The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-19

1t shows Widely Variant Conditions
west, Although the wheat Yield
Runs Very EvenIy-AVerage Yield
Fifteen Bushels. and Added Acre
age to Make Up Storm Damage.
The annual movement of wheat from
the west to the head of the lakes mas
commenced and: the present situation Is
causing the carriers from Duluth to the
eastern market much concern. wheat
yates have advanced until the tariff in
effect at present over both all rail ana
lake and rail lines is three times as much
as the same tariffs average for the past
five wears. The lake lines cannot hanale
more than 60 to s. per cent of the amount
Of wheat ard grain products carried last
wear and the all rail lines are suffering
a scarcity of cars which will act to
materially reduce the amount when theS
will be able to transport.
The wheat movement this year, on the
authority of general freight agents OF
three Of the lines concerned IN the
movement of the crop, will be nearly
as large as last year. The loss IN yleld
from the storms, unfaVorable weather
and other damaging agents will be mace
I'D in a large measure by the shipment Oh
grain from the west, which has been IN
storehoIse since last year.
The Northern Pacific and Great
Northern will not be able to carry as
much wheat this fall for the reason that
the movement of general merchandise Is
largely increased. The lake lines nave
considerably less tonnage than for several
years, and the amount of wheat 10 De
cared for in country elevators is reduced.
MinneaDCHs elevators will care for a large
amount of grain in transit awaiting the
betterment of conditions at the head OF
the lakes and the Duluth elevators, from
present indications, will be taxed to their
utmost capacity.
A fact which is not appreciated by most
shippers and which operates in congestaS
business from Duluth cast is that TINS
wear the lake lines have almost thlrd
less vessels In commission than last year,
The Spanish war is said to nave taken d
large number of boats, the government
purchasing them and, sending them to
the Atlantic through the canal All the
railroad lines are carrying an increased
business and three weeks more will bring
about a condition such rs has not been
seen for several years.
Last year at this time the amount of
wheat in storehouse at Duluth awaiting
shipment east was small. Before the
close Of navigation the crop had almost
been cleaned up and carried on.
Railroad men in st. Paul, concerned In
the present situation, predict that the
lake lines will be unable to do their
part in relieving the situation, through
lack of carriers. The high freight rates
on all rail export shipments will prevent
the movement CT a considerable amount
of grain and the result which seems ire
vitabe is that the crop will have to be
crowded into Duluth and Minneapolis
elevators and other storehouses adjacent
to the main shipping points, awaiting
better conditions in the spring. The lake
lines are rushed with business, the iron
ore business taking almost all the availa-
Bile business, as the profits to the lake
carriers are larger on this class of freight
than on wheat -four and corn. NaTA
cation viii close on Lake Superior about
December 10, leaving only about three
months in which to clear UP the annual
rush to the seaboard. The time is thought
to be insufficient.