The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-07-30
TX CENTRE HERAL
rHuRsDAy, JuLY 80. 1891.
THE WHEAT COMBINE.


is not indicated, &. Charles A. Pillsbury
prominent miller says that two dollars
per bushel will be paid for wheat before
the season closes. He does not profess
to give in specific terms the basis OF his
estimate, fun thcr than that the foreign
production is very short, stocks are low
and the result will be a sharp rise in
American products But Mr.. Pillsbury
is bull upon the market-always pre-
dictin:, higher prices. His object may
be thereby speculative; it may be disin-
terested. 1t is for the wheat grower of
the northwest to look the situation fair
ly in the face and draw his own conclu-
sions. Adyices from Russia and India
indicate that the yield is far below a fair
average, and that those countries. the
chief supply of Europe-wili have less for
export than for many years. 1t is
claimed upon the statistics that Russia
will have no wheat to spare at all-that
importation will be necessary to pre-
serve the balance reproduction and con-
sumption. Be that asis may, the indi-
cations are favorable for the American
grower. But whether he hold his wheat
until Spring, or put it upon the market
when it is ready for market is another
question. 1t is urged that general
withholding will increase the price very
materially. That is true, but IS there
any assurance there will be any such
withholding If ninety per cent OF the
crop be held back prices will be high,
and the ten per cent will sell at high
price; but when the ninety per cent re-
serve is offered, what them Will not
prices be depressed and the one practical
result will be handsome profit to the
men not in the movement.
There is no doubt that the true theory
of marketing any commodity is to place
it on sale as it is demanded, not to push
or rush it to the front. II this could be
done with the wheat crop steady and
uniform market would be maintained all
through the year. Is it not practicable!
That is the question No doubt the mil
lers, grain buyers and shippers. would be
pleased to see that kind OF a market. for
they would be prepared to handleit-
But there is another side to it. There
is no assurance that the greedy ones will
await the opportunity, bat force their
grain upon the market when it IS high by
reason of Others withholding grain.
Then, when the other farmers, those
who conscientiouslysh old their grain will
come into market just as the price drops
by reason of the increased offerings.
Mr.. Donuelly seems to have graspel the
situation He urges the farmers -
watch the markets ana sell upon their
own Judgment, rather than follow the
alliance circular. His letter is very SIN
sible and the HERALD gives it in full:
To THE Members of the Farmers Ali
ident of your state Alliance it is my duty
to see that no injury be inflicted upon
the organization which l can prevent; |
therefore take the liberty of issuing this
circular letter:
The editor of the State. OF St. Paul has
issued an Interesting and valuable COM
pendulum of information tending to show
that the price of wheat is far below lis
real value dtmust rise III the nsar iu-
ture, and thatitile farmers OF the whole
country should hold tlirir wheat out of
the market until the demand brings 1t 70
aproper level. Now while agree with
much of this reasoning, and do not i'm
puon any mans motives. | never the-!ess
feel that it IS my duty to say that the
State AihSnce of Minnesota has nothing
to do vithlsiiis mo veiHeIIt, the executive
committee has meyer, been consulted
about it; neither. so faras l am aware,
has the National Alliance officially en-
dorsed the scheme. 1t is purely an ex-
preston of individual opinion. That
opinion may be just and right. | think
it is: hope it is; for / believe that the
faruers' products have been systemat-
icalIv depressed for many years past by
rings of specuiatiouiuC Chicago and other
great trade centers. But | realize that
when a few men undertake. without
proper pre-concert and consultation, to
effect the price of 4 great staple like
wheat, and do it, either directly or indi-
recely,, in the Farmers Alliance, they are
entering upon tremendous and danger
ous.experiment which may not only on
its recoif crush them, but inj lr;ousiy af-
feet the Alliance itself. ! desire therefore
to have it distinctly understood that the
State Farmers Alliance of minnesota is
in no wise responsible Tor this move
ment, or from any consequence that may
flow from il. hope the time is not far
distant when the whole farming popula-
ton of the United States shall be banded
together for seifprotection, and to re-
: sist the 'effarts OF spectators to break
down the real-value of their products;
but TO do this thorough consultation
and.&iseaactiou are necessary, together
with the establishment of some bureau
that will direct the sales. other wise some
farmers would get out at extravagant
orices and others be caught I'm the col
lapse of the boom. / see MIR. Pillsbury,
the great rsiIleE of Minneapolis, declares
fiat wheat will touch So bushel with
in the next twelve months. l under
stand that the English syndicate own
ing the Minneapolis .uills now hold 49,
OOO, 900 bushels of wheat. If the price
of wheat goes up 20 cents under the
holding back1of the new crop, those gen.
tlenleh would realize. three million dol
lars and get out.
In the meantime the farmers, who are
hoping for So hushei, would be caught
in the slump and might have to sell in
the spring at Iunious rates. And then
every farmer in the state would turn up
On, and denounce the Farmers Alliance,
end our great organization would re de
strAyed.- And then the cry would 90
forth, why did not our president warn
us of these dangers? He must have sold
out to the syndieates!'
therefore, say TO you: Use your own
Judgment when you will sell. Study all
The facts submitted to you from every
quarter. My own Judgment is that
wheat must rise. But know too much
IF the history of the wheat market in
the past to prophesy as to the future. or
advise any man regarding so grave and
complicated problem, into which enter
influences which no one can forsee.