St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-30

can make 1t No. / at st. Paul. I don't want
to tell any tales out OF school [laughterl, but
a law can be passed which will protect
the interests Of both the elevators and the
farmers.
Ex-senator Robbins, of the Northwestern
Elevator company, said the newspapers all
over the state were charging the elevator
men with being thieves and consummate
~s"oundrels. There never was a greater mis-
take. He belonged to that continually ma
ligned class, and he would give any farmer
$4,000 to prove a tricky thing done by his
company. II his agents did a ~dishonorable
thing he would discharge them. The news
papers go right on assailing the companies
because 1t Is popular so to do, or for some
other reason, and the com panies are obliged
to suffer. These attacks arise from an en-
tire misrepresentation Of the subject. The
elevator companies paid from 5 to Is cents
more for wheat than then they could get by
official inspection at Minneapolis. There
was no combination between the elevator
companies. Grain is shipped on a farmers
own account If he desires. The elevator men
did not object to state inspection, but, he
hoped no legislation would be passed which
would shut anybody out. 1t appeared by
one OF the bills before the legislature that
an agent could be made a criminal for an
error in judgment in grading grain, and
another bill urged that an elevator com
pany which should delay grain in transit
should be made to pay a cent a bushel.
This was a hardship as all the eleva-
TORS and cars were sometimes
full. The elevators men wanted
a state law, but they wanted one underw which
1t was possible to act. The indiscriminate
throwing open of elevators would produce
hardships. As O run. a farmer can obtain
money for his wheat in five minutes. There
should be as strict scrutiny of the character
OF The men who run the elevators as of those
who run the banks. 1t had been said the
Millers' association controlled everything in
the northwest. That was a great f~allacy. The
elevator companies could drop their contracts
with that association at any moment. The
Millers' association did not officially grade
wheat at all. 1t was lone By a con- mittee of
the Minneapolis chamber of commerce. a
majority of whom were not millers. The ele-
vaters wanted a state inspection to protect
themselves, but it was impossible to make
any law making any mans judgment infal-
lible. 1t was impossible to ~legislate the mil
lenium into existence.
Senator Pillsbury covered about the same
ground gone over by Mr.. Robbins, adding
that the elevator companies had to run the
risk of chattel mortgages, often having to pay
for wheat twice. In Dakota more than half
the wheat was chattel mortgaged. He hoped
some legislation would be had, giving relief
to elevators in the matter of chattel mort
cages.
Senator Wilson'S it true that there is any
competition etween purchasers at the same
point?
Senator Pillsbury-The elevator men usu-
ally agree as to price.
Senator Wilson-Then the farmer has no
com petition2
Senator Pillsbury-No.
Senator Wilson-Then, why would it'not be
advantageous for some one to put in a
smaller elevator ami make competition?
Senator Pillsbury-We give the farmers
better grades up in the country than they
could get in Minneapolis.
Senator Wilson-Who likes the price, you
or Robbins' [Laughter.]
Senator Pillsbury-Neither of US.
Mr.. Why, it is regulated in this
way: the price of wheat is fifty cents, l send
a man to the town and he buys wheat and
puts it in to the elevator at ffty-three cents.
The Gu farmer can't keep still, and goes
and tells that he got tifty-three cents for his
wheat. The prfee then flies up to fifty cents
and down to forty-seven cents to even up
matters. [Laughter.l
Mr.. Robbins-I never knew a case of this
kind in all my experience.
Senator Wilson-Can you show me how
the farmers may have a perfectly open mar
ket without putting in small elevators2
Mr.. Robbins-Let the grades be guaran-
teed. We are uniform in price because
our prices are based upon acertain market.
Senator Wilson-Isn't there some person
who fixes the price of grain each morning
Senator Pillsbury-There is no precon-
certed arrangement.
Senator Wilson-Then how do you hap
pen to always pay the same pricea
Mr.. Robbins-The Millers' association fixes
the price that we both pay.
Mr.. Reese-Why is there a difference of
eight cents between the markets of Wilmar
and M~lnneapolisl
Senator Pillsbury-This matter Is regulated
by the law of supply and demand. We have
TO run the risks of tricky agents, chattel
mortgages and changes in grades.
Mr.. Van Osdel, of Dakata-I think an
open market OF the utmost Importance. |
would let men build elevators wherever they
wish.
A little further discussion ensued, where
upon the meeting adjourned with the under
standing that the senate and house sub-com-
mittees on grain grading and warehouse in
spection would meet the Dakota committee
In the evening for the purpose of evolving a
bill, or amending one already in existence,
so that 1t would he suitable for both the state
aud the territory.