Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-12-25

Switzerland and southern Germany
parohass yearly Of the United Ssatss .
large quantity of wheat. II credit may
b given 70 the statements Of Consul
General Cramsr, there In Imminent
danger that this portion Of Europe may
csAss 10 BE- ous customers and depend
apon Russia hereafter for its supply Of
breadstuffs. In q recent report made 10
the State Department, Mr.. Cramsr said
thaf ths rich harvssts Of the present sea-
son, f.e., 1884. In Russia, ~ cell ~ the
massss Of whsat stored in various parts
Of that country, especially as odesss,
together with the reduction Of freight
tariff, lsavs little doubt that Russian
wili supsrssde American wheat In those
countries. Russian wheat dealers are
strsininG every nerve 10 supply the mar
ksts Of Central and Southern Europe.
In this they are aided ~ log rates Of
transportation, both. BY railroad and
upon go and river steamers. The con-
sequences ID that Russian wheat Ia offer
ed u prices below that Of the American
produot. Italy, South Germany and
Hwitssriand are now almost entirely
supplisd with Russian wheat. Statissios
show Mat The export Of American wheat
has dsorsased whils production has In
szsassd. The result has been marked
fall in prioe. the injurious effects OF
which have fallen upon the producer
instead Of being shared by she great
transportation lines, which have not re-
ducsd, bat In some instances raised their
rates. An thsee rates were established
when wheat commanded gsod prices.
and are based upon The theory Of chAre-
ina ell that the traffic win bear. ID ought
10 follow that the rates should decrease
In proportion 10 The fall in price Of the
commodity transported. Such has not
been the poiie5 Of the railroad bArona
Thsy are wilhna 70 divide with the
farmer when prices are good. bot not 10
share In The buraea Of low prices and
drli times. The farmers Of Iowa. Ne
lraakA and DAKOTA are In dire trouble.
Il costs more 30 Ret their wheat 10
market than h paid them At the eleva
tors. Tbs railroad, elevator and com.
minsisn ssnes taxa the lion's share Of
the proceeds Of tbs wheat Greg. leaving
70 the producer iess than tie sxpesss Of
rAising H. Those Who hare been Tn.
duosd 10 settle upon the great wheat
nelds Of Dakota. purchasing their lands
ef the Northern Pacihc Railroad Com
pauy, have discovered too late fer rsu'
sdy The trap into which they have eeer
I'D. They have placed themselves u
the ABSOLUTE mercy Of eorporasior
which win exact 10 shs stternozs ever,
dollar Of their proAss. and II IL does no'
isavs them bankrups al the end Of every
season. will leave them inss enoaat
sarplrs 10 make payments upon shsiI
land purchases. They are united IN
osiline upon Congress for relief. Ia
Iowa there h load call fes an extra
session Of the legislature 10 regulass
and reduce prices Of frsiehts. % thai
The farmers may live.
Oonsul Cramef sneeests that In ories
70 furnish "a outlet for our surplus
wheat both the price and enst Of trAns'
poFtstion must be reduced. This h un.
ioabssdly srus. To rednce The prics d
wheat and compel the producer 70 boa,
The entire lon will bring distress and
ruin 20 thousands OF wheat raisers. We
rod that already In Dakota mans
farmers hare become discouraged and
win ncs stfsmps 10 eultivaie bali he
Acreage planted last year. whiis oshexs
A. ab4ndenine their farms aitoessher.
II may b that the railroad compAnis {
Win svsntnaiiy come 10 realize thai q
ksspinR up rsiss On staples upon tbs
rAisinR and trAxspoFtstion Of which
THAR business In . great measure d.
psads. thsy ars killing shs : gocse that
lays ths golden see.r