Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-29
INABILITY TO MOVE CANADIAN
CROP MENAcEs PRICES IN
UNITED STATES.
NOT SUFFICIENT SHIPS
AVAILABLE IN CANADA
Vessel Owners Find Other Freishts
Safer to Carry and More Profitable
Because Of War-Surplus May
Therefore Be Thrown Into United
States to Compete With Domestic
Gains-PrebIem Mom:ntous.
Especial correspondence

Washington, July 80. - American
for their crop as result of scarcity OF
steamers for carrying the Canadian
crop. This is indicated by a report
from Vice Consul Stanley L. Wilkin-
possibility of a large overflow OF
Canadian wheat into this country by
reason of lack Of transportation for
the Canadian product.
According to Vice Consul Wilkinson.
one of the most serious problems which
the Canadian government has under
consideration and one that will soon
be taken up with the British admiralty
and the London authorities is that OF
shortage of ocean tonnage and the
tying up of the Canadian export move
ment. The problem is lately one Of the
most pressing importance owing to the
impending harvest in Canada and the
necessity of moving the immense crop
(which is expected. The general export
business of the country IN general has
been seriously hanpered since out
break of the war due to shortage Of
ocean tonnage on both Atlantic and
Pacific.
Problem Is Momentous.
Mr.. Wilkinson says it will be seen
the problem is momentous when it Is
considered that practically the whole
OF Canada is vitality interested in the
movement of the new crop this au-
tumn. Not only the railway systems.
shipping houses and financial concerns
are involved but the whole Canadian
people.
The total wheat yield IN Canada last
year was 15S 100000 bushels while this
year the estimated crop is over GEO.
coo 0oo bushels This will require large
ship tonnage for export.
In the elevators OF the Dominion rev
there IS capacity OF 1ss. 100000 buss-
els THIS will about store the crop
But there IS only capacity OF 29,s
600 bushels in the elevators in the
eastern inspe ct,oa division, including
Montreal. 80 the. unless better facili-
ties for expor, are forthcoming soon
the crop from che west Will have to be
moved gradually
Serious Congestion Feared.
IN. view OF thu says Mr.. Wilkinson.
4, is considered probable that there VIII
be serious congestion OF wheat at the
ocean terminals by the end OF Septem-
Der and in this case the rail- movement
tc the cas-; viii be held up. This may
bring about an overflow Of wheat on
the western markets and a consequent
big drop in price This vii! be the ef-
feet unless the Canadian government
succeeds In its present efforts to have
some of the ships now on war service
relea sed. and every available tramp
steamer pressed into service.
The vessels not engaged on the
kings business ADDS the report. al
reaping a rich harvest, as ocean freight
rates are extremely high. The increas-
ed insurance rates on account of war
risk are comparatively light compared
with the increase in freight rates II
they go still higher joint action. 1t is
said, viii be taken by the imperial or
Canadian government to requisition all
available freighters for hauling food
exports from Canada at fixed freight
rate. with the government assuming
the risk or loss"