The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-02-21
DRIVE FOR RISE
IN WHEAT PRICE
CAUSES ALARM
INCREASE REGARDED AS OUT
OF QUESTION, OFFICIALS
FEAR WAGE PROBLEM.
RURAL AGITATION IS STRONG
FARMERS CHARGE COST OF PRO
DUCT is FIXED, BUT NOT
ON GOOD PURCHASED.


Washington, Feb. 16. - The drive
being made by farmers in both the
winter and spring wheat belts for an
increase in the 1913 government price
guarantee of So q b'lshel has taken on
serious proportions and is giving the
administration much concern.
A higher price for wheat is regard
| ed out of the question. 1t would
serve as another opportunity to bring
up the wage problem, the argument
that the worker, in the face of in
creased cost of bread, in entitled to
more money. For this reason those
in authority here will insist on Con-
gress keeping it's hands off one of the
two or three commodities of which
| prices have been stabilized.
Sentiment Opposes Rise.
Sentiment in Congress now is
against increasing the price of wheat.
The agitation from the rural district
is becoming so strong, however, this
may be overcome by the time the
numerous bills introduced are con-
sidered by the agricultural commit
tees.
The flood of wheat price measures
introduced this week was unexpected.
And more are to come. The price
proposed vary from $3.50 to So BUSH
ell. An effort is being made by some
| of those urging an increase to get to-
gether on $3.50 OR SITS.
There seems to be little doubt the
present agitation is chargeable to
the governments failure to fix prices
on commodities purchased by the
farmers. The chief argument adj
vanced for increasing the price of
wheat is that the present arrange
ment is a one-sided affair, the farmer
being the victim of comparatively
low price in selling and a victim of
| high prices, when he buys.
Price Fixing Urged.
One way suggested for the admins
tration to head off the new swheat
price drive is to enact general price
fixing legislation. With definite prices
on the things he must buy it is be-
lieved the farmer will have little
ground for complaint.
In some quarters it was limited the
agitation for an increased wheat
price has, as its. real purpose, the
forcing of the Administrations hand
! on the subject of price fixing on all
necessities. Those holding this view
| said the specter of higher priced
bread likely would bring from it's hid
ing the desk of the chairman of the
| House committee on agriculture a
general price fixing measure sent to
the Capitol about a month ago by
certain officials.
Believe Problem Settled.
The Federal food administration
announced today it believes the
feedstuffs problem is settled. The
price of mill may charge for mill
wheat. Brokers' charges are limited
to Is cents a ton; commission agents
making the sale and collection to so
cents ton.
In regard to wholesale and jobbers
advances the announcement says:
"a shipment from mill or in tran
sit, payment cash, demand draft or
sight draft $1.00 per ton.
| Shipment from mill or in transit,
sale on arrival draft terms ask $3.50
per ton. Sale at jobbers' ware
house, payment cash, sight draft or
demand draft, $3.50 per ton.
Sale at jobber warehouse, on ar
rival draft terms, $500 per ton.
I'm making sales on credit not to
exceed $1.00 per ton may be added to
the margin which could be charged if
sold on arrival draft terms.
| Only One Profit.
"That wheat mill feed may go from
the miller to the retailer in as direct
a line as possible, only one profit on
sales within the trade is permitted. .
Wheat prices were discussed today
before the Senate agriculture commit
tee. John A. Simmons, president q
the Oklahoma Farmers union, urged
j $3.50 or $2.75, but added that if it is
the desire of the government to in
crease production greatly the price
should be around 81. C. H. Hyde Of
the Oklahoma council of defense in.
dorsed what Mr.. Simpson said.
NEW HOTEL AT ALEXANDRIA.
j The Alexandra" the modern new
! hotel of the enterprising city, was
j formally opened last week Tuesday tx