VOL. LIX XO. 18,729 Ztnc?l.USZltgri PORTLAND. OREGON, Fit ID A IT. DECEMBER 3,' 1920 - : ? PRICE FIVE CEXTS
- - ; i ; - j - - "
.
PORTLAND'S. RIGHTS
RICH COMMERCIAL
WASHINGTON SOLDIER
ITALIAN FLEET POKES
CABINET SHUNNED
HEAD WINDS BUFFET
E
FOR YEARS RESISTED!
GETS DIAMOND MEDAL
STATE'S MOST GALLANT WAR
HERO IS REWARDED.
FUN AT D'ANNUNZIO
WARSHIPS WITH GCXS SET MA
NEUVER AT FICJIE.
HARDING AND PARTY
TERRITORY IS WON
BYLODGEAND NEW
SENDS WHEAT -UP
BASIX RATE CASE BATTLE
IiOXG COSTLY OXE.
STEAMER PASTORES DELAYED
EX ROUTE TO XORFOLK.
PORTLAND HS
RATE ADVANTAGE
SHAG
RUMOR
-
'
- m
. 9
- I
Recognition Gained for
Down-Hill Haul.
1 0 PER CENT MARGIN FIXED
Seattle, Tacoma, Astoria,
Willapa Bay and Grays
Harbor Points Lose.
VANCOUVER ALSO BENEFITS
Differential Granted Is to Ap
ply to All Commodities,
Including Grain.
EFFECT OF" COLl'MBIA BASIN
RATE DECISION.
Tlelds to Portland richest
wheat-producing territory of
the Inland Empire..
Establishes a 90-cent rate for
Portland as contrasted with
haul to Seattle, Tacoma and As
toria. Ratifies the contention that
the Columbia river water grade
is most economical haul.
Creates a differential In
wheat rate, all other commodi
ties corresponding, of 2 cents
for each 100 pounds in favor of
Portland.
Adds Immeasurably to pres
tige and prosperity of Portland
as port and distributing center.
Makes certain that all export
grain shipments, as well as
other export commodities, will
roll down water grade to the
sea via Portland.
Ends decisively the discrimi
natory northwestern rates that
have throttled th commercial
development of Portland.
v-c
THE OREGONIAN NEWS BU
REAU, Washington, Dec. 2. Port
land is entitled to an advantage in
freight rates as the outlet for traf
fic from points in all that part of
the Columbia river basin lying south
of the Snake river, the interstate
commerce commission ruled tbday
in a decision upholding a tentative
report in the Portland rate case
made last January by its former
chief examiner, Henry Thurtell.
"The Portland advantage, held to
be a natural one, has been conceded
by the commission fixing a 10 per
cent differential in favor of that
city on all classes and commodities,
to be shared also by Vancouver,
Wash., as against Astoria, Seattle,
Tacoma and points on Grays Harbor
and Willapa bay.
Method Is Suggested.
In directing this change in the
rate structure, the commission sug
gests the method for doing it, tak
ing in consideration the fact that
only recently ' all rates were in
creased. The commission said: "In our
judgment a more important consid
eration bearing upon all the rates in
issue, both class and commodity, is
that since the argument of the case
they have all been increased. The
increases there authorized were in
tended to bring the revenues of the
carriers operating in the so-called
mountain Pacific group, including
defendants, to a level sufficient to
produce a net income in harmony
with the standards prescribed by
the transportation act of 1920.
Changes in Rates Advised.
."If the rates are made lower to
Portland from the territory south of
the Snake river than the rates from
the same territory to Puget sound,
the change will have a tendency to
increase the traffic and revenues of
the Columbia river lines and to de
crease the traffic and revenues of
the roads operating over the moun
tains to Puget sound.
"In view of this fact and of the
recent rate increases, it is reason
able that the difference of 10 per
cent between the rates in question
should be established by a decrease
of approximately 5 per cent in the
rates to and from Portland and by
an increase of approximately 5 per
cent in the rates to and from Seat
tle, Tacoma and Astoria, and where
necessary in the rates to and from
(Concluded on Page 0, Column 2.)
