The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-24
MILLS IN CANADA
Little Likelihood That Millers on
This Side Will Build on
the Other.
Abolition of Duty on Canadian
Wheat a Possibility in Way
Of the Project. \.

Minneapolis millers are not contemplate
ing investments in Canadian milling
plants nor is there any probability that
local capital will build any flour mills IN
Canada. The Canadian mlllers are try
ing hard to cut in upon the lines OF trade
relationship now existing between English
buyers and Minneapolis millers. and it has
been suggested in Canada that subsidies
be offered to American millers to come
across the line and put up new plants.
With Manitoba wheat, subsidized mills
and subsidized steamship lines. it Is
argued that Canadian mills would be able
to do business on basis so low that the
minneapolis rnilers would be unable TO
compete for the English trade. And con-
sentative English statesmen are said to
have pledged themselves to do all In their
power to help the plan from their end of
the line, while the Canadian economists
would naturally favor anything that
the Canadian northwest, thus building up
the country industrially. Nevertheless it
is not likely that American capital will so
into such enterprises. .'
John Washburn is familiar with condi-
lions governing competition between
American and Canadian mills, for the
reason that the Washburn-Crosby COM
pany to take up the matter of making
flour on the American side from Canadian
wheat. The work preliminary to the
bonding Of local mill and the bringing
of Manitoba wheat into Minneapolis in
bond. resulted in the collection of data on
which to base Intelligent opinion as to the
probable changes in relative conditions on
the American and Canadian sides of the
line in years to come.
Il have followed with interest," said
Mr.. Washburn, 1.-THE reports appearing
from time to time regarding the develop
nent of the Canadian milling industry and
the efforts being made to induce American
across the line. I do not know of any
Minneapolis mtllers, or any American
capital that Is contemplating any such
move, and think it safe to say that the
rise of a milling industry in the Canadian
northwest backed by American capital is
something very remote
1T has been demonstrated by actual
experience, that even with the handicap
now existing, and the innumerable annoy
ances, it is possible to mill Canadian
wheat in Minneapolis in bond with some
profit:
1T is conceivable that the Canadian
government might offer large subsidies to
American investors, and it is quite posi-
BILE that SO fostered, an industry might
quickly arise. But it seems to me such
plan would be in a way lacking in basic
soundness. Canada already has some
very fine milling properties and these
will probably grow from time to time in a
healthy, legitimate way. But I do not
look for any rush of American capital
into the building Of mills across the line.
'Of course this all leads to the consid-
GRAFTON of closer trade relationship with
Canada, which in my opinion is the ques-
ton Of overshadowing Importance to the
commercial northwest. Now an Ameri-
can building mill in Canada would know
that he could not compete with Mime
apolis on an even basis and his chance
of good profits would lie in the continu-
ance of what I might perhaps call I'M
natural conditions. And since there is a
tremendous growth of sentiment here
favoring the abolishing Of. the, duty OF
Is cents a bushel on Manitoba wheat, the
investor In a new, Canadian plant would
probably want to weigh carefully the
chances of this dutys being abolished be-
fore committing himself. AS millers and
men interested in the growth of our city,
we are Of course anxious for the day
when there shall be free market here
for all wheat. And from recent obser-
walton I am inclined to think that the
opposition to this on the part of the
American wheat growers is not so strong
now as it was formerly"