The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-03-29
THE Low PRICE FOR RICE.
Several Evils Called Attention To
by Mr.. Ward,
UNDERSELLlNG THE MARKET COMMON
And Most PernioIous of ALA Mile of
Track on the TexarIsana aud Fort
Scott Laid.

Beaumont Texas March 2S-As to the
causes of the low price for rice comment
ed on by The Post Beaumont correspondent
in last Sundays paper. allow me to say
that while there are doubtless several
causes of the depressed market I believe
the principal one has been overlooked. 1t
is in my judgment the milling of rice by
the mills for account of customers-the
farmer milling and selling his own crop.
This is a delusion and a snare. The indl-
Vidual producer seldom realizes more than
If his rice was sold In the rough IN ar open
market, while the effect on the genera!
market Is most pernlcloUs. 1t places IN the
hands of the broker d great many samples
OF rice of virtually the same grade and
causes haggling of pr ces between the
buyer and broker and often between the
INSCRIPTIONS broker and the miller who
sells for account Of the producer. The
producer becomes impatient and must
have his money to meet obligations. in
Guiding advances by the miller, and says.
Put my rice down to a price at which II
viii SELL must have the money--undersell
the market" This has occurred in Jeffer-
son county and rs occurring all along the
line. Its demoralzng effect upon prices
is apparent. every man to his trade" is
a good business axiom. This DONE compe-
ution in each trade or business will az a
rule do the rest. Temporary combines and
unlawful monopolios viii sometimes occur
but all attempts on the part of producers
70 combine to protect or force prices, or
TO act as their own merchants and millers
only make them more easy prey. | believe
that rice, like wheat or cotton. should be
sold IN an open market for cash and If so
SOLD there would always be capital to
handle 1t at profit TO the producer. The
buyer or broker can not take advantage OF
capital as he can of the farmers need of
e. Il. .as.I.t 4
Icy on the part OF both the miller and the
producer 10 mill rice in this way. a miller
who Is weak financially may find II easy
TO I'll his sheds with rough rice at times,
hut with a part OF the crop paid for and a
part In the hands of producers he would be
in better position to protect the trade and
to realize profit In the end while the farm
er would know when he sold n batch of
rice just what he could depend upon and
hold the balance OF trade. Elevators and
warehouses for buying and storing rice
ara more needed than more rice mills I'M
der the present system. If there is any
way in which tho farmer can cooperate
TO advantage, 1t is in storing and handling
rough rice. Farmers elevators or storage
warehouses would set the pace for other
companies and capitalists TO buy and
handle rice and do much to redeem the
Industry. If the present freak In the mar
ket brings about this result 1t will be of
lasting benefit.
Under the present spasmodlc system l
expect prices 10 be high next year--too
nigh to last-and am planting more rico
this season than ever before.
Another great drawback in the rice In |
dustry is the speculative manner in which |
rice farming Is carried on. This Is an evil |
which can also be corrected by the planter
ana for which he can blame himself Farm
ing. rightly understood, is not a specula- |
llon but a iiving-a business OF slow ac-
with profit. II any. in the sale
or the surplus. The one crop idea in rice |
farming, as In cotton or wheat farming Is |
a mistake, | have urged this upon our |
new settlers from the start-have used as |
an argument In selling lands the fact that |
Jefferson county lands are adapted to n |
variety of crops, but the tendency IL TO |
depend upon rice for everything The |
farmer who raises everything he can for
come consumption with a surplus OF rice
ana other crops and stock for sale can
auEn al low prices or a bad season and |
VII ma rice source Of great wealth IN a
ew years. II he expects 10 get rich from
'ny kind of farming In one wear tho
'hances are about ten to one against him
Not less rice, but more fruit, butter. eggs
1ork, beef. mutton, hay and vegetables
are what the farmer and the country
need w Wa
Track laying on the Texmknna and
Fort Smith railway began this afternoon.
''i' htiA- VI TUCK DFln. nut DOWN. |
fhe work will now he continued until tho
DAD is completed to Port Arthur.
meeting of the fire department IL TO
'e held at the hook and ladder truck house
Monday night Important business viii
'e transacted and all members are urged
o he present
Austin u. Gregory vs. John Martin
.orcible entry upon section 17s of the
Texas and New Orleans railroad survey.
appeal from justice court, is the title of n
u!t filed with District Clerk Blanchette.
n the justice court a verdict for plaintiff
vas rendered.
Brick work on the Kyle building has
'een completed and the cornice Is nearly
III placed. The building will soon be ready
or It's tenants and It will he one Of tho
'retuest structures in the city.
Mr.. H. NJ strongfellow of Galveston has
on u"cteo TOT tne erection of six $1,000 cot
ages on a block of land he owns in this
lily. '''''