The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-13
The Future Of Wheat.

-a.
The Future Of Wheat.
Mr.. William G. Edgar. editor Of the
Northwestern Miller, is the author OF a
''Story Of Grain Of Wheat" %. Apple
ton & Co., New York;. which for the
practical business man as well as the
student Of economics is one of the most
readable books that has recently come
from the press This is not the place to
review this meritorious volume, but some
of the assertions and predictions the
author makes evoke discussion and de-
mand consideration.
Wheat, which has been so potent in all
human history and has had so much to
do with the development of the United
States, may yet, in Mr.. Edgar's opinion,
profoundly affect the tariff policy Of the
United States. The wheat raisers Of the
west, he asserts, are, regardless Of party,
strongly infected with low tariff views.
These views are also becoming common
among millers and wheat and flour deal
ers. At present the low tariff tendency is
asserting itself principally in demand
for freer trade relations with Canada and
removal of the American duty on wheat.
But Mr.. Edgar thinks that if wheat is
placed on the free list, it will be necessary
to remodel the whole tariff system. He
says:
On both sides Of the line which divides
northwestern Canada from the northwest
ern states, the discovery and exploitation
Of the new fields Of wheat are rapidly
changing mems minds politically, and
drawn by their mutual needs, the farmer
on the one side and the buyer on the other
are getting beyond the control Of party
leadership and are seeking to change the
tariff Of their respective countries. It is
doubtful whether any legislation can be
effected either in Canada or the United
states which will satisfy the demands Of
these elements, and still leave otherwise
intact the tariff structure. If free wheat
Is obtained, complete revision Of the
tariff will probably accompany it. Such
result may, indeed, follow the present
agitation, and If it should, the credit for
the removal or the lowering of the tariff
walls must be given to King Wheat, who
has always been an enemy to all human
laws which are designed to keep mankind
from securing its full and free supply Of
bread. -
Whether one agrees with this or not,
it Is certainly a most interesting and in
spring opinion. Whether, as Mr.. Edgar
asserts, because Of escaping opportunity
of better trade relations with western
Canada; free trade, as we'll as reciprocity
and low tariff, Is growing in popularity
turnout the northwestern portion of the
United States at a rate which eastern
m how
western politicians but dimly compre-
hend," there Is no doubt that lower
tariff and reciprocity are certainly getting
a strong foothold in the northwest.
Mr.. Edgar demonstrates in very able
fashion that the duty Of Is cents a bushel
rather an injury to the American wheat
grower. HE has discovered" says Mr..
Edgar, that tariff which keeps Can
adam wheat out of the United States, but
is powerless to keep 1t out Of Liverpool
is no protection whatever. He has
learned that Britain makes the price
of wheat If, therefore, the Canadian crop
reaches the foreign market thru Canadian
channels, it depreciates the value of
American wheat quite as much or more
than it would If it came into direct con-
tach with the wheat of the United States.''
This is true, and it is equally true that
If the two crops moved thru common
channels Canadian wheat growers would
also be benefited.
AS to the future of wheat growing on
this continent Mr.. Edgar, after making all
allowances for frosted wheat and other
drawbacks in western Canada, is inclined
to predict that the primary in wheat rails
ing is destined to pass from the United
States to Canada; but, mindful of the
fate that has overtaken wheat prophets
before his time, he leaves a saving clause
for the possibilities of macaroni wheat in
the arid or semiarid west, recalling that
its present estate is no lower than that
of spring wheat, which was despised Of
the millers forty years ago.