The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-09-17
CLOCC|NG OF GRAIN
TERMINALS Is Due
TOCRA|NS STANDARDS
Reduction in Export Demand
Blamed; No Storage Because
the Crop Failed to Move
EUROPE SHUNS U. S. GRAIN
Grain Men Load Export Grain
in This Country With All
Its impurities

Belief that the relatively low grain
standards of the United States are re-
sponsihle for the clogging Of United
States grain terminals was expressed
today by G. w. Mcdonnell. chairman
Of the state railroad board. in q let
ter to Senator Lynn J. Frazier.
Reviewing conditions which have
affected the grain marketing situation
this year, Mcdonnell said reduction
in export demand appears to be re.
~srcnsible, since, II the grain had
moved on q normal basis. there would
now be enough storage space to care
for the new crop.
He blames the low grain standards
for the falling off In demand for
United States grain. saying he has
been told by men who are in q po-
sition to know" that Europe looks with
disfavor on grain from this country
because Canadian grades are on a
much higher basis than ours. and it
has been charged that grain In
this country load export grain with
all the impurities 1t will carry and
set by our grades"
He has been informed, Mcdonnell
said. that q carload Of wheat with too
much inSeparable seed may be mixed
with a carload containing too many
starchy kernels and IN containing
too much rye or other grain, and the
three carloads sold as No. l, whereas
none Of the three would have rated
No. / as received.
II am not personally charging that
this is done, but there is some reason
for the preference of European buyers
for grain from other countries" Nc
Donnell said. when the reason for
this preference is found We will know
Why the farmer at Beach. N. D, call
not find elevator storage for his grain
and why. If he sells it. he must accept
. price far below the future price,"
In l928-29. Mcdonnell said, exports
Of grain from Canada increased Il
per cent, from Argentine Is per cent,
and from Australia 70 per cent, as
compared with 1929. During the
same period exports from the United
States decreased SO per cent.
Pointing out that the visible sup
ply of wheat has been unusually
large throughout the year because Of
the unusually large crop harvested
throughout the world III 1929. Nc
Donnell said that elevators at all the
primary markets. including Duluth
Superior and Minneapolis and Buf-
falo, were from 10 to 90 per cent full.
Failure Of the export demand, coupled
with the rush Of grein to northwest.
ern terminals after the southwestern
markets became cloggcd and before
the northwest crop came on the mar
ket. has caused the congestion, Nc
Dcnnell said.
He said: There is not the shadow
Of a doubt that congestion. as re.
ported, actually exists. and I believe
the grain men r beating down the
rrice OF cash grain on account Of the
congestion. It hardly seems probable,
though, that the congestion wa DELHI
erately brought about, in view Of the
fact that all terminals In the country
ere full. There is no way to keep
Kansas and Nebraska grain out OF
Minneapolis and Duluth terminals,
Il more than there Is to keep our
American grain.' which comprises a
large part in store at Montreal, from
going there"