The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-28
STATE MILL
IS MAKING
A PROFIT
Rec GO: L. On Completed and
Property Is a Going Con-
Germ, Says Sorlie
OVERHEAD is REDUCED
Industry Made $4,000 Profit
in Observation-Disclosures
Marketed Locally

Reorganization Of the state mill
and elevator practically has been COM
pletcd and the state property at
Grand Forks nov is Il going concern,
Gov. A. G.. Sorlie declared in a state
ment issued here today. Politics no
longer is 4 factor in the operation of
the property, the executive said. and
Il saving Of $4,000 Il year has been
effected in overhead expense. Dur
ing September the mill and elevator
made Il profit Of about $50 ZOO, the
statement Indicated.
The text of the statement follows {:
For many years progressive pco-
pie had a vision of Il mill and clcva-
tor for North Dakota. The idea was
used as 4 sort Of political football
for at least 20 years. Finally the
mill and elevator became 4 reality
when the structure was completed in
the fall OF 1922. Operation Of the
mill was begun and it continued OPP
Grating pretty much as political
project until 1925. This political OPP
Grafton of the mill was very unfor-
tunatc. During the session Of 1925
the Legislature turned the entire adj
ministration Of the mill and elevator
over to the governor. Prior to that
time the administration was handled
through the industrial commission
by board Of managers, and man
ager, making three distinct cham
nels of responsibility, which is nei-
ther good business nor an economical
way Of handling any project.
Overhead Is Reduced
Gas soon as was practicable after
the new law had been passed the or
ganization was revamped. The mill
and elevator is now operating at a
saving in overhead expense of about
$4,000 per year, and it is handling
more wheat and turning out more
flour than it did under the former
complicated program Of management.
"For the past 40 years or more the
people Of North Dakota have been
raising wheat-lct us call it manu-
featuring wheat. One of the first
steps in the establishment of man
ufacturing plant is to put in a labor
atory to test out the particular pro-
ducts manufactured, to analyZe the
value of the products in the way they
are intended to be used, how to mar
ket them to the best advantage, etc.
As a state manufacturing wheat
we now have laboratory in the
shape Of our mill and elevator. This
is the real purpose Of the mill and
elevator and it is on this basis that
it is working out so very satisfactor-
lily.
at takes time to reorganize any
business plant. However. in Septem-
Der this year the mill and elevator
shows a profit Of about $4,000 over
and above all expenses, including de-
probation and interest on the invest
ment.
Have Superior Product
eve are marketing all our products
locally, that is to say in North and
South Dakota, Minnesota and Wiscon-
sin. This is sound and healthy
method of distribution. We must
first sell ourselves on our product
and when we have accomplished that
we can then sell it to the other fell
low. We are not attempting to do
any exporting and none of our flour
is being handled through brokers in
New York.
"When our people learn that we
have superior product in our hard
spring NHeaI VIII q hiSn pIote'h az
ue, then the laboratory has served
wonderful and worthwhile purpose.
Our laboratory can do a geat deal
more than this; it can get our wheat
on the market at its real value on a
protein basis. The standard weight
for wheat is 60 pounds to the bushcl,
and it must test up to certain point
to make No. 1 Northern basis. When
our wheat is sold on protein basis
it will bring us bigger returns. Mill
ers have been buying wheat on a pro-
tein basis for many years, but we. the
manufacturers have been selling it
on a grade basis"