The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-06-26
TALK
OF Kansas and oklahoma Con
trolling Wheat Market Of
the World.

WICHITA, KANS., JUNE 2j.-(Spec-
ial)-The Beacon has the following
startling article on the wheat situation:
There has been considerable talk
among mon interested i'm the grain busi-
ness Of the possibility Of the afrmers
millers and grain dealers of Kansas and
oklahoma forming combine and con-
trolling the price of the wheat this fall
The matter was at first talked over
merely as a proposition, and as the diff
ferent phases of the subject were pre-
sented, it appeared that such "a thing is
possible, and now the report is gain
ing credence that a move of this sort
is actually being contemplated should
the promoters see any chance for sue
cess.
1t is said that this matter is not be-
ing talked of or studied as for mere
pastime but that men who thoroughly
to the wheat crop in Kansas and Okla
homa, as compared with the balance of
the United States, are giving the mat
ter their serious attention, and it is
possible that some move looking to the
controlling of the market may be at
tempted.
The question that first presents itself
is how the market can be controlled by
Kansas and Oklahoma. A Beacon re-
porter called on Mr.. j. z. Howard of
the Union Mills and asked him If such
a thing was possible. He said:
1t certainly does look that way. Not
that the world is depending on us for
ditions have arisen which makes that
another matter altogether. Here is the
from the United States must be of the
very best quality. The wheat and flour
that is exported controls the price, and
if the wheat that is fit for export can
be controlled, then it stands to reason
that the market can be controlled.
The wheat crop of Kansas this year
is estimated at 100, 100000 bushels. Okla
we will use Kansas as an example.
Kansas mills can grind half of this crop.
Already agents from England and other
foreign countries are in the state engag-
ing all the best grade flour they can get.
The reason for this is because the great
wheat belt in the northwest fell down
on good wheat this year, and their wheat
will not make flour good enough for ex-
port. Tins you see, the matter of price.
lies considerably with the millers.
Then there still another phase to
the subject. The mills in the northwest
cannot grind flour for export use this
fall until they buy Kansas wheat.
They have made a reputation for max
ing frst-class -four and they must keep
up this reputation. Therefore, they
will buy Kansas and Oklahoma wheat
or they will not turn out any flour for
export. Do you suppose they can
freight their wheat up there, right away
from the home mills and then compete
with our mills in a foreign market? IT
does not stand TO reason"
That a combine can be organized and
effected, however, but few believe pos
sible. 1t is generally argued that the
farmer has never ahd any experience
in organization for mutual benefit, but
that the law of ctmpetition applies to
the farmer more than to any other in
dividual class at the present time. II
is further argued that the farmer as a
rule knows nothing of the benefits tc
be derived from such a combine. and
would consider 1t slam on his rights
to agree to hold his wheat until other
men decided that it would be best tc
let it go.