The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-14
THOUSANDS OF WHEAT
CARS ON S|DETRACKS
Railroads Unable to Move Cars
Loaded Last November
for New York.

NEW YORK, Feb. 13.-ConditIons sur.
rounding the local flour market have
SHOWN no Improvement during the week
Just closed, but II anything are subject
to additional complications. The decline
In the grain markets has caused buyers
To withdraw completely for the present
and inaSmuch as they are plentifully sup
pied Tor Immediate needs they are In a
position to await developments.
The new complications are an Indirect
result or the switchmens strike in the
northwest, as II is difficult for the Min
neapois mills TO send flour to eastern
points owing to a shortage OF cars. Flour
men do not now know how 10 interpret
the market situation. because this factor
has two directly contrary influences,
inc northwestern roads are said to
nave thousands of cars OF wheat side
tracked over their systems. much of
which has been there since carly In No
NemDer II this wheat could be sent In
rapidly to the terminal points 1t would
undoubtedly, have sharp influence on
cash prices, which at present form the
mainstay of the wheat market and con-
on the other hand. the vast amount OF
equipment now tied up and useless makes
II diincult for the mills to get cars to
ship flour east, with the result that all
week the best premiums have been paid
for wheat arriving in cars that could
Immediately be reloaded with flour
Furthermore. 1t is said that there is con
siderable congestion OF cars in and about
chicago as an Indirect result OF the
swltchlnens strike, and in a large meas
ure due TO the green switchmen who have
replaced the strikers.
Reports from private sources state that
the railroad situation in the northwest is
about as bad as IL could well be- From
the causes above referred 10. IL is being
felt In the east. and in New York in par
lcular, In the slow shipment Of flour
which is taking two months TO reach here
In place OF the ordinary three to four
weeks under normal conditions.
THIS has served 10 prevent a large ac-
cumula tion Of spring wheat flour at New
York the supplies OF which are now said
by the railroads TO be only normal where
as southwestern supplies are above nor
NAL. In fact. some of the mills are find
ing difficulty in meeting the local de-
mands and although this Is not likely
TO advance prices, IL is causing incon-
yenience 10 mill representatives and the
buyers.
G; Broenniman, representing the
Sleepy Eye Milling company OF Sleepy
Eye. Mimi, confessed on Satur-
day that not only were the supplies on
hand practically exhausted. but the diff
iiculty In getting shipments through was
Advices from his mill declared that
there were actually thousands OF cars
throughout the northwestern section oi
the country filled with wheat awaiting
shipment TO Minneapolis and Duluth
some OF which have been there since the
very beginning OF the labor troubles. In
order 10 get deliveries through 10 New
York the Sleepy Eye company is send
ing cars through loaded 10 their utmost
capacity with -four in sacks. I'm some In
stances where large cars are used. dou-
bling the ordinary standard carload lot
the idea being 10 get the flour 10 New
York In one way or another.
Mr.. George Zabriskie. representing tho
Pillsbury Milling company OF Minneapolis
stated that while he had sufficient flour
on hand TO make deliveries. he was new
ertheess. experiencing difficulty In get
| ting later orders through as rapidly as
usual. his trouble being due 10 the con-
gestion In and about Chicago. This. how
ever, has been partially overcome by re-
routing some OF the freight and avoiding
the congested points.
T. G, Estce OF the Washburn Crosby
company said they had provided agains
difficulties OF this kind by shipping theIl
! flour over the higher rate route; that is
by following the allrail routes and avoid.
! ing the congestion. Some of the mill.
use the route across the lake In order tc
! obtain a saving OF cents a barrel or
| the freight. Mr. Estee said bis supplies
on hand were sufficient 10 effect promp
deliveries.