I
Aew Decision Giving City lis
Deserts Is Expected to Have
Telling Effect Here.
For years the Columbia basin rate
case has been a bone of contention
and the communities and railroads
which held an unfair advantage
fought strenuously to withhold Jus
tice from Portland. The main con
tention of Portland has been that it
was entitled to the advantages of
shorter distance and lower cost of
service on shipments from the in
land empire.
Persistently Portland representa
tives have attempted to break ' the
artificial rate structure, which was
built up by competing railroads to
end competition among themselves,
this railroad plan being the placing
on an equality ports which were not
equal in natural advantages.
Distance and cost as the just basis
of rates between the inland empire
and the coast was the contention of
the complainants, with the added ar
gument that blanket rates could not
fairly be applied to distances so short.
Four years ago Astoria achieved an
advantage over Portland when it won
a decision which awarded Astoria a
free 100-niile haul. Not only Astoria
but the cities on Puget sound under
took to wrest from Portland its nat
ural commercial supremacy.
When the Inland .Empire Grain
Shippers' association called on the in
terstate commerce commission for a
lower rate from the interior, the bat
tle against the artificial barriers
erected by the competing railroads,
and morally supported by Tacoma, Se
attle, Astoria and other communities,
was formally launched. '
There lined up in behalf of Port
land the commission of public docks
of Portland, the Portland Traffic and
Transportation association, the port
of Portland commission and the Port
land Chamber of Commerce. As Van
couver, Wash., was affected Identical
ly with Portland, its officials swurrg
into line and there came as Interven
ers the port of Vancouver, the city
of Vancouver, Clarke county, Wash
ington and the Vancouver Commer
cial club.
Along the Columbia river and in
the interior other towns Joined Kenne
wick and Pendleton came as inter
venors, sharing the viewpoint of the
Inland Empire Grain Shippers' asso
ciation. ' Spokane developed as a
neutral intervenor. The Oregon pub-i
lie service - commission, when it en
tered, presented an exhaustive brief
proving the advantages of the water
grade between the inland empire and
Portland, over the mountain haul to
Puget sound.
While Portland and its allies were
becoming aggressive, the Puget sound
communities were not asleep. Seattle,
Tacoma and Everett fought every
inch of the way. Puget sound was
supplemented in its arguments by the
public service commission ef the state
of Washington, which threw the
weight of its Influence to Puget sound
as against Vancouver and the towns
of the inland empire.
Astoria appeared as an intervenor
against the appeal of Portland, there
by casting its lot with Seattle, Ta
coma and Everett.
So important was the rate hearing
that three members of the interstate
commerce commission came to Port
land and began their hearings, July
21, 1919. The commissioners were
Henry Clay Hall. Winthrop M. Daniels
and J. B. Eastman. Henry Thurtell,
chief examiner, conducted the inquiry.
The commissioners were here until
July 30, when they adjourned to Se
attle to take testimony. The Inquiry
was concluded August 2.
In January, 1920, the report "of Mr.
Thurtell was made public. This wiped
out the case of the Inland Empire
Grain Shippers' association, as the
contention of the grain men was con
tained in the Portland rate case. For
the past 11 months Fugei sound and
Astoria have been hoping against
hope that the report of Mr. Thurtell
would not be sustained.
For years the parity of rates af
fecting ports on the Columbia and
Puget sound was based on the haul
of the Northern Pacific over the Cas
cade mountain range from the inland
empire to Puget sound. No consid
eration whatever was given to the
water route down the Columbia from
the interior. The haul over the moun
tains was long, arduous and costly,
but the railroads insisted- on main
taining the old rate, despite the easy
grade down the Colurnbia river. Every
pound of freight hauled into Seattle
or Tacoma had to be dragged from
2b00 to 3300 feet elevation and the
heaviest of locomotives were needed
to haul a few cars. The unjust rate
had been enjoyed for so many years
by Seattle and Tacoma that they came
to, consider it as an inalienable right.
The rate was very material in up
building Seattle and the 1916 decision
granting Astoria. 100 miles free haul,
has been of great benefit to that
community. .The new decision, giv
ing Portland its Just rate, will have
a telling effect.
