Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1915-01-21
DO NOT FAVOR
STATE ELEVATOR
BOARD OF CONTROL IN REPORT
ADVISES AGAINST TERMINAL
ELEVATORS

ADVISES AUA1NSx 1CWN0ANAA
ELEVATORS
Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 18.-Report-
ing the findings Of its two year inves-
tigation into the proposal to establish
state owned terminal elevators, the
North Dakota board Of control advises
against the establishment Of such in
stitutions.
"After thorough investigation,
says the board report, lin which
every effort has been made to learn
what, if any, advantages such q pro.
posal might have, it is the opinion OF
the board that there is no sound, prac-
tical plan by which terminal state
owned and operated elevator, erected
in the Twin cities, Duluth or Super
ior, would in any way make it pos
sible for the farmers of this state to
get better price for their grain, and
that any investigation made in ter
minal elevators located at any or
all of these terminal markets would
be waste of the peoples money, as
we'll as humiliating disappointment
to the people of the state.
However, should it be the judg.
-ment of the legislative assembly and
the tax payers of the state, after
mature deliberation, that the terminal
elevators is proper and desirable
business proposition for state to en-
gage. in, the board recommends that
any such system established on 9 CO.
operative basis, both as to the eleva-
tors themselves and the selling agency
connected Herewith.
eve recommend strongly against
the expenditure by the state OF any
money for the erection of new termi-
nal elevators at any and all points,
but if the state concludes to go into
the undertaking at all we recommend
that it rent or lease existing terminal
elevators, if such can be secured at
a reasonable rental, and thereby try
out the scheme at the least possible
loss to the state"
The report was filed with the legis-
lature this afternoon and it goes
investigation made by the board
thoroughly into every feature of the
during the last two years, r. s. Lewis,
F. O. Brewster, and j. E. Jackson, are
the members of the board conduct
ing this investigation.
The board has divided its report
into three sections covering specific
information required by the 1918 leg
islature, summary Of results in Can
ada of provincial owned elevators, and
general review of the proposal of
North Dakota to establish and oper-
ate system of terminal elevators in
Minnesota and Wisconsin,
Concerning the location of terminal
elevators the board recommends two
terminal elevators, one in the twin
cities and one at the head of the
lakes. By having two terminals the
state would have the advantage Of
the lake transportation during the
open season and rail transportation in
the closed season. AS between Du-
luth and Superior the advantage lies
with Duluth. The Minnesota inspec-
tion system and regulations generally
covering grain are regarded as more
acceptable than Wisconsin.
Under the head of cost of building
and site the board finds that ter
minal elevator f,zll ll-y equipped and
ready for operation would cost from
25c to 45c per bushel capacity, de-
pending upon the type of construc-
ton, the capacity Of werkhouse as
compared with storage capacity and
also depending upon the number Of
storage bins and tehir capacity.
Terminal elevator owned by the
dominion of Canada at Port Arthur,
Ont, having a capacity of 3,350,000
bushels cost complete, with a 100000
site and all incidental expenses, ST.
379, ,4O9.42 or about 42c per bushel.
A modern complete elevator of g.
100000 capacity would cost about
million dollars, but one of 100000
capacity would cost more than half
the cost of larger capacity. Re-
enforced concrete construction is ad-
vised.
A site at the head Of the lakes prac-
tically requires the purchase Of q wa
ter lot, dredging, filling and driving
a pile foundation. Such site at Du-
luth, when ready for elevator con-
struction, would cost anywhere from
$4,000 o$15O,000. Canada's site at
Port Arthur cost 100000 and the
dredging cost $4,000. A site at Su-
perior would probably cost less than
a site at Duluth.
Az Cne Twin CUES a desirable SlCe
can be purchased for from $4,000 to
$4,000, dependent upon location as to
switching charges, proximity to mills,
side track room, area, etc.
The board is advised that three
million capacity elevator is regarded
as most economical to operate.
Covering the question Of purchasing
a terminal elevator, the board says
that such terminals as are often for
sale are of wooden construction and
more or lescs obsolete.
Plans, specifications and construc-
tion supervision would mean an out
lay of large sum. Canada paid $751;
900 for this feature.
Careful inquiry into the possibility
of leasing or renting terminal eleva-
tors is advised before any steps for
construction are taken. Thus the
state would have had actual expert
ence in the business before under
taking the expenditure Of dollar for
building.
AS to the cost of operation the
board sites salaries paid men in pri-
vate owned terminals as well as their