The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-01
PERPLEx GRAIN TRUST
Hunting For Method to Combat
Farmers Elevators.

The grain dealers trust now seems to
be casting about for a way to combat
the farmers elevator companies which
have been started in Kansas and other
grain-pi oducing states within the past
year. The official organs of the grain
dealers associations have been insist
Ing that the farmers elevator companies
are not amounting to anything and that
the movement is dying out, but perhaps
in the very same issues of the same
publications will be found notices of the
organization of several new farmers
companies.
What is now wanted by the trust
grain dealers is a method of shutting
out these farmers elevator companies.
The Grain Dealers Journal, of Chicago,
contains the following in its current is
sue:
"Agitators and promoters are now at
work in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and
Ohio trying to- induce the farmers to CO.
operate for the purpose OF driving the
regular grain dealers out of business by
shipping their own grain. To few
narrow minded grain growers this move
may seem a legitimate undertaking.
Their prime purpose is to disturb mar
kets, institute fights and disrupt the
business of regular grain dealers. They
do not organize for commercial pur-
poses, that is. their principal motive in
organizing Is not to conduct grain
business along regular lines and for the
purpose of gaining a profit, but solely
for tearing down the established BUSH
ness of the regular dealer, robbing his
property of the little value it may have,
and driving him from the station. Such
a move is one not likely to command the
admiration of any fair-minded person.
If farmers desire to engage in the grain
business along regular lines. or COM
pete with the regular dealers, as the
dealers do with one another. then no
legitimate exception could be taken to
their entering the business, but if they
continue their efforts to stir up a row
with the regular grain dealers, they are
sure to get more than satisfaction for
their trouble. The Ohio association So
licits information regarding farmers
cooperative grain companies and will
appreciate any information sent the
secretary.
LAS yet the associations, nor the ex-
changes of the central markets. have
not taken decided stand for or against
the organized disturbers. Surely their
action could never be considered COM
sists them. either by handling their
grain, furnishing them with funds or
market information, must be likewise
guilty of monumental conduct By no
| stretch of imagination could they be
considered legitimate grain dealers. In
reality, they are commercial pirates
| who choose to prey solely upon the reg
ular country elevator man, and are en-
| titled to no consideration in any court
| of justice The problem Of how best to
deal with the farmers elevator compa-
| MES, which are organized to DISRUPT
| markets, is truly a deep one, but ii
| must be solved, and soon, II the associ-
atoms and the regular dealers are tc
| thrive. One remedy, long since suggest
| ed, is the loading fee, but to obtain this
| the regular dealers must become auth
| orized freight solicitors for the lines
| over which they Ship