The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1912-09-25
The Potato Situation.

I1o0" "uo1C LII Iulo ISSUE Will De
found communication from the
Fitzsimmons Baldwin company
which is an answer to the letter of
w. A. Cassler which was published
Monday night. From the statements
Of this company, it appears that they
are willing and able to pay cash for
all produce which is brought to the
local market. On the other hand, if
any farmer wishes to market his own
produce, the company will handle it
for fixed charge per bushel. That
is as much as any company can do.
Farmers who are bringing their
produce to Bemidji should remember
that their market today is not the
one which they had five years ago.
When the country was newer than
it is now, not enough potatoes were
raised to supply the home demand.
AS a consequence, the price in Be-
midi had little relation to that OF
the outside markets. At this time,
however, more is being raised than
can be consumed here and that part
which is shipped out, will bring the
outside market price and no more.
Farmers have complained to the
editor many times that they cannot
get cash for their produce in Bemid-
il, and that such stores as buy want
them to take it out in trade. This
may be true to limited extent, but
it is a well known fact that these
same men will sell direct to the re-
tailers, who are the natural custom
ers OF the grocers, if they can get a
few cents more for their produce
The farmer who is selling direct in a
grocers' territory has little excuse for
finding fault it that same man wants
him to take his pay out in trade.
Mr.. Cassler recommended that ef-
forts be made to have the Ryan peo-
pie place potato warehouse in Be-
midi. The editor has certain knoWl-
edge that the farmers who dealt with
the Ryans last year are not satisfied
and many complain that they did not
get a square deal. A concern like
this is not needed nor wanted in Be-
midi.
One thing can be said right here.
The Ryan people last spring author
lied advertisements to the effect that
they would furnish farmers with
seed potatoes of any variety ii the
farmers would bring back this fall
two bushels for each one they took
in the spring. Ryan gave them an
option of contracting their entire
yield to him at twenty-five cents a
bushel. Many farmers took advant-
age OF this offer but when the time
came for Ryan to deliver the seed,
the market was going up and he
claimed that he could not carry out
the agreements.
If the Commercial club, or any
other organization, is going to take
steps to see that potato warehouse
is built in Bemidji, the editor be-
lieves that those already here should
be considered first The Fitzsim-
mons-Baldwin company has num-
Der of men on the road who live in
Bemidji and boost for Bemidji when
ever it is possible. Their interests
are centered here. No word of just
criticism on their business methods
has ever reached this desk.
Their statement that they have
leased land and are ready to build
when conditions warrant such step
is belieyable. To be fair, the editor
is willing to admit that there may be
conditions in the situation of which
he is in ignorance, but at this time
he feels that the company already
here is willing and able to care for
all produce that may be brought in
this fall.