Daily globe., 1879-02-12
THE SWINDLING BRASS KETTLE.
Considering the Question of Wheat Grad
1ng-A Sub-Committee Appointed to
Draft a Bill AbOlishing the Swin(lle.

considering the Question of Wheat Grad
1ng-A Sub Committee Appointed to
Draft Bill Abolishing the Swindle.
A special meeting of the joint committee
having under consideration the adjustment of
the brass wheat TESTER was held at the capitol
building last night, Senator Rahilly in the
chair, large number of those interested being
in attendance. The meeting was called to
order at S o'clock, previous to which several
experiments were made with the little Joker,
and the different weights obtained from me as
urement of the same wheat by several skilled
members present, was the source of consider
able amazement.
Mr.. W. M. Campbell chairman of the House
committee, called for the reading and considera-
tion of Mr.. Larssens bill, section by section.
The first section, providing for grading wheat
from ffty-six pounds upwards, called out Sen
ator Pi!lsbury, Of the Minneapolis Millers' as
sociatlon, who wanted tifty-tive pound grade.
Senator Williams thought great speculation
on the part Of the elevator men was mixing
wheat, and SO bringing up inferior grades.
Senator Officer thought if grades were estab-
lished for all kinds of wheat elevator men
could not store it. He frequently paid as
much for 55]5 and 56 pound wheat as he did
for 81 pound.
Mr.. Pillsbury said that it made no difference
where the line was drawn, if elevator men were
only honest. There was no elevator man on
wheat SO loosely that no one would buy
speaker said that the millers usually
bought No. l, 2, and sometimes No. 8, wheat
Senator Williams defended the millers. The
more millers the better. 1t was the elevator
men who were to blame.
Mr.. Campbell said that the gentlemen were
wandering from the purpose of the meeting.
The Millers' association Of Minnesota had fixed
the grades, and the talk about millers was all
unnecessary.
Mr. Pillsbury explained that grades were
established by elevator men, and not by the
millers.
Mr.. Campbell said that grade of wheat
mixed in Minnesota would have tendency to
raise the price of Minnesota wheat.
An extensive English, buyer had telegraphed a
few days since for 100000 bushels of Mime
sofa wheat. The speaketswas not in favor of
sending Minnesota wheat to the Milwaukee
wheat buyer, who then mixed it with the
poorer grades. What the farmers of Mime
sofa. desired was an established brand for Min
nesota wheat. Something that would prevent
its unjust manipulation by outside spectators.
Minnesota wheat should be known as such all
! over the world.
Mr.. LARSEN proceeded to explain his bill.
MIR. Donohue wanted the committee to pro-
ceed with its original object Senator Williams
wanted wheat bought by the pound, like wool
or pork. Mr.. Shanks thought the committee
coulo establlsn grade but not price. Mr..
Campbell moved that the establishing Of grades
| was practicable, which motion passed.
Mr. Donohue's bill substituting the half
bushel for the brass kettle was taken up. Mr..
| Campbell thought it did not cover the ground.
Mr.. Donohue said he had been in the wheat
| business twenty years, and all he wanted
was q law to help the farmers.
Mr. Campbell said that there was prejudice
against the brass kettle throughout the State
Petitions for it's abolishment were rolling in
every day. The farmers knew they had been
swindled by it, and that was enough. The
speaker was Nopposed to the discussion of
grades, as it diverted attention from the main
object of the meeting. He would therefore
move, in order to get the sense of the meeting,
| that committee Of three be appointed by the
| chair to draw up bill to meet the require
| ments of their purpose Carried.
The chair appointed Messrs. Campbell and
Shanks, and after several gentlemen had re-
fused, was finally prevailed upon to serve as
| the third member himself.
After some further discussion the meeting
| adjourned until 80 Thursday evening.