The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1917-02-01
SHIPPING OF WHEAT N
BULK LESS EXPENSIVE.
(By Burton II. Peck.)

There is a constantly growing
movement toward the shipping of
grain in bulk, rather than sacks and
the move originated with the grow
ers.
In attendance at the Northwest
Grain Conference, which convened at
Corvallis only this month, we're re-
presented the substantial grain pro-
ducers of Oregon, Washington, and
part of Idaho, some buyers, some
millers, exporters and the railroads.
1t was a unique body in that all
the different interests in the pro-
ducing and marketing of grain met
in common council and each gave
and discussed the subject from his
viewpoint.
The producers asserted that it was
an imposition to expect them to levy
and donate a suit of clothes (sack)
with each two bushels of grain mar
keted. Especially was this true
when it was found that the producer
was charged 35 cents per ton extra
for undressing this wheat, so that
it could be unloaded into elevators
at Eastern terminals. In other
words wheat for Eastern market is
| actually worth some two cents per
bushel more when loose in the car
than where sacked, and at some
terminals they would not accept
sacked grain at all. They are not
fixed to handle it and did not wish
to be bothered with it.
The buyers stated that they would
except grain either in bulk or sack
They did want clean product. Where
elevators are used, grain is reclean-
ed before being elevated and better
price is paid for such. Under the
sack system, the man with the clean
est grain really helps to pay for the
trash in poor lots, for prices are
quoted covering per cent Of dock
age for inert matter.
The millers object to smut and
fear that in general bulking, it will
be hard for them to classify the
wheat 1t was proven however that
wheat could be washed and dried
without damage, though smutty.
The process to be carried out at the
terminal elevators.
The millers use the best that they
can buy for -four. They already hold
their supplies in elevators, using the
sacks that have been given with the
wheat, to handle grist and mill feeds.
The remaining half being sold for
cash to producers. One firm ac-
they sold $50,0O0 worth
Of second hand sacks above their
own needs last year.
The exporters were afraid that the
wheat would heat if loaded in ships
in bulk although bulking had not
been tried from Portland for about
% years. AS wheat is now being
successfully shipped from Argentine
and New Zealand to Liverpool in
bulk, their fears seemed poorly
founded.
The railroads are willing and
pledge they will be ready to receive
grain anyway the producers wish to
, ship it. They assert they are in
better shape to handle grain in bulk
than the western terminals are to re-
ceive it. The Union Pacific System
has purchased 100000 new grain
doors at cost of $4,000. They
claim it takes an average of three
hours to prepare car and bulk load
it with grain and seven hours to sack
load it. And while they can use a
greater class of cars for sack wheat,
bulking is speedier both at the re-
ceiving station and terminal.
Speaking of terminals, four years
ago a delegation of growers asked
Portland to provide public elevators
for grain. They promised to think
about it. Seattle was asked at the
SAME time and responded with a
100000 elevator, which is being
enlarged and shutter washers and
driers provided.
Portland is losing. Mr.. Hegardt,
Engineer of the PortlandMCommis-
sion of public docks says Bulk
handling of grain is coming"
Portland to retain her place as
a terminal must get ready for it.
mo time to lose," says Drake c. o.
Reilly, one of the most. active COM
missioners of the Port of Portland,
81 agree with the others who have
said that Portland must act or be
witness to the humiliating spectacle
of Columbia Basin grain being ex-
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