KICK FOUND IN CHERRIES
Mincemeat Also Seized by Texas
Prohibition Agents.
HOUSTON, Tex., Dec. 2. In what
was said to be the opening of a nation-wide
campaign federal prohibi
tion agents here today seized vir-'
tually all of Houston's visible supply
of Christmas brandied cherries and
mince meat put up in glass Jars prior
to prohibition.
More than 400 jars of fruit were
seized from eight or ten retail gro
cery stores by agents- who asserted
that the fruit contained more than
one half of one per cent of alcohol.
Portland Adds Big 'Wheat
Area to District.
VICTORY IS IMPORTANT ONE
Inland Empire Is Affected by
Rate Decision.
JUSTICE LONG DELAYED
Place Belonging to City In Trade
Competition Is Captured
After Many Years.
Stock In Portland's progressive fu
ture, always at par, soared suddenly
yesterday with the announcement that
the interstate commerce commission
had rendered a favorable decision in
the Columbia basin rate case, thereby
establishing the preferential validity
of the water grade and adding rich
territory to the city's commercial
domain.
"The greatest uay to date for the
recognition of Portland and the prog
ress of the city and port," was the
compressed opinion of hundreds of
comments voiced when it became
known that the commission had in
dorsed in detail the report of Henry
Thurtell, chief examiner, made public
on January 8 and which declared for
a 10 per cent differential in favor
of Portland for the territory lying
south of the Snake river.
All Cliuti.ro Are Affered.
By the commission's ruling the new
rate, which is to be 90 per cent of the
Puget sound and Astoria rate, applies
to all class and commodity shipments
for the territory designated, and Is
shared by Vancouver, Wash. It is
held to be adequate though tardy
recognition of the natural advantages
possessed by Portland through the
Columbia water grade, and adds to
Portland territory an area of wheat
country producing in excess of 10.
000,000 bushels annually.
"I count this victory tne most Im
portant that Portland's champions
have won in many years," said Mayor
Baker. "It means that we have cap
tured our place in commercial com
petition, long denied to us, and that
our city is now equipped to force
ahead with . confident vigor."
Justice Held Only Partial.
Yet those who strove most stren
uously for the recognition of the
water grade, as against the mountain
haul to Seattle and Tacoma, while not
minimizing the importance of the de
cision, are Inclined to maintain that
(Concluded on Page 6, Column 1.)
............. ................. .................. ..............
AT LAST THEY SEE IT! j
........ sso.ss. .... ..,.. .4
Lieutenant Allworth . Presented
With Mark of Esteem for Hero
Ism During World Conflict.
OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec 2. (Special.)
Governor Hart today dispatched
formal letters conveying to Lieuten
ant Edward C. Allsworth of Clarke
county, the diamond medal dlslngulsh
ing Allworth as the Washington citizen-soldier
who performed the most
conspicuously gallant service in the
world war.
Lieutenant Allworth is now a lieu
tenant In the regular army at Camp
Gordon, Georgia. The medal will be
forwarded to him there from Wash
ington national guard headquarters
with the governor's letters, one of
which is to Major-General John L.
Hines, commander at Camp Gordon,
in which the governor asks General
Hines to present the medal to All
worth. In the other letter to Lieuten
ant Allworth, Governor Hart expressed
his hope that the recipient will al
ways wear the medal with- credit
to himself and honor to the state
whose people awarded the honor for
dauntless courage.
Award of the medal to Allworth
was made from a citation issued from
the war department by a national
guard board at Seattle. According, to
the official citation, Allworth, as cap
tain in the 60th infantry, led part of
his company in swimming the canal
at Clery-le-Petit, France, under fire
November 5, 1918, to support those
of his command who had already
crossed and were being roughly han
dled by the Germans. Rejoining his
command Allworth led an attack that
forced the Germans back, cleaned out
machine gun nests and captured 100
prisoners, which was more than his
own company numbered. This work
re-established the bridge head on the
canal and enabled the rest of the
American attack to advance without
further delay.
