THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE 



trol and divide all the grain that came into 

 their town and to pay for it the price fixed 

 by a secret conclave in Minneapolis. And 

 these prices were the prices made by the 

 gambling bet on the future or option plus 

 a margin for profit determined in advance 

 by the conclave of the Chamber of Com- 

 merce. Contemplating these astounding rev- 

 elations, the wonder seems not that farmers 

 found farming unprofitable, but that any- 

 body remained on the farms. 



The light thus thrown upon the grain busi- 

 ness as it really was gives to the following 

 letter a piquant interest: 



Montevideo, Minn., 



October 15, 1906, 

 National Milling Company, 

 Minneapolis, Minn. 



Gentlemen, — We have your letter of October 12th 

 and note that you have sent your superintendent of 

 this hne to Chnton to get the grain-buyers to agree 

 among themselves as to what price to pay for grain. 

 You certainly have our hearty approval, and I sin- 

 cerely trust the buyers will be able to hold prices this 

 year where we may be able to make a little money. 

 Yours truly, 

 Montevideo Roller Mill Company. 



By H. C. Stebbins, Manager. * 



But the real taste of these revelations is to 

 be had only by comparing them with the 



^ Before the Interstate Commerce Commission. In re Relations, 

 etc.; testimony, p. 965. 



169 



