New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-29
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
WHEAT STATISTICS.
WHEAT SIAIlollCc'
A SAMPLE OF THE FALSE STATEMENTS CURRENT
ppOcprrTs oY FAMINE

A SAMPLE OF THE FALSE STATEMENTS CURRENT
PROSPECTS OF FAMINE.
To the Editor of The Trtbnne.
SIR A letter by Mr. st. r." has been sent
me- which to be worth notice as line llusratoh
Of the spirit and method adopted many in attempting
discuss the grain question. 1T Is not the first nave
from the person, and his other productons
have manifested the same disposition He belongs 10
large class persons who know too little themselves 10
abrcate ingenious slsehood but are so desperately
deceive others that they try to make ranlhg
reckless assertions take the place OF cunning Tha
this Is not mistaken estimate of Ct r. Will Dc obvious
to those who know anything of grain statistics when
cite the following assertions quoted from his sAort etef
Of only two pages.
j. He asserts that there only 2l2OOOOOO
of wheat in the country March l. because that Is the
amount the wheat then reported remaining unsod
in farmers hands, and being in the visible sup
ply" But tho Knows and he must know that
everybody else knows, that IN March there Is very
large quantity OF wheat In railroad and other small ee-
vators at the minor towns and Eastern cities not In
cuded In the Of visible supply" In thehands
of dealers all the country In tho form Of -four
consumed
g. He asserts that my figures allow JOG 900 900 BUSH
els for five months consumption during the rest Of the
crop year But he well knew from the letter which he
noticed and from others to which he has previously
made objections that all my computations from July
to July l. In point Of fact other date properly
be taken the beginning of the crop year. because
wheat does into market largely In July, and be-
cause Is the most arrant to reckon from
August to August where you have to guess at things,
while you know things about the changes from July
to July
g. He asserts that my figures allow at the rate OF
100000 bushels for five months consumption In
ufacturing. The is merely trying to deceive by
duplicating part Of tho consumption already allowed.
IN all my reckoning the insignicant allowance for
wheat used In manufacture Is included In the computa-
ton OF consumption for all purposes other than for seed
IL possible know quite closely what quantity has been
consumed during the past twenty years In all ways
But K possible exactly what small guam
tty II used In other manufactures than that OF Hour In
particular years.
4. lie asserts that "wster wheat is daily growing
worse This fair sample OF the oOseness or the state
meat with which men who arc passlonately anxious 70
dee Give people about the markets often try to impress
the minds OF Others IL has not the merit OF cum
Mug TO relieve it obvious fasity. 10000 oo
8. crop viii he 300 000o 900
than 800 900 900 bushels" The man who has not
enough To the known facts OF the present ana tL
past may wisely refrain from setting himself up
prophet about the future Just there In the
official report OF the Bureau at Washington. the deiD
crate statement future conditions, misconceptions
OF present appearances both together not likely
change the total wheat crop or the country more
Than 10000 900 bushels above or below the estimate
given OF 800 900 900 bushels" Most people Will
slider the Information OF tho Bureau 1T least as reliable
the random assertion OF any obviously interested
g. lilo asserts that there is groat danger OF famine.
Not half much as there is that Mr.. 1T r. may iali
to dcude people into buying wheat from him at high
figures advance In pucs account Of the short
the crop has been Justified But the elaborate
to circulate wildly exaggerated statements Of injury 70
the crops have been evidently intended to cover the al
IRE the enormous speculation which was based upon
the mistaken expectation Of war In Europe do not
knew how II Will succeed and respects Individual
interests But do know that II would not
well for the country haveits foreign trade seriously
interrupted il boen In several past years by me
persistent falsehoods OF reckless spectators IN grain
Truly W. NJ O.
Nep York, June 10. 1885.