The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-24

The annual report of the Minneapolis
Chamber of Commerce shows that Inc
past year was one of great activity ana
prosperity for tue grain trade and flour
mills. The report -dwels at some length
upon the discriminating freight rates
which have operated against minneapolis.
1t shows that the Minneapolis miners IN
their endeavors to secure an adequate
supply Of the highest grade milling wheat
have gone more than ever beyond the
territory from which they have drawn
their supplies for years.
The crops of 1901 and OF 1902 We're
fairly large with an active demand Ioi
both and larger sales were made 1Of local
consumption than ever before. Inc cereai
mills the feed mills, the flour mills and
the flax mills all increased in capacity,
while they worked as actively up to capac-
fly as in any former year. With the eX-
fstence of such conditions and an active
inquiry for shipment the commercial de-
rnand was at no time burdened with sur
plus.
Couldn't Keep Grain Away.
In co1nmt nting upon the discrimination
nv the railroads against Minneapolis the
report says:
'.Grain rates by the railroads in the
northwest continued to be somewhat dis
crininative as between Minneapolis and
the principal Lake Michigan terminals:
The trouble from this: however, was less
In 1902 than in 1901, as some Of the diff
flculties of the earlier year were adjusted
Another thing that brought these cDndi-
tions into less prominence was the fact
that prices of grain in Minneapolis, and
particularly Of wheat, were higher rela-
lively than in other markets. This was
caused by the very large demand that ex-
listed by nillers in the northwest for grain
to keep their mills going. All Of these
mills. whether in the country or at the
: terminal points in the northwest were I'M
usually active and more flour was ground
with necessarily larger consumption of
wheat used than in any preceding year.
That large demand compelled nillers, to
look about in all directions for sources of
s. supply sufficient to meet their require
ments. That demand was such that prices
In Minneapolis were relatively higher as
compared with otlier;. markets, than had
> been the case in Feeding years. The
result was that grain was brought from
: r. greater -tlistance:' One fictitious motion,
: of the railroads was that Minneapolis was
getting more than, it should get of THE
grain from competitive points, and tt
. change this. current of movement. more
go. from Minneapolis to other CITIES, the roads
made lower rates. to Lake Michigan ports
Still the result showed that without the
- advantage of railroad help the grain still
> continued to come here as prices for
: northern wheat continued throughout the
year to be relatively above the prices in
other markets. -: +. --r"
What President: MARSHALL Says. r..
=. The president of the chamber, James
: Marshall. says: 1929 g..
Il find that the business Of the past
year: is not much different from that OF
=: the Year before. The sales of spot wheat
were about 100000 bushels less than the
sales of 1901. The total receipts Of wheat
for the calendar year were SS,762 12(
bushels, which is about 100000 less than
that of 1901. A great deal Of complaint is
heard from millers, and all grain men as
whole, because Of the unsatisfactory
grain rates, claiming that this cause otter
diverted grain from this market. Although
full crops have been grown in the north.
= west in late years, the millers are finding
it more difficult to supply their wants
than formerly. They are now reachine
out into border states and also to the Ca
madam northwest for supplies, despite the
tariff burden; but that burden is some
what overcome by the milling in bond fea
ture, but not wholly so. We have passed
through prosperous crop year and have
not much cause for complaint. Our build
Ing is now on a fair scale Of completion
and we expect another good year in thu
trade" g: ..> -.
-. Flour Production Increased.
AS usual there was considerable in.
crease in the production of flour, which
!. for ten years has increased steadily, the
- production last year passing 16, 000 00t
barrels for the first time. It is noticeable
however, that a larger portion of the pro.
duction, of the mills was sold in this coun.
try than in any other year in the last
twenty. condition due very largely tt
the discrimination in freight rates to the
disadvantage Of flour as compared will
wheat. During the year business in gen.
eral was fairly. satisfactory. While profit.
were not large, there was general pros
perity and no failure of prominence wa!
noted. ."
Local mills ground some 70, 900, 900 bush
els of wheat; country mills in the Da
kotas and in Minnesota ground approx
mately 100000 bushels of wheat, max
ing more than 100000, 900 bushels grount
in the country and in. MINNEAPOLIS.