The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-06-07
BY H. G. LYKKEN,
Consulting Engineer
State Mill and Elevator


State Mill and Elevator
The production Of wheat is wide
ly distributed in the United States
and the production exceeds the do
mestic demand. As consequence,
the price is fixed by competition
with all the wheat producing coun-
tries in the world, most of which
have considerable advantage in
\ transportation costs. The bulk of the
wheat raised in this country differs
neither in quality nor value from
that raised in the great wheat pro-
ducing countries, and commands no
greater price.
There is Il striking exception, how
ever, namely the northern spring
wheat raised in the limited area of
. North Dakota, parts of Montana ANA
few counties of Minnesota and
South Dakota. This wheat, due to
the quantity and quality of its glu-
ten content IAN element essential for
yeast bread making flour has, ever
since the milling of patent" f!our
began, commanded special price.
This price has varied from few
percent to as high as thirty per-
cent above other wheat of the same
grade, depending upon the gluten
content. The gluten quality of this
wheat is absolutely essential in the
production of flour used in yeast
bread making. The quality and
value of flour is. determined by this
on, element. 1t forms The very basis
OF the flour milling industry. in This
country.
For the domestic trade the north
ern spring wheat from this limited
area is used as a mixture with other
wheats to bring up the quality and
quantity of gluten required for
standard flour. Very few mills
grind 100 per cent spring wheat due
to the highest cost and value for
mixing.
For the fore gn trade the present
tariff laws permit the American
mills to buy the northern spring
wheat required for milling from
Canada. There is in other words not
nearly enough northern spring
wheat in. the United States to sup
ply the gluten for good flour, re-
sultlng in a marked depreciation, in
tho gluten content and gluten quail
ity Of the average flour in the past
few years.
Growers Have Monopoly
The producers of northern spring
wheat in the United States have an
absolute monopoly if they but APP
preciated it, and need not be affect
ed in the least by the world wheat
prices.
In order to maintain even their
present flour standard the millers
must buy this wheat and use mix
ture Of from thirty to forty per
cent with sixty or seventy percent
Of cheaper starchy wheat.
If the producers were ogranized
and specified any price within rea-
son, based on gluten quality, that
price would be paid. 1t is pre-sup-
posed, of course, that tariff protec-
ton would prevent competition from
Canadian wheat for mixing Of do
nestle supply.
is no possibility of over production
in the limited area in which gluten
will grow. AS the population Of the
country increases, the monopoly be- |
comes more and more absolute and
the possibility Of higher premiums
greater.
There are many kinds Of tobacco
raised in the United States, but
mere is only one place where the
Burley will grow and the Burley as
ISOLATION Of Kentucky and Tennessee
gets its own price regardless of what
other tobacos may sell at. The |
yeast bread making gluten grows
only in limited area and its price
can be what the growers will ask.
Can Go A Step Further
The northern spring wheat grow
ers can 60 step further. They
can fix higher standard of flour,
IL or IL IL per cent gluten flour
in place of II to II IL per cent OF |
the new sO-called standard, requir-
ing q stronger spring wheat mix.
The North Dakota state mill |
grinds IL 1-2 per cent flour oper-
ating at full capacity night and day,
including Sundays. Yet this mill |
fails to keep up with its demand
when bigger mills are complaining
of their small volume Of business.
An all spring wheat flour is in de-
mand. j.
An all spring wheat flour is as
distinctive a product as compared
with the wartime product. 1t will
carry premium price. It makes
great deal more bread per barrel,
and bread Of vastly superior tex
tpre, quality and appearance.
But the point we are trying to
make here is the possibility Of es-
tablishing the fixed higher premium
that the northern spring wheat is
entitled to and which it can demand.