The sun., 1918-07-06
PRICE AGITATION
HOLDS WHEAT BACK
Farmers Keep Grain in Carriers
Awaiting Action Of
Congress.
REPORT LABOR SCARCITY
Persons Taking Vacations Are
Urged to Assist in Har-
vesting Crops.
REPORT LABOR SCARCITY

MIlers and Food Administration on
.,sl. have intimated and voiced the COM
,,,,nt that farmers are not selling their
,ir,er wheat as fast as possible, and 1t
:, contended that the continued agitation
:, Congress for a higher basis for wheat
d, r,.ponslble for this The hope among
,heat growers that something will be
done 10 further increase their remunera-
linn for wheat unquestionably operates
IN hold down the farm movement. but
there remains another potent factor. 1t
(, the shortage OF labor and the conse-
ou.nt delay In harvesting. threshing and
moving grains. The situation would
have been decidedly more serious to this
stage were it not for jhe perfect weather
conditions which have prevailed since
the beginning of the wheat cutting work
and which have permitted of labor al
most continuously from early morning
until well into the night.
The latest reports are that more than
$4,000 men will be needed in Illinois and
some of the adjacent States for the crops
this season.
The oats harvest is now following the
wheat gathering. with the various minor
,rops TO be cared for and the corn
harvest to come at the end of the sum-
rner through the fall season. influential
farming interests have advised officials
oi the Chicago Board OF Trade and
ether organizations that difficulties are
being experienced in handling the wheat
as II should be. 1t is being urged that
vacations be spent In doing farm work,
and the Farm Labor Administration OF
Illinois has a bureau where registrations
ian be made. satisfactory lodgings and
nay are given TO workers who will be
systematically distributed to points
where the need for help Is most urgent,
Some new wheat sold at New York
yesterday at s2.37 and seas for No. .
red, which is l. to / l,c. over the Gov
eminent basis, and at the Southwest
the premiums average close to SC. r
bushel. These premiums reflect the lack
Of free movement of new wheat not
any fear Of a shortage and in the mean
time supplies of wheat and flour through
out our country and in our allies are
rot being replenished as rapidly as had
been expected.
CHICAGO, July 5.--Oats took the lead
In speculative activity to-day. owing
to strength at Winnipeg. and forced
an advance here in corn. The oats mar
ket closed firm, l to rs net higher.
with August III, a ~ to 7ls,. Corn
gained ~ to II. net and finished UNI
settled, with August 154 to l54h, and
September .155t, to 155&. The out
come in provisions was a rise of "a 10
10 30 cents
Dry weather reports from the Cana =
dian Northwest dominated the oats
market and more than Offset favorable
weather conditions on this side on the
International line. The fact that
rouses with Northwestern connections
we're active buyers tended to empha-
size assertions that the Canadian crop
rad begun to show to a material ex-
tent the effects of lack of moisture. In
this connection renewed notice was
taken of recent vessel charters to carry
100000 bushels of oats from Chicago
- ports on the Georgian Bay Another
fulliSh factor was gossip current that
The Canadian Government price for
wheat would soon be raised to so.26. a
Jump Of cents a bushe
Good crop prospects made corn drag
but persistent buying that resulted from
cats strength finally absorbed the en-
tire surplus offerings. Eastern ship
Ping demand was again in evidence.
WHFAT-New crop wheat IL not NOV
ins with az much freedom as expected. and
2 continues 20 be evident that farmers are
adding hack IN the hope OF the 81. bill
passing Congress Until this is settled the
movement Will continue moderate. Loca
fra'n men declare that the bill will be dis
posed Of IN the near future and that there
very ltile prospect OF the price beinr
changed from that recently decided upor
y, The Food Administrs ton.
Kansas City l. getting little NOR,
wheat and Yesterday reported 2ss cars
most ~ which was new wheat The first
Ae o. neN wheat also occurred in New
York consisting OF No. . red, which sold
y 81 10 S23s delivered.
coRN-rhe strength In tn. corn marke'
vas surprise to the trade In view Of the
.Ice.,ent weather which prevailed ovei
practically tho entire belt. The local cash
..arket was very inactive. but prices wer,
,heled No. yellow being quoted a
s3I. and No. 2 yellow at 3l.s3x cos
and freight New York.
0ATS-The local demand was yer,
an cn,., but op;tces were frmer; STANDARD
clipped white. s1a a4c.; ordinary clipped
Nh'H. s9i7 q 91c. all elevator.
RiE-Market easy. No. Western, N.7t
cos and freight New York.
BtRLEY--Market steady Feeding. 81 81
GnSoD mating. 3l.3Og1.3S cost and freigh
HAy-Mark.t steady. No. l. .lIOd
~. No. .. sI,3O8l,4O; No. 3, l9llO
Wheat. including rour. exports for tn
!:4,l5S bushels, against 3.5s7.Sif the pre-
rous week. and 5,409,l5s last year Corr
Exports for tho week, 45i,s33 against l97.
40 week ago. and 4so,sS last year.
CHICAGO PRICES.