Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-02-07

North Dakota Senator in
Letter to Herald Declares
Efforts Are Being Made
to Brighten Owners Into
Selling Wheat at Once.
2 In letter received today by The
Grand Forks Herald from Senator A.
j. Gronna, the senator charges that
Julius Barnes, federal grain director,
Is hostile to the interests Of the farm
er, and urges farmers and local ele-
vator men to hold their grain.
+. February 3. 1890.
The Grand Forks Herald,
Grand Forks, N. Oak.
Dear Sir:
For the first time during my official
career undertake to make sug-
gestion to, the farmers and elevator
men Of my state with reference to the
sale Of wheat and rye.
From a careful study Of the condi-
ton throughout the world, feel that
IL WOulU UC q mistake 1Or the IaEIn-
ers and the local elevator men to rush
their grain to the terminal markets
at this time. I fear that an organized
effort is being made through COM
bination Of interests for raid upon
the unsold wheat and rye in the local
elevators, and what remains upon the
farms. No sound reason can be given
why prices should decline now. as
there is a world shortage of wheat.
Fl. Claims Prices Low.
u am just causing to be printed the
hearings before the committee on ag-
riculture and forestry containing a
statement Of Julius III. Barnes, the
federal grain director. together with
a lot Of data showing the worlds pro-
duction, the expectation and importa-
ton of the various countries. and
also the prices in some Of the leading
countries in Europe. Mr.. Barnes adj
mits in his testimony that he has
made every effort to keep the prices
Of wheat down. have therefore pre-
pared a bill which I introduced to-
March 4. 1919. which provides for the
appropriation of billion dollars and
the appointment of grain director.
This bill was referred to the commit
tee on agriculture. and forestry, and
will have immediate consideration.
Hostile to Farmers?
1t Is my belief that. the grain direc-
tor, together with the food commits
sioner, have at all times worked
against the best interests Of the farm
er. and for that reason want to get
I, away from any further government
interference with the farmers pro-
ducts. n
7 fully realize that the average
farmer has disposed Of most Of the
wheat he had to sell, but I trust that
there still remains considerable
wheat and rye upon the farms, and II
| my assumption is correct, feel that
the farmer, ought to receive what Ills
grain % actually worth. becaliae
| ments EG4nclea. the prices to the e.farTn.
Ter during last 1aafS 'Were vefvS Slo1s w
know that an embargo was placed
upon wheat, and every bushel sold to
foreign countries would have to 60
through the hands Of Mr.. Barnes. He
\ was the absolute dictator, and he was
naturally, in position to- hold prices
down.
MistakH to- Sell,
| / feel 1t would be .. mistake for the
farmers to sell what little wheat the,
NAV have left at a time when prop.
aeanda il being carried on for the
nnrnosa IF soaring moi. onlv the farm.
ers:s but the focal elevator' men. ant
making them believe that ON the firs
day Of June. when the federal whea,
guarantee law expires by Limitation
Drices must necessarilv dron. Thert
is no reason why prices shoIiid drop
In the first place the acreage sow1
| to winter wheat and = rye has bee,
greatly redncede The % ame may han
nen with reference to the snrin,
! wheat crop. And Europe ia not in :