Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-20
Public Opinion on Iowa Subjects %
Reflected in the Iowa News.
papers
The News Of Iowa From Hundreds
Of Different Towns and Com.
munitiea {
HORSE AND MULE EXPORTS.

lf1OIltSIGuQ.I37ss
Almost everybody knows in a general
way that the South African war has
furnished a large outlet, at good prices,
for the horses and mules OF this coun-
try, but few realize the extent to which
this has been so. "A recent dispatch
from New Orleans gives come idea Of
what the shipments have been from
that port, and the figures will be rather
surprise to most people. The ship
E1ents are now closed and it took fifty
six voyages to handle the animals pur-
chased. The actual value OF the horses
and mules was not far from SIC, 0OO, 900.
For the item of hay alone to feed the
stock in transit more than quarter OF
million was spent among local deal
ers. The Quitting for the fifty-six
voyages was all done at New Orleans,
Of course, and gave q great impetus to
the trads in ships stores. The total
number of mules shipped was 42,169
and OF horses 1882. Over $500 mule
drivers were employed in making the
several trips and most OF them are
having a hard time getting back home
again. The average price paid for the
mules is officially stated to have been
$50. The average price for the horses
was $108. The mules were bought
chiefly in Missouri and Texas. and the
horses came from the southern and
western states.
PLANT OF THE ELEVATOR MEN.
IBelle Plaine Union.l
In the opinion Of George A. Wells, Of
Des Moines. secretary OF the state as-
ISOLATION Of grain buyers, who was in
the city Wednesday attending meet
ing of the grain buyers OF this vicin-
ity, that industry is suffering from an
excess of competition and the dealers
over the state are barely making liv-
ing. He says the average amount of
grain handled by each Of the 1000 ele-
vators Of the state in q year was In, the
neighborhood Of 100000 bushels ard the
gross profit to the dealer would not
average, he was quite certain, over one
cent bushel. making the average In
come of the grain buyers over the state
about $1,000 a year, with which to pay
their help, taxes, insurance and keep
up repairs, leaving but little for net
profit. Mr.. Wells has been in the grain
business for many years and is perfect
lSly familiar with the inside workings Of
the business. There are only two rene
dies for this condition OF things, he
claims, either the elevator men must
| pay less for their grain, that Is handle
| itN at a larger margin, or else about
one third of the elevators must be
closed. For the first condf ton, the grain
producers, the farmers, will not stand
and to the second, the elevator men
themselves will not take liking. AS
a consequence they are struggling
along on an exceedingly small income,
are in many cases carrying the side
lines Of lumber, coal. etc, to help make
a living. Mr.. Wells claimed that an ele-
should average cent and half gross
profit per bushel. He said that the
building of the many new lines Of rail-
way was responsible in alarge measure
for much of the distress. He called at
tention to q nearby town which with
one line Of railway supported three ele-
svators, as the town; was situated In
very rich agricultural district. A new
road was put thru the town and an
elevaor built on the new line. The new
road is looking for business and by
means of certain. reductions in rates or
other inducements it enables the new
elevator to get part OF the business
heretofore controlled by the first three.
No new business has been created by
the building OF the new elevator but the
three first on the ground suffer con-
siderable loss Of business. And II the
new elevator does not get enough bust
ness to suit the traffic department OIL
cials of the new road, a second eleva-
tor will be established on the road and
conditions for all five will be 4he hard-