East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-05-16
PREFERENCE FOR NATIONAL
CONTRACT
Continued from page ~

(LOntlnueu lToH page ~
determined whether the product offer
ed ny the Standard Oil Co. proves of
sufficiently high quality to meet local
requirements. The report of the com
mittee was unanimously accepted on
both recommendations.
Wheat Cost Survey
The opportunity to have men from
the department of agriculture come to
the county and make a survey and
gather figures on the cost of producing
wheat is offered during this season,
Mr.. BenniOn said in his report. Later,
in his talk Mr.. Burdick declared that
such a move is very desirable. In the
future. he declared, wheat probably
will he sold with the cost of produc-
ton as the determining factor of the
price it will command. TO get every
bit of information possible about the
cost of producing wheat is one OF the
most vital necessities of the farmer
according to tho belief expressed by
Mr. Burdick.
He also urged Umatilla county
grain growers to make some kind of
agreement with the state organization
il possible, so the wheat from this sec.
ton, and the experienced grain men
who farm here, will both assist the
cooperative movement. Under the
agreement that now exists, the four
Northwest states, Washington, oregon,
Idaho and Montana arein Zone !, and
the national organization has agreed
not to come into this territory with
contracts before January /, 1924. This
agreement will ncccssitate joining Of
the Oregon association by the local
men, or they must retain the present
system Of marketing. Another alter
native suggested is that they join the
state association and try the 100 per
cent pool for one year and then submit
the question Of whether the sale on
consignment and direct sale plans
could be incorporated in the contract
to referendum vote of all wheat
growers in the state.
Should Handle Own Grain
Urging the necessity of farmers
handling their own wheat and cutting
out the profit that Is made by spccu-
lators Mr.. Burdick called attention to
the fact that while Chicago received
10000, 900 bushels of wheat last year.
bills of sale show that 1900, 900, 900 |
bushels were bought and sold, for |
which operators secured from one |
eighth to one-fourth of a cent every |
time sale was made.
THAT means that wheat cost the |
consumer about 2j cents bushcl |
moree than it should, and that the |
farmer was robbed" the speaker de-
rlared. He also called attention to the
fact that of the 500, 900, 900 bushels
grown normally in the United States,
only $50, 900. 900 * exported, but the
price Of this export wheat Is determn.
I'd by fhe Liverpool market which In
urn determines the price Of wheat
lere In America. 1t would be better
o throw the export on the market al
loss. he declared II farmers could
,rganizc and secure a price for wheat
{ home based on the cost of prOduc-
ion. rather than to permit foreign
market to decide the price Of the total
rop.
V. II. Smith, secretary OF
he Oregon state association reported
hat the membership of the state or
a nization IL 1000 and that a little
sss than 1000 900 bushels have been
ontracted for. He is from Wasco
ounty and is also on the board OF d.
ectors OF the oregon association.