"WHEAT IN WESTERN CANADA 105 



XXIII. The Winnipeg Grain Exchange 



One of the most important factors in facilitating the 

 marketing of the wheat of the Canadian West is the 

 Winnipeg Grain Exchange. This great institution was 

 incorporated in 1891, and subsequently, in 1908, was 

 re-organized as a voluntary association of grain dealers. 

 At first there were only ten members, and the entrance 

 fee was $15 ; but now the members number more than 

 three hundred, and the value of the seats has increased 

 to $5,000. So commanding a position has the Exchange 

 now attained that the leading grain dealers on the con- 

 tinent feel it imperative to become members. The pres- 

 ent Grain Exchange building is a fine and massive struc- 

 ture which cost $2,000,000 ; and employed within its 

 walls are more than fifteen hundred persons.*' The Ex- 

 change compiles, records, and publishes statistics; obtains 

 and distributes information respecting the produce and 

 provision trades; promotes and maintains uniformity in 

 the business, customs, and regulations in these trades 

 among those engaged in them; and adjusts controversies 

 and misunderstandings arising between the traders.*" 

 The Exchange spends thousands of dollars every year in 

 its telegraphic communications with the consuming 

 markets of the world, and every day posts on blackboards 

 the prices prevailing at London, Liverpool, Paris, Buenos 

 Ayres, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Duluth. 

 Other statistical information is also being constantly re- 

 ceived and given to the press. The prices prevailing on 

 the Winnipeg market are telegraphed daily to at least four 

 thousand points in the western provinces. All this in- 

 formation is given to the farmers without charge, so that 



39 W. E. Milner, The President's Address, Eighth Annual Report 

 of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange, Sept. 13, 1916, p. 29. 



*o These functions are mentioned in the articles of incorporation. 



