WAUPACA POST

November 24, 1892

 

TO CORNER POTATOES.

A Big Scheme to Control Prices

 

            CHICAGO, Nov. 18 - Potatoes are scarce.  But they will be still more scarce before spring, and the economic housewife will merely wash them off and not run the risk of wasting any goodness by using even her thinnest bladed knife to peel them. And the Irish may have to learn to eat rice or onions, in order to save potatoes for their Sunday dinners.

            There is a rumor among commission men in this city that a well-organized plan is being made by a certain ring of speculators, to get a corner on the potato crop.  It is a well-known fact that the potato crop of the past season was short, in many sections the entire crop having failed.  Taking this with the reported scarcity of all garden vegetables, a well-known speculator evolved the idea that it would be an excellent opportunity to get a corner on the market.  Already circulars have been sent to many of the country dealers, and even to newspaper editors at country places, in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas, requesting them to ascertain the estimated quantity of potatoes still held by the farmers in their section; also requesting other information, including variety, quantity and selling price.

            The plan is to tabulate the information and to quietly send agents through the country, who will secure options on all the marketable potatoes in sight.  Should the plan prove successful as it probably will, the price of potatoes will follow the moon, and the profits reaped by the speculators will be enormous. -

                                                                                    Oshkosh Northwestern