The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-10-22
SAYS n. D. MILL
FAILS TO LIVE
UP TO PROMISE
Project at Grand Forks Has
Not Worked Out as Expect
ed, Halv0rson Says
TWO YEARS MORE TRIAL
independent Candidate, at
Speech, Saws He Would
Give Ii This Time


North Dakota are not using the TER
minal elevators at Grand Forks, ana
the mill is working under Il trtmeh-
uous handicap in attempting to com
pete with the mills at Buffalo, n. Y.
declared Halvor l.. Ilalvorson, IN an
address here last night in which he
discussed the mill and elevator SIT
uution IN detail and at length.
"The mill and elevator are not
working out as promised by their
original sponsors" said Mr.. Halvor-
son, who reiterated the pledge OF
the independent candidates to give
the m.ll and elevator thorough
business tryout for two years more
and then submit the question as TO
their future to the people Of North
Dakota.
The elevators were to provide
storage for farmers grain, but none
e the farmers care to use these ele-
vators,' he continued. "They can
sec no benefit in paying three cents
bushel additional for unloading
and reloadlng and storage there en-
route to market with their gram.
Stored Grain Small
"The amount Of grain stored by
citizens Of this state is so small
that it is hardly worth mentioning
and has been added expense instead
OF beneficial for those who made Il
stop there.
"The emergency feature, of having
place to ship grain, enough capac-
ity for say even million bushels
would not avail us much with crop
running we'll over the hundred mil
lion bushel mark, average years.
at all evetns this state owned
terminal elevator, mot built at a
terminal market) has stood for two
years without being used by our
farmers as place to store their
grain.
WAS it mistake to build it? Has
il proved the claims of the leaguers
Mind you the taxpayers are
carrying million dollar load of ac-
c,uing interest because of this err
ror in judgment.
"Then there is the mill located at
Grand Forks, with a capacity beyond
Tie states natural trade to con-
sumo, built at this point after even
Minneapolis had lost it's supremacy
as milling center to Buffalo N
y. with nothing available but pre-
MUM wheat for its grind, and with
SO cents a barrel adverse differen-
t!al as against the Buffalo mills
VIXEN it tries to reach the eastern
markets And with Niagara power
rates to compete with, is that work
ing out as we were promised?
Buffalo Competition
even the old established mills at
Minneapolis We're unable to operate
more than SO per cent capacity dur
ing the last two years, because But
falo With its cheaper, with tho A0f'
wheat from the southwest, mixing &
little northern grown spring wheat
are able to under sell them.
"The transportation question il
also more favorable to Buffalo, sit
uated in the heart of the flour con
Stunning territory, IN that whea
carries lower rate per hundred
than does flour The difference
amounts to nearly so cents per bar
rel of flour.
& This is because of barge ship
ments of raw wheat on the grea
lakes at a rate as low at times a:
2 1-2 cents per hundred.
"These are handicaps under which
4 your mill operates because it is no
: located at the best point economical
ly, from the standpoint Of milling
( for profit to supply foreign ant
! eastern trade. This was a mistak,
of judgment Of the men who locate,
this diversified mill at Grand Forks
"The flour sold in the natura
y trade territory of Grand Forks show:
g profit, but the excess over tina
need is sold at a loss.
when the suggestion to close thu
mill comes, one is confronted will
{ the fact that to close it would no
I cure the loss. If the mill were
& closed there would be depreciation
s. charge Of at least 5 per cent pc
A year or more than 100000 and thu
II interest On the bonds sold to built
y the institution amounts to 1929 ,0O'
4 per year.
b you would lose over 81 900 PEI
+ day therefore if you closed the in
y stitution.
Il Indirect losses brought about b,
y the fact that small mills are benz,
y, driven cut of the state is hard t.
4 tao assure. At jamestown farmer
4 told me that he was losing cent!
y q bushel on his crop this year be
& cruise the mill at that city had beef
B closed. The price there is six cent:
Z bushel less this year than it ha:
been in previous years, compared tt
y Fac regular market price. because
4 Of the loss o. the competition of the