LIBERALS ARE RETURNED
Premier Oliver's - Government
Wins in Victory British Columbia.
VANCOUVER. B. C. Dec 2. The
liberal government of British Colum
bia, headed by John Oliver, premier,
has been returned to power with at
Jeast 24 of 47 seats in the provincial
legislature, returns today from yes
terday's election indicated.
Fifteen conservatives. . two inde
pendents, and four labor or social
members, were elected. Two seats re
main in doubt.
NOTES CLEVERLY RAISED
Coast Cities Warned Against Al
tered Paper Money.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 2. Cities of
the Pacific coast were .warned by
the United States secret service here
today to be on guard for altered fed
eral reserve notes which have been
issued by an unusually clever coun
terfeiter in the far east.
The notes have been raised from (X
and $2 to $50.
Poet's Little Group Seems Insig
nificant Soldiers Fire Rifles
From Shore-Line.
TRIESTE, Dec. 2. (By the Associ
ated Press.) The Italian fleet sta
tioned at Pola steamed up the Gulf
of Quarnero yesterday, maneuvered
in the bay before Flume, and then
slowly passed close to the mouth of
the harbor, as in review. The war
ships, with guns displayed, presented
a powerful appearance in contrast to
D'Annunzio's little fleet of one dread
naught, four destroyers and smaller
craft moored at the Flume wharves.
Some of D'Annunzio's soldiers on
the shore emptied their rifles at the
fleet, but no casualties resulted.
The cutting off of communications
with Flume by both - land and sea
were regarded as imminent.
The declaration of war by D'An
nunzio was not regarded in a serious
light by the military' commanders
here. There was warlike activity in
Flume, however, and the sound of
cannon, and . rifle . fire may be heard
along the Gulf of Quarnero.
Superior officers In D'Annunzio's
army continued to abandon the poet
soldier. The army was estimated to
number 4000.
FIVE PERISH IN FLAMES
Apartment House Reported to Be
AVithout Eire Escapes.
NEW TORIC Dec. 2. Identification
of the last of the five victims who
perished early today amid flames
that swept a five-story apartment
house in West Fifty-second street as
Betty Jones, wife of Bobby Jones, a
London dancer, was made tonight. The
other victims were: Dr. F. M. Potter,
veterinary of the New York Hippo
drome, trainer -of animals and an
owner of race horses; Mrs. Eva
Luscombe, English premier danseuse
and actress, the wife of Victor Lus
combe, an employe of Lloyd's. Lon
don; Mrs. Harold B. Reid, vocational
student of Goderich, Ont.; Mrs. Jessie
Jenkins of California, sister of Mrs,
Reid.
The police started an Investigation
after receiving reports that stairways
were missing; between certain floors
of the building and that there were
no fire escapes.
ARGENTINA MAY RESIGN
Withdrawal From League Held
Strong Probability. "
BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 2. (By the
Associated Press.) Withdrawal of
Argentina from the league of nations
was understood to; ight to be a strong
probability.
It was learned ...a government was
hourly expecting a cablegram from
Honorio Pueyrredon, foreign minister,
and Argentina's representative at the
assembly of the league; reporting his
decision on the question. It was be
lieved the basis of this country's
withdrawal would be the inability of
the Argentine delegation to obtain
the assembly's approval of its pro
posals at Geneva.
Solons Prefer to Serve
- Harding in Senate.
CHIEFS IN CAPITAL P0V-W0W
Framing Slate of Eligibles
for Posts Barred.
TARIFF REVISION TOPIC
Harry M. Daug-herty, Adviser to
President-Elect, to ConTcr
Wth Knox Today.
WASHINGTON. Cc. 2. (By the
Associated Press.) Elimination of
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts and
Senator New of Indiana, as prospec
tive members of President-elect
Harding's cabinet was reported to be
a definite development of the visit
here today of Harry M. Daugherty of
Ohio, friend and adviser of the president-elect.
Mr. Daugherty conferred with a
number of prominent republicans, in
cluding Senators Lodge and New.
There was no announcement of the
subjects or of the conferences, but
close friends said both senators had
advised Mr. Daugherty that they de
sired no cabinet preferment, believing
that they could perform better serv
ice for President Harding and their
party by remaining in the senate. .
