Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           TheremedyisNOTinthecurtailingofourwheatareas,butinthis,weMUSTHAVENEWMARKETS,GREATERMARKETS.ForyearswehavebeensendingourwheatfromEasttoWest,fromCaliforniatoEurope.ButthetimewillcomewhenwemustsenditfromWesttoEast.Wemustmarchwiththecourseofempire,notagainstit.Imean,wemustlooktoChina.RiceinChinaislosingitsnutritivequality.TheAsiatics,though,mustbefed;ifnotonrice,thenonwheat.Why,Mr.Derrick,ifonlyone-halfthepopulationofChinaateahalfounceofflourpermanperdayallthewheatareasinCaliforniacouldnotfeedthem.Ah,ifIcouldonlyhammerthatintothebrainsofeveryrancheroftheSanJoaquin,yes,andofeveryownerofeverybonanzafarminDakotaandMinnesota.SendyourwheattoChina;handleityourselves;doawaywiththemiddleman;breakuptheChicagowheatpitsandelevatorringsandmixinghouses.WheninfeedingChinayouhavedecreasedtheEuropeanshipments,theeffectisinstantaneous.PricesgoupinEuropewithouthavingtheleasteffectuponthepricesinChina.Weholdthekey,wehavethewheat,—infinitelymorethanweourselvescaneat.AsiaandEuropemustlooktoAmericatobefed.WhatfatuousneglectofopportunitytocontinuetodelugeEuropewithoursurplusfoodwhentheEasttremblesuponthevergeofstarvation!”

           Thetwomen,CedarquistandMagnus,continuedtheconversationalittlefurther.Themanufacturer’sideawasnewtotheGovernor.Hewasgreatlyinterested.Hewithdrewfromtheconversation.