The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-11
An AsIATIC MARKET FOR AMERICAN
WHEAT.

An ASfAIiC MARKET FOR AMERICAN
WHEAT.
The recent letter of James ]. Hill. presi-
dent of the Great Northern Railroad reia-
tive TO the possibilities of trade in China
and Japan for American breadstuffs, pre-
sents some interesting points in regard to
the worlds commerce and the methods by
which new lines OF trade are developed.
The Great Northern Railroad, of which
Mr.. Hill is president, extends from st. Paul
to Seattle, WASH with a branch 10 Port
land. Ore 1t traverses the States of Mime
sofa. Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Wash
immense wheat-producing region. Mr.. Hill
is one of the most successful railroad men
in the country, and a man of large and
broad views. For some time past he has
been trying to establish a market in China
and Japan for American wheat and flour,
and his efforts have been so far successful
as to prove that, by wise legislation, very
profitable trade be built up with those
countries and a new. market of vast posi-
bilities opened for American breadstufs.
The staple food product of China and Ja-
cheap and nutritious food, but wheat is
equally nutritious. and If it could be laid
down in those countries at a price to COM
pete with rice the people would use 1t.
When Mr.. Hill. about three years ago, sent
an agent 10 China and Japan to investigate
the possibilities of introducing wheat flour
into those countries he found that 1t was
cir ter of he thought
of establishing a line of American steam
ers, to run in connection with the Great
Northern Railroad, and carry wheat to
China and Japan. But here he ran against
a snag. II found" he says, that we could
build the ships. but that. owing to the sail
ors' union fixing the wages of sailors at $50
a month and engineers and other ship en-
ployes at about twice the wages paid by
European steamers. it would be impossible
for US to compete with English, German,
Italian and Scandinavian ships already on
the Pacific ocean, This matter of high
wages proved an insuperable obstacle TO
the establishment of an American line OF
steamers. and it had to be abandoned. But
men like Mr.. Hill are not easily discour-
aged and he determined TO try another
plan. The Japanese government had appro-
priated a large amount of their immense
war indemnity from China as a SUBJ
sidy to build up their merchant
marine-a policy which is followed by every
civilized government in the world except
the United States-and Mr.. Hill opened ne
gotiations with the General Steamship
Company of Japan. This company re-
ceives a subsidy from the japanese
government ab0lt equal to the cost
of their coal and the wages of their
sailors, and they are consequently
able to make very low freights. After
considerable negotiation Mr. Hill concluded
a contract with this company for line
of steamers between Seattle and China and
Japan which should carry flour from Puget
sound to Asiatic ports at So ton. AS the
former rate had been 81 TO s. ton this was
a great point gained, especially as all other
ships, English German and Scandinavian,
had to come to the same rates. American
ships are not lin it, in ocean trade. it not
being the policy of the United States TO
build up its merchant marine. Under this
low rate about 2S,OOO.O00 bushels of Amer
lean wheat, or its equivalent in flour. have
been shipped to China and Japan from last
years crop. OF course this meant rs, 100000
bushels Of wheat withdrawn from the Eu-
ropean market and consequent stiffening
OF the price. The price of wheat this year
is 20 to % per cent. higher than it was last
year, and it is fair to assume that the most
of this increase is due to the opening of
other phase of the question. Mr.. Hill says:
The only way could bring about this
great reduction i'm the cost OF transporta-
ton of flour to Asia was by diverting the
tea and mating business, which has here
tofore gone mainly on English ships from
Asia direct TO New York, and bringing
these commodities to the Pacific coast by
a low rate of transportation inland by rail
to distribute the commodities TO points be-
tween Minnesota and New DIRK.
Thus, besides opening a new market for
American wheat. this large scheme contem-
plated beating English ships with Japanese
and diverting an important branch of trade
from New York to Pacific coast ports and
thence by rail east to the interior Such
schemes are worthy CT American enter
prise and of a legitimate railroad king.
Congress should not do anything to break
up this trade or close the newly opened
Asiatic market for American breadstuffs
1t would be far better if the ocean trans
portation were done by American ships but
as Congress is not wise or patriotic in
dealing with our merchant marine that
may not be possible. But better by Japanese
ships than by English. especially as the
low Japanese freights have opened great
Eastern market for our wheat. If any
thing can be done in the tariff law to pre-
| serve this trade it should be done.
CARE OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
| One of the problems which confronts
| charity boards in States and counties is