Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-11-14

York has lost the supremacy as the
greatest grain exporting center of
North America and the world and
must now, take second place. The
CITY Of Montreal has stepped into the
first place and the present trend In
the exporting business indicates that
she will hold it.
This may be a matter of surprise to
most OF the people of this country
who have grow accustomed to the
idea that the United States has the
biggest and the most and the best
of everything, but 1t is none the less
true. New York interests realize it
and are beginning to study ways and
means Of; recovering the lost honor.
H. Tens.years ago New York exported
1900, 900 bushels of grain to Mon
treats $4,000, 600. In 1914 the Can
adam city passed New York for the
first time with 100000 to 61,oo0,-
900, but New York took a great jump
to the front the following year with
126, 0 900, while Montreal dropped
off 4 5000, 900. In 1916 New York at
tanned her maximum in grain exports
with a total of $4,000, 900 bushels;
Montreal did 70 millions that year.
The rivals maintained the same rela-
tive position the next ear, but then
Montreal began to forge ahead until
last year she handled a total Of $780,
000.00 bushels, While New York ex-
ported only 5000, 900. ~
The figures for 1922 are expected
to show an even greater predomin-
ance in. favor of Montreal.
Experts say that~this seizure of SUI
premacy in grain, was not the result
Of accident or Of couses that could
not have been corrected. Congestion
on the railroads leading to New York
or within the limits Of the port, to-
gether with the excellent facilities Of
fered at Montreal resulted in the phe-
nomchal growth Of the Canadian city.
Some of these factors are temporary,
but It 10 feared that others Of them
may be permanent.
In any event It Is certain that con-
ditions with respect to railroad trans
p%ortation have been worse this year
than they were last. which, will place
New York at a further disadvantage.
Railway cars and locomotives have
been in unusually bad condition as a
result Of the shopmen'sN strike. Ac-
cordipgly the railroads have not been
able to cope with the demands Incl
dent to a normal revival In business,
the usual fall increase in traffic ana
the movement of one Of the biggest
D ! d4utL II - A ISSOAUs s yASCu " lAAO
mining of coal was resumed that
product was given priority over grains
in shipping and undoubtedly MILL ons
Of bushels have been diverted to Mon
!treal that ordinarily would have gone
through the port Of New York.
May Use Barge Canal.
II New York. is to regain first place.
1t IL said, her only hope lies in great
err use of the State Barge Canal. This
waterway should be used to an extent
that would go far toward relieving
the rail congestion ana stimulating
the grain traffic through the port of
New York, but as yet the expecta-
ltions OF its advocates have not been
realized. With q capacity OF 10000
900 to 90, 090, 1000 tons yearly the trade
on the canal Is but q fraction OF that
volume. ALSO. as a result of difficult
tiles in rail transportation rates on ca
nal barges have been advanced until
rates, whereas they should be con-
sidefAbly lower.
The commercial victory which Mon
trehl has won In grain exporting 10 all
the more significant by reason Of the
fact that her port is closed by ice for
at least four months OF every year,
New York on the other hand has an
the advantage OF asfull twelye-rhonth
season. A. q still further handicap,
Insurance. rates up the st. Lawrence
ARE higher but Montreal is winning
In the race nevertheless.
As q Iriattsf OF fact, the Canadian
city Is making such strides that she
tnow ranks next to New York in vol
lulne and value OF general exports and
leads Boston. Phtisdelphia, Norfolk,
New Orleans, a T~rancisCO md 90.