Lodge lirnari Statement.
Mr. Lodge made publie a statement
urging that course on Senator New.
Friends of Senator Lodge said they
believed that his position regarding
Senator New applied with equal force
to himself.
Many matters , of legislation were
said to have been discussed by Mr.
Daugherty with his republican con
ferees. These include Senator Wat
son of Indiana, who will go to Phila
delphia tomorrow to confer with
Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania,
chairman of the senate finance com
mittee. The question whether partial tariff
revision to meet conditions regarded
as urgent should be attempted in the
coming congress, preliminary to gen
eral tariff revision planned after
President Harding's inauguration was
among subjects said to have been
discussed.
Slate Framing: Taboo.
Regarding cabinet appointments,
republican leaders who talked with
Mr. Daugherty said there was no
disposition by Mr. Daugherty or any
other republican leader to "frame
a slate" of cabinet eligibles for
President Harding.
Mr. Daugherty talked briefly with
Senator Knox of Pennsylvania, who
has been mentioned for secretary of
state, and planned a conference with
Senator Knox tomorrow before leav
ing for Norfolk to meet Senator
Harding.
WILSOX WOULD SEE HARD IX G
Xewspaper Men Told of President's
Desire for Visit.
THE OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU,
Washington, Dec. 2. President Wil
son is willing to see President-elect
Harding when the latter reaches
Washington on his return from
Panama. Not only is he -willing
to see the president-elect, but the
manner in which the intimation has
been given is interpreted here as
meaning the president is anxious to
discuss affairs with, the president
elect. The announcement of the presi
dent's willingness to meet the president-elect
was given through his sec
retary, Mr. Tumulty, who passed the
information on to the newspaper men.
From men close to the president it
is understood that Mr. Wilson is not
only willing and anxious to be cour
teous to his successor, but Is desirous
of discussing the international situa
tion with him. While the fact that
President Wilson has not congratu
lated Senator Harding upon his elec
tion has been noted, the tone of the
president's telegram to the league of
nations expressing his willingness to
mediate in the Armenian situation is
regarded as indicating that he has
heeded the verdict of the polls.
That telegram expressly explained
the president was acting with no au
thorization and his acceptance of the
Invitation was not to be interpreted
as meaning any commitment on the
part of the government of the United
States. .
There are various international
problems pending in addition to the
American attitude toward the league
of nations. Among them are the Jap
anese and Mexican situations, togeth
er with America's attitude toward
Russia. While Mexican recognition
may be extended before President
Harding takes office, there is a pos
sibility that it may be delayed until
after March 4, while the determina
tion of Secretary Colby to talk over
the Japanese treaty with western
men suggests the probability that
this problem will be handed over to
the next administration .without ac
tion by this one.
It is also considered probable that
the president might wish to discuss
the Mexican situation' with the president-elect
before taking action there.
Intimations have been given by the
(.Concluded on Page 8, Qolumn 2.)
Presldcnt-Elect Declines Wilson's
Invitation to I'se Mayflower
From Coast to Washington.
ON BOARD THE STEAMER I'AS-
TORES, Dec. 2. (By the Associated
Press.) The steamer Pastores, with
President-elect Harding on board,
this evening was proceeding north
ward off the Atlantic coast a a
speed which made it doubtful whether
her officers would be able to realize
their hopes of docking the vessel at
Norfolk, Va., Saturday morning.
Most of today the steamer battled
against head winds and a moderate
sea and at nightfall was opposite the
north central Florida coast, about 300
miles at sea. ,
Notwithstanding the constant roll
ing of the ship, Mrs. Harding re
mained on deck.
Mr. Harding worked on the
speeches he will deliver before the
Chamber of Commerce at Norfolk and
to the Elks at Bedford, Va. He took
time to play his daily game of
shuffleboard.
After his speech in Bedford Sen
ator Harding probably will go to
Washington, although that has not
been definitely settled,
settled.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. Senator
Harding declined today President
Wilson's offer to place the presiden
tial yacht Mayflower at his disposal
next Saturday on his arrival at Nor
folk to carry the president-elect tj
Washington.
