East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-07-27

What will the Umatilla county far
mers do with the grain companies in
return for their advance in ware
house charges just announced? This
is subject that has been freely dis
ucssed in grain circles today, where
the advance In rates is now the chief
topic Of conversation. Thus far the
farmers OF this vicinity have been
busi'y engaged In threshing 40-bushel
wheat and consequently have had but
little time to push prosecutions of the
grain trust" What steps. IL any,
they will take in the future remains
to be seen.
At Walla Walla the farmers have
laid the matter before the district
attorney who has promised to bring
action against the companies IL he
finds such is possible. 1t Is possible
similar steps may be attempted here.
District Attorney Phelps is scheduled
to arrive here this evening from Sea-
| side, where he has been enjoying a
three weeks. vacation and consequent
ly will be in good condition to grap-
pie with the octopus should the wheat
raisers say the word.
"Cheap At That" Says Moore.
That the warehouse prices, even
with the addition of the SO per cent
! advance, will still be so moderate as
to afford the grain brokers but little
hope Of ever getting in the same
financial class with the farmers, is
declared by Will Moore. Umatilla
county manager for the Pacific Coast
Elevator company. According to Mr..
Moore the advance in the charges will
mean Just three-fourths of a cent per
bushel to the farmers, instead of five
cents per sack as contemplated at
Walla Walla. with the high prices
prevailing and the large yields this
year he feels that the growers can
stand it.
In defense of the advance in ware
house prices Mr.. Moore says that the
pense in handling grain they were a
few years ago. Lumber for building
warehouses is now doubled, and it is
necessary to pay workmen twice the
pay they once received, whereas less
work is gotten out Of them. Further
more, the difficulty of getting cars
has worked a hardship on the grain
companies because they have been
forced to have their men remain idle
while waiting for cars. Also, the large
cars now used make loading more
expensive than formerly.
According to our accounts" says
the grain buyer, "It costs us twice
as much to load wheat now as 1t die
six years ago, and at the old rates
the handling charges were not suffi-
cient to pay the operating expenses OF
the various companies doing business
here. So If any money has been made
nv the companies, 1t has been ma,
after the grain left this section"
History of Warehouse Charges.
In the early days of the wheat in.
dustry in this county so cents per tor
was charged by the grain companies
for storing wheat one month, after
which 10 cents per month was charg-
ed. This rate was in effect until
,about 1890, when the price was low
cred to so cents per ton for the entire
season. After time the rate was rails.
ed to so cents per ton for storing until
January 1, and two years ago charge
of 10 cents per month for each month
after January /, was added. AS q
result of the advance in prices JUS
made by the grain companies the far.
mer will have to pay 75 cents pei
ton for storing wheat until January
/, and 10 cetns per month after that
date.