Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-01
MILLING INDUSTRIES.
1t Is Facing q Crisis and Some
thing Must Be Done.
DUTY IMPOSED on FLOUR BY ENGLAND
This Duty Represents More Than the
Profits Which Millen Have Been Max
Ing on Products Sent to England
ROthwell's Letter.


Topeka, Kan, April 3O.-The -four
milling industry of the country is
facing a crisis, so Kansas millers say,
and something must be done, and
done quickly, to avert the disaster.
Three avenues remain open: A WHIP
ing out of the differential between
wheat and -four by the railroads, the
establishment Of reciprocal trade re-
lations with foreign countries and
the formation of millers' trust.
Either of the first two remedies
would enable the millers to get rid
of their surplus product in European
markets at a small profit. The other
the formation Of q trust-would
possibly mean an advancement in the
price of -four at home. This is some.
thing, the millers say, that they do
not want to do, but, if the other con.
cessions are not granted, then, for
self-preservation, they will be forced
to combine. As they put it, they
must hang together or they will
hang separately. With them it is
either to form trust or to bust.
If they combine they may reap
profits, but it will be at the expense
of the American consumers.
The straw to break the camels
back was the recent imposition Of .
duty on -four by the English govern
ment. That duty represents more
than the profits which the millers
have been making on their -four
products sent to England. 1t is for
this reason that some way must be
found by the millers Of this country
to get rid of their surplus -four.
While trusts have been formed in al.
most every manufacturing line in re-
cent years, no effort has been made
to get the millers of the entire coun-
try into one combination, for the
reason that there are SO many mills
and so many people to deal with
that it has been regarded in the past
as an almost impossible undertaking.
But with the danger that now con-
fronts the millers the stupendous
scheme of forming a trust is about
to be attempted.
B. ]. Rothwell, one OF the largest
millers in the United States, has
written letter to the presidents OF
the 80 leading railroads Of the coun.
try setting forth the millers' posi-
ton.
1.-THE export -four business has for
long time either been proftless OF
has involved loss. The carrying by
the railroads Of wheat cheaper than
flour has well nigh destroyed the
-four export trade. The action Of
the British government Is likely tc
prove the last straw. The American
miller cannot possibly compete IT he
is subjected to the discrimination Of
recent years. The railroads now
have an opportunity to step in ant
save the milling industry, earn the
permanent gratitude Of the American
millers and, incidentally, promote
their own ultimate welfare. Make
q fiat rate for both wheat and foul
and permit no deviation. The per
petuation and prosperity OF Ameri
can milling means much to the rail
roads in the way of collateral reve
nue.. This more than offsets the pos
sibly slightly greater cost OF han
ding. Never before have the rail
roads had so signal opportunity o.
demonstrating their friendliness tt
American enterprises. Their infiu
ences are powerful. May 1t be en-
listed on the side Of the American
miller"