Evening star., 1924-03-10
TARIFF ON WHEAT
ONLY PARTIAL AID
Presidents Action Still
Leaves Keen Competition
With Canadian Growers.
BY J. c. ROYLE.
Special Dispa tch to The Star.

NEW YORK, March 10.-Wheat
growers throughout the north and
west undoubtedly have been greatly
encouraged by the action of Presi-
dent Coolidge in advancing the tariff
on wheat 12 cents a bushel. They
feel that this action under the f1exi-
BILE provisions of the tariff has re-
lieved them of the fear of flood of
Canadian wheat into the United
States. However, neither the growers
nor the bankers and business men of
the wheat-growing communities feel
that the presidential action, which
becomes effective in April, will serve
to solve all the difficulties which face
them.
The United States, they point out,
grew far more wheat in 1923 than
this country alone can hope to con-
sumo this year. The new tariff i'm
post of AZ cents a bushel will keep
the more cheaply produced Canadian
product out of domestic markets,
but it will not obviate the competi-
tion Of the Canadian grower in the
foreign trade. In fact, any increase
in the price of American wheat will
but serve to widen the margin by
which Canadian growers can sell
TO Europe and the orient.
Competition Not Lessened.
effect this margin will be still fur
ther increased by the advantage of
freight rates. Canadian shippers,
when navigation opens on the great
Fort William and Port Arthur to Mon
treal cheaper than the American ship
pers of the northwest can transport
their grain from Duluth to New York.
rail and water power route.
The Canadian law, which provides
that all vessels loading grain at Fort
William and Port Arthur shall pub
lish their rates and the terms of their
charters, and which kept American
owned vessels out of the Canadian
grain trade last year, still is in effect
But the terminal facilities, lack of
which caused delay in Montreal for
shippers in 1928. have been improved
and that port probably will be in po-
sition to handle a tremendous ouan-
tity of wheat this spring.
Canada Has Equal Chance.
The Canadian growers at least have
equal shipping facilities with the
American farmer on the Pacific coast
and an even chance to capture the
trade to the orient, which has be-
come a world factor in the last few
years. Finally. financiers seem in
elined to the belief. that the recent
ernment by some of the other Eu-
ropean nations will result in a re-
viva1 of the wheat trade with Rus
sia through the Baltic and Black sea
ports
The foreign sale of American flour,
1T is predicted by some wheat men.
VIII be even more affected than raw
wheat The new rates will increase
dnfiaC ha II,o;& u
States at $1.04 a hundred pounds.
This, it is asserted, will increase the
price of -four in this country. Mills
throughout the United States, how
and millers do not see how an in
crease in the prices of flour will
serve to increase consumption.
Feed Figures Indefinite.
The amount of wheat which will be
used in the form of stock feed still
this is decided factor in the wheat
growers situation. The ranges, with
the exception of those in parts of
California, have been in excellent
many sections have come through
without the necessity for heavy pur-
chases of fodder by growers. Then,
too, it is to be noted that the new
of SO per cent in the rates on mill
feeds. However, the high price
which has obtained for corn for many
months undoubtedly has turned many
feeders toward wheat in preparing
their animals for market
A number of other industries are
awaiting the effects of the President's s
tariff proclamation with deep anxiety.
They feel that Canada will not be in
clined to sit passive in the face of
this action and that some retaliatory
measures may be expected. The most
likely of these, it is believed, may
deal with paper and pulp woods.
Canada May Take Action.
The demand for news print bids
fair to continue undiminished, espe-
cially in view of the volume of ad-
vertising now being placed and in
prospect in this country. The price
at which most large publishers filled
their requirements for the first quar-
ter was fairly advantageous in view
of the general level for some time
back, but any disruption of produc-
tion of news print would be most un-
welcome to them.
Canada already has on her statute
books regulations regarding the ex-
port of pulp and pulp wood, which
have been vigorously opposed by
American publishers These have
never been put into strict operation,
but held in abeyanee pending further
investigation and discussion. How
ever, no further legislative action
would be necessary to make them
effective at once should the dominion
decide to take such action in retail
alton for the advance in the American