July 31st, 1913
Mr. Geo. B. Douglas,
"Goring Hall"
Worthing, Sussex, England
Dear Mr. Douglas,
I am writing you this short line so that you will be informed of
the Starch market conditions.
During the past few days we have been having very rapid advances
in Corn and cash No.3 grade Chicago is now around 64 1/2 to 65 cents.
The conditions in the corn belt are not at all satisfactory and
if the hot weather continues as it has been for the past four of five
days, a great deal of damage will be done. It was 102 in the office
here yesterday and the Government thermometer registered 106 over
town and the same the day before.
We had a slight shower this morning and thunderstorms are reported
generally for the state of Iowa today and tomorrow so we are quite
hopeful of a good soaking rain in the near future. It is greatly needed
but even more so in some of the other states, such as Nebraska, Kansas
and Oklahoma.
Some of the corn crop statisticians are estimating the crop at 2,750,000,000
which you will note is considerably less than last year. As soon as
the Government report comes out on the 9th of August I will advise
you fully of conditions, though perhaps you will get them in your
daily paper.
We have been pounding away on Pearl and Powdered for the last 30
days and just about keeping even with our output up until yesterday
when orders came pouring in rapidly. We booked a total of over 4,000
bags and barrels and 7 or 8,000 boxes.
There was an advance rumored of 25 cents on Lump and Package and
5 and 10 cents on Pearl and Powdered - the facts of which we have
not yet obtained. However we wired the entire trade last evening to
advance Pearl and Powdered ten points, making Chicago Pearl bases
$1.97 without any change in Lump and Package goods.
We are oversold on this grade for 40 to 60 days and are fully taken
care of on Pearl and Powdered for the month of August and under existing
crop conditions prefer keeping close to shore. We are just about covered
with corn purchases and manufactured stocks to cover our sales and
with an erratic corn market must not take any chances.
We are not paying over 63 cents for but little of our corn but are
bidding 64 1/2 cents today. We are successful in securing a sufficient
supply to keep the plant in full operation, this month's showing should
be quite satisfactory. The small stock of Pearl and Powdered which
we have in the factory will come in very handy in taking care of our
needs if we should be compelled to shut down for a few days for lack
of corn.
It is not a question of price with the farmers as we are bidding
right up to the top and sometimes over, but they will not let loose
of the corn - most likely due to the unsatisfactory conditions of
the growing crop.
We had a little shower yesterday but not sufficient to help very
much and we are all hoping for a good soaking rain throughout the
entire belt at an early date.
Everything is going along quite satisfactorily in the factory, having
full force and no difficulty in securing plenty of labor. Matters
in the office are almost most pleasant. Our only trouble is the extremely
hot weather.
Andrew was in to see me a few days ago and reported everything going
along very satisfactorily at your home.
I regret having delayed in forwarding you the enclosed statement
but trust the same will arrive well in advance of your leaving for
this country.
With nothing of further interest at the moment, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
E-K
* This letter
has been edited slightly to make it more readable for 21st century
readers. The challenges of transcribing a handwritten letter include
changes in spelling, punctuation and usage.
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