St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-25
The WHEAT COMBINE.
An Alliance Manager Who
Discredits the Proposed
Scheme.
He Has Peculiar Views on
This Question and as to
Donnelly.
luxurious Contracts Given a
Knockout Blow in the
South.
General Roundup Of News
Having a Political
Tinge.

New YORK, July 24.-To-day re-
porter interviewed w. c. Crum, the
general manager of the New York bu-
reau of the National Farmers Alliance
and Reform Press Association, touching
the so-called "Wheat trust combine"
among farmers. He denied that any
such combination has been formed. The
suggestion was made, he said, some
time ago that farmers would do well to
hold their wheat for Sremunerative
prices, in preference to allowing it to
fall into the hands of unscrupu-
lous Spectators. Upon this advice
word was sent out through the bureau OF
the Reform Press two weeks ago, advis-
ing farmers to hold their wheat. Sew
eral sub-allianceS in Illinois met and
passed resolutions to this effect, which
were published in the Alliance papers,
their being no effort to conceal the fact
whatever. The attempt to make it ap-
pear now as if some TRAITOR in the
camp" had revealed the matter before
the Farmers Alliance was ready to let
the secret out, is i'll keeping with many
similar attempts 10 invest certain am
bilious leaders with an air of Importance
far beyond their ability or worth, Mr..
Crum said. He said further the idea
of issuing simultaneously, at Washing
ton and st. Paul, a million circulars to
send to 10000 secretaries, is part of Il
well concerted plan among certain Al
lance officials to enhance their lmpor-
lance in the estimation of farmers, and
create at the same time CONSERVATION
among wheat spectators
For Political Effect.
farmer himself, and thoroughly posted
in the scheme as narrated, says he does
not believe intelligent farmers will
be caught with such chat. He is
convinced that certain schemerS are
trying to "wOrk" the Farmers Alliance
for all it is worth for selfish and politi-
cal purposes. AS to combination among
farmers, Mr.. Crum said: 81 would be
very glad if the farmers could. by COM
binatiOns. secure good prices, especially
for wheat. Depreciation of values. re-
peated crop failures, high rates of inter-
est, ETC., have discouraged farmers for
several years; they deserve well of their
compatrlots, and no one familiar with
their deprivati0nS will begrudge them
all they ask. The report coming from
st. Paul stating that Ignatius Don
nelly was opposed to the wheat trust
among farmers. betrays the dem
agOgy of the whole plot, for
while championing the cause of the
farmers, he is well known as Knight
of Labor leader IN the West. He is
looking for presidential nomination in
1892. He hesitates to urge a wheat com
bine which would affect the price of the
bread of those whose SutfrageS he must
have. While l favor any plan which
will contribute honestly to the farmers
welfare. have doubts of the efficiency
of the policy of farmers holding too
long to their wheat. 1t taxes money to
move as well as to buy wheat. and. if
held too long, and the worlds crop
turns out larger than was anticipated. a
crash is imminent, more disastrous in
its consequences than dreamed of in the
philosophy OF the most pronounced AL
lance doctrine"