Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-19
SKINNER RAVORS
FIXING WHEAT PRICE
Head of Macaroni Factory
Says Other Action Playing
Into Hands Of Spec
ulators.
BY PAUL F. SKINNER.
president Skinner Mig. CO..


fed by present or prospective short
age in supply, the government made
serious mistake in not taking over
the supply when wheat passed the
$l.S0 per bushel price,
By allowing manipulation to bring
prices where they are today, the gov
eminent has absolutely played into
the hands OF SPECTATORS and has made
the public suffer. only SPECTATORS
have prohted.
Not one farmer in thousand who
raised wheat last year or the year be-
fore, even considering present high
prices. actually received more than
30 a bushel for his crop, Wheat is
a profitable crop at ST a bushel and as
few farmers are gamblers practically
all sold when wheat went to Sl,S0 a
bushel.
High priced wheat means, of course,
lligh-priced -four, mscaroni and the
rany other food products manutac-
tured from wheat.
Heavy Sales Result.
Heavy sales always result from ris-
ing prices. When the public see prices
advance they buy for the future. In so
buying the consumers make business
good for the manufacturer, whole
saler and retailer, but at the same
time they play into the hands of the
Spectators who are only interested
in seeing prices mount higher and
higher.
If the government would at once
put price on wheat of 100 a bushel
it would stop boarding of food prod
ucts. This price would give more
than. a liberal profit to the farmer who
raises the wheat, in fact, give him
about 90 cents a bushcl more than
he as a rule expects, and the only
harm that would be done, if it can be
called harm, would be to the specu-
lator who devotes his energies to
souging the public.
Such move on the part of the gov
eminent should have the entire sup.
port of every manufacturer who in
any way uses wheat and also the
support of every wholesaler and re-
taller of a food product containing
wheat.
1t is true that the manufacturer,
wholesaler and retailer would find
sales curtailed temporarily. However,
on goods sold they would make the
same profit they are making today
and would have the satisfaction OF
knowing that the consumer would be
getting square and honest treatment.
Prompt Action Needed.
Prompt action on the part Of the
government to set the price of wheat
at $l.oO bushel or lower, is to the
interest of every business man ant
every individual in the United States
with the exception Of those who are
specializing in wheat.
We believe it is to the interest O
every wholesaler, every manufacture
and every publisher to see that thu
public is protected by this condition
being rightcd at once. If present con
ditions can be given the proper pub
licity action will be taken.
No one seems to be positive jus
what is the present supply of whea
in this country. If there is an actua
shortage, conditions will continue tc
80 from bad to worse, and by delay
ing action only Spectators will prof
while in the end those who are we'll
to-do will have an over supply o.
wheat products while the middl,
classes will be unable to purchase a
all. Certainly such condition de
mands drastic treatment.
Large Users Of Durum.
The Skinner Manufacturing com
pany operates the largest nacaron
factory in America, and, we believe
is the largest user of pure Durur1
wheat flour in this country. We ar,
at all times in close touch with al
large millers and our trade letters L
wholesale grocers for the past yea
will show that we have continual,
from thirty to sixty days in advance
predicted the market accurately. How
ever, we have earnestly hoped tina
wheat manipulators would not hav'
the nerve to put the price where it il
today and we have felt that withou
any prodding on the part Of the pub
lie that even before present price,
were reached the government woult
take drastic action and put thu
price of wheat around $l.60 per bush
el, where it should be.
Personally, we do not believe tina
there is an actual shortage.
| When the great crash comes, which
the present conditions are sure tt
bring, it is doubtful If the farme
would get $3.50 from his wheat OF
the fall market. So If the government
would place a price Of SLIGO bushe
on wheat it would not only stoI
manipulation and make It a cas-