that the elevator charges Of
3 cents just about cover labor, insurance,
fuel and rent Of elevator. The rate Of
freight charged on the Manitoba road is
q cents per 100 pounds for 39l miles,
while from 81. Paul TO Chicago, 400 miles,
where You have the choice vi : roads is
90 cents. ! dor't see that We are very
badly imposed on taking into considera-
ton the relative expenses Of operating
the different roads.
Regarding the value of frozen whcat
for grinding. can only say that have
shipped O,ir purchases 10 Duluth, Mime
apolis or Chicago aud sold it upon the
open market and feel Satisfied that we
got all it WIS worth, because when any
commodity is being bought for less THAI,
its value, there arc always plenty Of
people to compete for it. would also
state that the frozen wheat shipped to
Duluth, had Il, I've re-sllippeL to Minn..
apolis in order to sell it, to cover cost.
This slnlc convinced me that Mime.
apolis il the only sure market we have
for oti.grade wheat. / have frequently
heard it stated that the Minneapolis
Ini'ieH have exaggerated the damage
done to wheat in order ~ friEhtcn out
side mil!ers and dealers from,
competing for it and thereby getting it
for less than it is worth. Grain dealers
and millers are no. generally men that
are frightened so easily and il they could
buy frozen wheat that was equally rs
good to make -four out of, at less than it's
value, they would be apt to step in AM,
take it or a,ate the Minneapolis millen
bid up OH it.
For my own part do not intend to
grind II. knowing That We capnot make
trt Glars -four OUT u it, but ii any farmer
wthes to bring . sufficient quantity. SEQ
bushels. % The mil " make q dayis grind.
los he can hays itsround anisatiyfy l,ir.
scllf as @ its v'a.re so7 p.r.,osea q