It was necessary, the senator eall,
in a radio message to Secretary
Daniels, that he should make the trip
by rail. Th senator's message fol
lows: "Please thank the president for
Mayflower tender. Am obliged to
travel to Washington by rail. My
gratitude to you. Warren G. Hard
ing." FIRE DESTROYS GARAGE
Fourteen Xew and Seven Used Cars
Go Cp in Flames.
RAYMOND. Wash., Dec. 2. (Spe
cial.) The Rose Motor company's
plant in this city burned to the ground
this morning at 8 o'clock following
a fire which started from a heating
stove in the rear of the building. In
addition to the building being de
stroyed 14 new automobiles and seven
E-jcond-hand cars were lost. The
property was owned by Chris Rose.
Five thousand dollars' insurance on
the building and contents was car
ried. The explosion of gasoline and
oil rendered fire-fighting dangerous
It was necessary for the men to vet,'
gas masks when penetrating the
r.eavy black smoke which poured
from every opening In the big build
ing. Several firemen narrowly es
caped being crushed to death when
the second-story floor fell.
PARK EXEMPTION ADVISED
Exclusion From Operation of Water
Power Bill Urged.
WASHINGTON", Dec. 2. Secretary
Payne has recommended to congress
legislation to exclude national parks
from the provisions of the water
power bill.
The bill drafted by the secretary
provides that permits for such de
velopment may be secured only by
special act of congress.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Highest temperature, 51
degrees; lowest, 46; part cloudy.
TODAY'S Rain, southwesterly winds.
Foreign.
Italian fleet pokes fun at D'Annunzlo.
Page 1.
Covenant changes rejected at meeting.
Page 2.
Mrs. Clare Sheridan, Knglish sculptress,
attends funeral of John Keed American
bolshevist. Page 5.
Nations1.
Lodge and New shun cabinet posts. Page 1.
American-British contest for world trade
developing, says Mark Sullivan. Page 3.
Plight of farmers la put up to congress.
Page 4.
Portland wins 10 per cent rate differential
for Columbia basin south of Snake.
Page 1.
Internal revenue commissioner reports
5.407.0SO,2il collected in year. Page 8.
Senator Chamberlain and Representative
Slnnott oppose Link river dam project.
Page 10.
Domestic.
Shortage rumor sends wheat up 11 cents.
Page 1.
President-elect Harding scheduled to land
at Norfolk, Va., tomorrow at noon.
Page 1.
Grand Jury takes hand In New York build
ing probe. Page 7.
Loans to foreign countries to aid exports
suggested by governors as way to aid
farmers. Page 4.
Pacific Northwest.
Washington soldier gets diamond medal.
Page 1.
Price-cutting trend' followed by fruit grow
ers in Oregon. Page 10.
Ex-husband sought to explain killing.
Page. 11.
Primary law should be amended and sup
ported, says Senator Poindexter. Page
17.
Sports.
Joe Lynch 'knocks out Jack Sharkey.
Page 16.
Sam Langford knocks out Tiny Herman.
Page li
Commercial and Marine.
Large sales of Pacific northwestern wheat
for export. Page 23.
Chicago wheat gains 51 cents on covering
movement. Page 23.
Profit selllnir erases part of gains In "Wall
street market. Page 23.
Owners of docks scheduled for condemna
tion get stay of execution. Page 22.
Astoria will get Hawaiian trade. Page 22.
Port'and and Vicinity.
Campaign starts for relief funds.
High School Teachers' union
tenure compromise. Page 14.
Page 13.
proposes
Portland's rights In Columbia basin rate
case long bitterly fought. Page 1.
Rate decision gives Portland vast new
commercial territory. Page 1.
Changes in port consolidation bill are rec
ommended. Page 22.
Butter often gets mould'y in transit, says
expert at Hazelwood trial. Page 11.
March Delivery Climbs 11
Cents a Bushel.
BUYING SCARE SWEEPS PIT
Bulge Lifts Grain to $l.6612,
20c Higher Than Friday.
