River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-17
THE WHEAT TRADE.
Organization of the Minnesota wheat
Buyers ana MiIiers Cor Self Protection

In accordance with an informal, unofficial
call given below, the wheat buvers of Nj lneso-
ia, met at the Merchants Hotel in St. Paul
April s. The following is the call:
ROCHESTER,, Mimi, March "a, 1879.
DEAR SIR: AS there seems to be a unani-
nous feeling among wheat buyers that consul
tation is desirable, and as some one must move
in the matter, we take the liberty of calling a
meeting of the dealers in wheat in this State
at the Merchants hotel in st. Paul, on Monday,
April Sth, at 10 A.. NJ.
We feel confident that such a meeting can be
made of great benefit to all concerned, and
trust you will be sure to be present. Yours
truly, Ct. w. VAN DUsES Co.
Please be present. K. b. ANDREWS.
Among those present were:
Rochester-Geo. w. Van Dusen, c. Ell. Chad
bourne, Sam Written.
Columbus, Wis.-R. w. Chadbourne.
McGregor, Iowa-Mr. Hunting, of the firm
of Bassett, Hunting Il Co.
La Crosse, Wis.-W. w. CargiH.
Dodge City, MIND. C. Farbank.
Glencoe-A. III. Reed, of A. t. Reed & Co.
| Duluth-George Spencer, w. w. Davis, of
Sayer & Davis, t. A. Olmsted, Col" G. H.
| Graves.
Minneiska-H. ]. o'NeiIl. D. T. Brooks. of
| Brooks Bros.
| Faribault-H. w. Pratt, Geo. Robinson.
Glyndon-G. S. Barnes, of G. s. Barnes &
| Co.
Minneapolis-H. ]. Crosswell, E. b. Andrews
of the Millers' association.
Red Wing-F r. Sterrett, of the Red Wing
| mills.
| st. Paul.. @. Adams, P. B. Smith Van
Auken, of Van Auken Il Lange; G. McIlrath,
A. Gilbert. of Gilbert & MeIlrath; r. Barden.
J. @. Boyden, of the Sioux City st. Paul rail
| road.
THE ORGANIZATION.
The meeting was organized by the election
of George w. Van Dusen president and j. Q.
Adams secretary. An expression of opinion
| from the representatives was called for.
| Remarks were made by several persons. MIR.
Barden spoke of the recently passed wheat
| grading law. As for his part he believed the
| whole law amounted to nothing, and in refer
ence to the Farmers Board of Trade law, he
thought that law was by no manner of means
| binding
MIR. Gilbert remarked that he had attended
the meeting of the Farmers Board of Trade.
He must confess that they evinced a spirit to
do fair, and showed willingness to meet any
suggestion rom the wheat buyers.
MIR. Barden asked why he believed the
law not binding He replied that the law re-
quired them to fix up regulations, and if they
were not obeyed, parties could be fined. 1t was
a delegation of authority which was not war
ranted in the law of the land.
Mr.. Chadbourne asked if it was the under
standing that the farmer could have used
either 1.-THE little JOKER or the half bushel
measure, he might elect.
MIR. Barden-That may be So but if farmer
comes to me to SELL he will have to use the
brass kettle with the Stacy filler. If not
will make short work by telling him just to &C
where the bushel is in use. 1 won't use it,
Mr.. Mcllrath said after all the law was bind.
ing so far as the State executive officers were
concerned. To be sure. the wheat buyers
might beat in the end, but they would in the
meantime be delayed with suits and com.
plants.
MIR. Gilbert believed the law fixing
grades in wheat all right. Surely the
legislature had the power to fix the grade and
if so, they surely had the right to delegate this
authority.
Mr.. Davis asked about the Stacy filler;
whether accurate.
Mr.. Gilbert replied by saying it was always
accurate; any one man would fill it always
alike, while without it the joker in the hands
of even two skillful men would bring about
different results.
Pretty general objection arose to the use OF
the Stacy filler because it patent. The
opposition to the State going into patent-rlght
business was general, and then again another
filler might be adopted by the next legislature,
and all buyers would be subjected to great ex-
pense by the change.
pounds could be made in filling 1.-THE joker
without Stacy's filler, tut with it the filling
and weight was uniform.
Mr.. Andrews of Minr eapolis representing
| the largest wheat buying interest IN the State,
| being called upon respond ed by saving the mat
ter had not been greatly discussed in Minneapo-
lis. But the individual opinion pr-tty generally
expressed was to conform to the law as nearly
as possible. To try it in full faith, so as to see
If it could work.
MIR. Croswell, of Minneapolis, had similar
views to express. He thought the law should
be conformed to- though likely great expense
would come about in the purchase of half
bushels.
On motion the following committee ON reso-
lutions was appointed by the presiding officer:
@. II. Graves, Duluth.
&. S. Barnes, Glyndon.
| w. W. Cargill, La Crosse.
| George Robinson, Faribault.
e. b. Andrews Minneapolis.
| @. I'll. Chadbourne, Rochester.
| Charles MeIlrath st. Paul.
Mr.. Andrews insisted upon Withdrawing his
name and Mr. FL. ]. Crosswell, of Minneapolis,
was appointed in his place.