181 



\istence hero, which arc declared to he very satis- 

 >ry, or those figures and details which experience 

 in other countries supplies. 



As we see, in Canada where the (lovernment, work- 

 on a co-operative hasis, has facilitated the fanners 

 money at cheap rates, for building elevators, such ele- 

 vators, despite charging minimum tariffs, an very pro- 

 fitable to the shareholders. Although half cent gold per 

 bushel (oO kilos i was the maximum profit .-aiculated in 

 <mc place, the actual profits proved double after paying 

 <dl expenses, including amortisation of debt. 



Here in Argentina, it is estimated that there is 

 room for over 500 grain elevators ranging from local 

 country elevators with a capacity between 1000 to 5000 

 ton's to district elevators with capacity up to 30,000 

 tons, and to port elevators or terminal deposits with 

 capacity of 100,000 tons and above. 



There have been various estimates for construct- , 

 ing elevators in this country but under normal circum- 

 stances the cost of a primary or local elevator with a 

 storage capacity of 2000 tons is $30,000 m|n. ; this in- 

 cludes all the necessary machinery for cK-aning aixd 

 treating the grain. 



The exact amount of profit to be realised from the 

 inversion of money in the construction of elevators by 

 private capitalists naturally depends on the business 

 ability of the owners or the managers; undoubtedly it 

 is a remunerative undertaking, especially when com- 

 trined with the normal business of the grain merchant 

 or ""acopiador ".. The reason why the erection of ele- 

 vators has not been undertaken by private persons is 

 probably clue to the insufficient kn&vledge regarding 

 them and the attitude adopted by the Government, and 

 possibly the diffidence with which the advances of like- 

 ly capitalists for such undertakings have been received 

 by the railways, which presumably always had the in- 

 tention, however remote, to proceed with the construc- 

 tion of elevators, which are, indeed, almost essential to 

 their business. 



STATE ACTION AND PRIVATE INITIATIVE. 



* 



The name of elevators: signifies for many people a 

 privilege. The numerous laws and unwise restrictions 

 which the undertaking has been hedged have done 

 a little to contribute to the present inertia, whick 

 more than ought else is the result of the State persist- 

 ing in the p!an of a monopoly, as if a monopoly 



