The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1884-08-29
the difference between the price of hard and
soft wheat from 10 to cents per bushel:

soft wheat from 10 to cents per bushel:
ut is generally conceded that the Millers as
ssciation made a mistake in revising its prices
and reducing the difference between hard and
soft wheat to cents. The association has
been urging farmers to SOW hard wheat, and
as an inducement to do SO announced that the
difference in price would be 10 cents per bush
el. Farmers now find themselves deceived,
and it is certainly in order for the association
to explain how it justifies its action now with
its promises last spring. With difference of
only s cents per bushel between hard and soft
wheat, it is more profitable to raise the latter,
as the difference in yield more than makes up
this small difference in price. Unless the Mil
lers' association keeps its pledges with the
farmers better in the future than it has done
this year, the farmers will turn their attention
to soft wheat, and 60 in for big yields instead
of raising hard wheat. Should the farmers of
the Northwest follow this course for two or
three years the millers would doubtless dis
cover their mistake, as the scarcity of this
variety would compel them to pay round
price for it-more than enough to offset the
price at which they are trying to force the
famers to sell it for this year. It's poor rule
that won't work both ways, and the hard
wheat raiser may yet find himself on top aud
in position to dictate prices.''
----A -SN +---~-
Can it be DoneY
The harvest is here. Soon the market for
the wheat crop will open. Now, as we under
stand it, there is no Territorial system Of grad
ing wheat, though we have sort of inconse-
quential law requiring three men called ''Grain
Inspectors to fix standard. The elevators
are said to be governed by the rules established
by the Minneapolis Board of Trade That is
in effect saying that Dakota cannot fix mode
OF ascertaining the quality and grade of her
own product, which seems incredible. Let us
see. Minneapolis must have this wheat With
out she would become bankrupt in six months
Not only must she have it, but she wants a
monopoly Of it-she wants it all and is taking
steps to get it. Shall it be said that where
there is such a strong demand for wheat we
alone supply we are simply at the mercy of
those who demand it, not only as to price per
bushel, bnt also as to every quality that makes
up that bushel? 1t would seem harsh propo-
sition. Yet that is what must be maintained
by those who argue that the Minneapolis, Du-
lutl, Or Chicago markets control ours While
it is true in general way that the wheat mar
ket is controlled by the general demand of the
world and the relative supply, it is not true
that the market for our hard wheat shall be
regulated by the general price for all sorts of
stuff called wheat. As demonstrated by ex-
perienced milers, our No. hard is of such a
high quality that it stands great deal of mix
ing with softer varieties without deprecating
the flour. Hence its special value as to kind,
regardless Of grade. Now, in this matter Of
grading it may be strongly argued that as to
real hard wheat the buyers shall not fix an ar
bitrary measure Of grading which may be and
Is made the engine Of oppression and larceny
by incompetent or dishonest elevator agents.
Far better would it be il all wheat were sold
by sample. This would be the rule if there
were al open market. But as there is a prac-
tical monopoly, the law must step in at some
point to prevent injustice. Where shall it beG
The railroad company will say you cannot af-
feet its chartered rights and by a Territorial
law destroy the privity of contract between
IIlo COlpOIAlOu dllu Luo eleFdJOr6. InOulf
this is, in our opinion, dangerous fallacy, vel
able men maintain this view and it will be ex.
tremely difficult to get Legislature sufficient
ly courageous to take such an advanced posi-
ton in proper legal form with sufficient pen.
alties. 1t may be done and perhaps ought tc
be done. But not without a great contest. The
Territory can at least abolish the abortion Of
grain inspection law which, like other inef
fectual legislation by the roosters and traderl
Of the last Legislature instead of fixing grades
weights, measures ETC., which the Legislature
alone has power to do, attempted to shift the
duty upon three citizens, who have simply ac
complished nothing for the farmers. This is
subject which demands the earnest attention
of our grain producers. Let them see to i
that only men are nominated and elected t.
the Legislature this fall who will be disposed
to consider the best way out of the difficulty il
: which we find ourselves, and enact such law
as will tend to disenthrall us from an alie1
monopoly which must and will have what w
alone produce. Forks Herald.