Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-27
BIG MEN WHO DID
NOT SEE THE SAME
Difference in Opinion Between
Stickney and Burt as 10 the
Omaha Grain Exchange.
FAIRNESS BASIS OF STRENGTH

Two railroad presidents had much to
DO with the founding Of the omaha Grain
exchange.
one OF them really originated the idea.
The other said "don't' and cant"
The first was A. y. Suckney, at that
time president Of the Chicago, Great
Western railroad. which had just built
its line into Omaha.
Before this line came In the railroads
had rates on grain ~ arranged that,
though Omaha was tho heart Of the grain
producing section Of the country. the sur
plus grain production could not be
handled IN this city
Mr.. sticiCney had met the same condi-
tions in Kansas city. which grew out Of
. desire Of the originating railroads to
get the long haul on the grain. After
many years OF warfare and strife, Mr..
stickney succeeded in working out a plan
By which the through rates on grain were
made equal 20 the sum OF the local rate
in and the proportionate rate out.
When the Great Western was finished
into Omaha he applied the same basis
at Omaha and thereby started a tremen-
dous rate war on grain. which resulted
IN corn being carried from Omaha to the
Mississippi river for 3 cents a hundred.
He showed the Omaha grain men that
they might build up as great n grain
market az that at Kansas City or Mime
apoiis II they took advantage Of the con-
dition produced by his action. and he sue
ceeded IN interesting with him IN his
campaign all the business interests Of
Omaha.
Mr. stlckney is now an invalid and Is
living in ST. Paul MINI. and one Of the
pleasing features OF the opening Of the
fine new building has been the writing
TO Mr. stickney Of many letters OF sp-
probation by members OF the exchange.
Burt's had Judgment.
The railroad president who said don't
was President Burt OF the Union Pa
cific.
"a grain exchange at Omaha isn't
needed and isn't wanted. You can't form
one and conduct It successfully" he said
10 Gordon w. wattles.
I'm sorry TO differ with you. SIR" Mr.
wattles replied but I do on all points
OF your proposition. A grain market II
needed here. II Is wanted. and It car
be formed and conducted SUCCESSFULLY"
The history OF the exchange leaves nc
doubt as TO which OF the two men wal
right.
III the Omaha Grain exchange will
continue TO walk straight along the path
Il has been following since It has beer
organised. continued and greater SUGGEST
must Inevitably attend it's progress" Mr.
Wattles said on the day OF opening tn,
new building. To-day Il has reputa.
tion for an honest inspection department
that is second 70 none IN the entire coun
try. When the Omaha Grain exchang,
says car of wheat Is No. / northern
there is no question about Il In the en-
tire country.
Reputation is High.
"our reputation IL equally high for fat
dealing and our standing with banks an,
bankers IL one that any organisation
may well envy.
II believe the gran exchange n tn
greatest thing that has como 10 Omaha
II has added millions upon millions o
dollars TO the price OF wheat 70 Nebraski
farmers. Some people do not realize this
but II Is a mere question Of mathematici
and can bo readily figured out. ~
The exchange had a hard tams Of 1
at first There was strong opposition
The old system Of corners and efforts o
sonie dealers 70 get the better cf other
worked 10 the detriment OF the exohang
ana of business That system had 70 b
discarded and Il has been. There n n
doubt that this exchange will be ons O
the two most lnportant In the eo,tnfrx,