The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-12-08
IDAHO ASKS RELIEF
FOR HAY GROWERS
WITH SURPLUS OF A MILLION
TONS OF HAY AND NO MAR
KET RUIN is FACED.

| Boise-Unless relief is given by the
railroads which have advanced freight
rates on hay to a prohibitive figure,
many south Idaho farmers will be fl
nancially crippled and the biggest hay
crop In the history of the state will be
| held over for another year What
with the quarantine against Idaho hay
established by number of states, the
mild winter which has reduced the
local demand for hay to feed Idaho
stock and the increased freight rates,
conditions are indeed critical.
Governor Davis has appealed to
both the interstate commerce commits
sion and the Union Pacific railroad
officials for relief. Both have prom
ised to investigate conditions, but at
the rate these bodies move it is feared
that another crop of hay will have
been grown before any decision is
reached
The former rate on hay from south
ern Idaho to Missouri river points
where there is said to be a market for
Idaho hay if it could be shipped there,
was $3.50 per ton The railroads
raised this to $3.50, an increase of
$64O per ton which makes the rate
prohibitive 1t is claimed that if the
farmers shipped their hay to these
points at the rate now charged they
would receive but 10 cents ton for
their hay, after paying all expenses
and the most optimistic farmer does
not believe hay can be produced on
irrigated land for 10 cents ton.
Governor Davis Asks Relief
Governor Davis sent the following
telegram to the interstate commerce |
GIN excess of home demand, Idaho
1as 100000 tons of hay for eastern
shipment. Present freight rate Kan
,as City $3.50 per ton, cost baling
md carriage, 81 per ton Kansas City
market $23 per ton. New rate tends
@ decrease revenue of railroads, as it
loses all markets to our growers and
shipments Would seem i'm
that the old rates of 1918 be
estored Quick action necessary"
To this the interstate commerce
commission answered that if the ex-
ess rate does decrease the railroads
evenue by prohibiting the movement
f hay the carriers self-interest would {
eem to prompt revision. Governor {
)avis was assured that the matter {
7oufd be brought before the various '
arriers interested and it was suggest
d that he pursue the same course. +
he governor had previously wired h
resident Calvin of the Union Pacific, +
s follows: f
"Present freight rates on hay from !"
laho to Missouri points are $3.50. n
Till probably prohibit shipment of t
OF less than 100000 tons Of this $
,ason's crop. This will not only tend Z
defeat the purpose of the increased e
ties but greatly retard one of the n
aiding industries in a district served D
by your company. Can you
ot urge a restoration of the 1913
Ltes," :,
The following reply was received = =
ON the head Of the Union Pacific:
s'Yours November 20. Will take up
lestion rates on hay haul and see if
lything can be done. E. c. Calvin"
Relief is hoped for, but not assured.
Idaho must wait for the Union
acific and the interstate commerce
mmission to act on question of
owing this years hay crop it is apt
be hard winter, unless the urgen-
of the situation can be sufficiently
1phasized from all quarters Of the
ate.
Commissioner Cannon says the
arket at Missouri river points seem
be firm at $23.50 If the old freight
te is established $3.50 per ton
overs will realize net increase per
4 of $6.40. At the present time un-
r prevailing rates profit of only
out 10 cents ton is possible and
is possible that out of this a COM
ssion charge would have to be met.