MEAT NEARS 1913 LEVEL
Hogs on Hoof, Pork, and Pork
Products, Carcass Beef Join in
March Down mil.
CHICAGO, Dec. 2. Suggestions or
possible coming shortage of bread
Bupplies In the United States accom
panied a buying scare today in the
wheat pit on exchange. Prices ran -up
11 cents a bushel .for March de
livery, the principal future contract
traded in at present.
The sudden bulge lifted March
wheat to $1.66, nearly 20 cents
higher than last Friday, when the
market was in a state of collapse
owing to a series of agricultural bank
failures In North Dakota and to a
combination of other .depressing cir
cumstances. The long downward plunge of other
prices which then culminated had
been taken advantage of from time
to time by European interests to ac
quire ownership of large amounts of
wheat, but it was not generally real
ized until today that the total of
foreign buying might ultimately
prove excessive.
00,000,000 Export Surplus.
If figures current among dealers
turn out to be near the truth, the
export surplus In this country has
now been reduced to 60.000.000 liiis i
els. a total of 15.000,000 bushels less
than the aggregate ordinarily on
hand when a new harvest is begin
ning about July 1.
Nervousness over the export situa
tion was added to by statements that
the new crop in Australia had been
mostly bought up, presumably for
Europe, and that the Argentine har
vest was being interfered with owing
to adverse weather.
"Buy a barrel of flour" agitation
contributed a good deal to further
disturbances in wheat values, and so
also did uncertainty as to measures
which may be taken Boon by congress
with a view to relieving economic
difficulties, especially as affecting
farmers.
Cotton Trader 8hort.
Among the shorts in wheat who
were popularly believed to have hur
ried to cover today was a big New
York speculator who is identified
with the cotton trade.
Hogs on the hoof have' returned to
what is practically their 1913 pre-war
price, judging from figures obtained
toaay from one of the "big five"
packers. Pork and pork products, at
wholesale, are on their way toward
that same "level, the November report
of the institute of American meat
packers indicates, and have reached
the scale prevailing in April, 1917,
when the United States entered the
war.
Beef also Is on the downward path,
the wholesale price of carcass beef
having dropped 17 per cent since Sep
tember 1, according to the institute's
figures.
Live Hogs la Bit; Drop.
The biggest drop recorded, how
ever. Is in live hogs. The packing
house figures sho- pork on the hoof
brought 8 cents a pound In November,
1913. During the war the farmer vir
tually was guaranteed a minimum
average of 17V4 cents. In July, 1919.
the price reached 23 cents a pound.
To'day hogs are back around 10 14
cents.
Retail prices, however, have not
kept pace with the falling wholesale
market, the packing house official
said, but he declined to be quoted' di
rectly on the ground that retailers
might boycott his company.
Quotations from two retail dealers,
one whose store is classed as a high
priced establishment and the other
as a cut-rate marlfet, show a wide
divergence in prices, partly due, how
ever, both said, to a difference in the
grade of meat handled. ,
KlKores Show Ranee.
Figures furnished by the packers
and the two stores show the follow
ing range between the packing house
wholesale . price and the retailers'
schedule:
Pork loins:
Packers' price . . . .
1!13. 1919. Today
.10c 40c 21c
Kirst retailer ooc
... tkc
Cut-rate sLore ... 24 He
Fancy" smoke hams:
Packers' price ..17c 40c 2Sc .
First retailer SOo 3c
Cut-rate store .'4Vtc
Standurd Leaf lard:
Packers' price 12'o 37c 21e
First retailer 30o 41c
Cut-rate store 20 He
The bulletin of the meat packers'
institute says that during November
the wholesale price of pork loins de
clined 27 per cent, making a total
drop of 45 per cent since October 1.
Other declines on November 29 as
compared with October 1 of this, year
show: Smoked hams, 33 per cent;
fancy breakfast bacon, 15 per cent;
standard bacon, 25 per cent; fresh
skinned shoulders, 30 per cent; lard
10 per cent.
Explaining why the wholesale prie
has failed to fall as fast as the live
lencluded on Page 2, Column ilj
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