St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-25


in the bill were to appoint a state inspector.
waymasters and necessary clerks; to estab-
lish grades Of all grain: to prevent discrm-
nation on the part Of railroads and to listen
to complaints. The committee was to
really be an arbitration committee To settle
complaints between railways and shippers,
to see that the railroads maintained their
lines properly. giving satisfaction in their
services. To satisfy themselves that the
railroads are doing this. the commissioners
are authorized to make an inspection trip
over the lines of all the railroads in the
state once every thee months
The bills creating, and defining the duties
OF the commission and regulating the hand
ling Of grain. passed after weeks of de bate,
committee hearing. arguments by farmers
and railroad men, and careful work OH the
part Of some of the best informed men in
both houses. 1t was an outgrOwth of the
general kick made by the wheat growers
and shippers at the alleged injustice done
them by railroad companies and elevator
men.
While the commissioners were unable to
establish rates for the roads it Is part of
their duty to see that the latter maintain
reasonable ones. They have made several
important changes in the manner of ship
ping during the past season. among the
most important being the changing of the
grade of wheat and other grains, doing
away with transit, and the modifying of
grain and fuel rates in the state 1t was
early in June that they established state
grades OF wheat. changing the old grades Of
the chambers of commerce and boards of
trade. The grades as established were No.
hard spring wheat, No. 1 Northern, No,
. Northern and No. spring wheat.
THE WORD NORTHERN
was applied to the grades to give character
and sort of prestige to the Minnesota
wheat in the markets of the world. it being
a recognized fact that wheat that is known
to be of the northern varieties in distinction
from that grown in the middle or southern
ATTITUDES, has superiority. This idea of
the commission met with general approval
of all who have made a study of wheat
growing and handling questions. With the
changing OF the grades the commissioners
put in force the law which prescribes that
all owners and operators of elevators shall
| take out licenses and become bonded ware
houses, or do simply private elevator bus
mess. The bonded warehouses are required
by law to have all the necessary machinery
| for the rece ptlon and shipping of grain. and
to guarantee weights and grades r. l..
Burdick was appointed chief grain inspec.
| tor All the Duluth elevators took out H.
| censeS and became bonded warehouses. and
| all wheat now handled at Duluth is under
| the state law. With few exceptions
| Minneapolis elevator men did not take out
| licenses. Whether this law has been sue
cess is too early yet to tell but the action
of the commissioners has been criticised
both favorably and unfavorably. Country
shippers are generally satisfied. and have
expressed their approval OF the action taken
by the board.
| A most important act has been the prac-
teal killing OF the milling IN transit BUSH
hess, carried OIL so extensively by the Chi
cago lines, especially the Milwaukee 4 st.
| Paul. Along the Hastings & Dakota divi-
sion of this line large amount of grain is
! sOwn. which the company was naturally
anxious to control to final market. The
transit business was originated and inau-
| gurated by the Milwaukee 4 St, Paul, for
the shipper might possibly have it shipped
to Minneapolis or st. Paul for storage. and
should prices be better at Chicago would
ship there and. perhaps, give some other
road than the Milwaukee the preference.
BY THE TRANSIT
arrangement shippers were given low
through rate to Chicago and made to pay a
| high local ratet o Minneapolis. They were
| given the privilege of storing at Minneap-
oils. or having their business ground and
shipped to Chicago afterward, or they could
sell their transit in Minneapolis at gener-
ally half cent below the rate from there
to Chicago. This act prevented any bust
ness or ginating on the line of the Mil
waukee u st. Paul road from falling into
the hands of rival lines at Minneapolis or
st. Paul. This manuer of doing business
the commissioners took action against and
recommended that the railroads do away
with it and lessen the local rates. This be-
| ing done, the commissioners commenced a
regular warfare upon the local grain rates
OF the Chicago lines and have only now
succeeded in securing for shippers what
| they deem reasonable rates.
Fuel rates have been given some consid-
Grafton and the rates now charged by the
| lines Of Minnesota are now considered just
and equitable. The commissioners have
beside the three principal acts above re-
ferred to passed upon many minor matters.
| Numerous trips of inspection have been
made. Many local grievances have been
adjusted and many more partially so. 1t
is generally acknowledged that the law
under which the commission works is not
perfect; in many of its requirements it is
| acknowledged to be by all odds an improve
ment over the old system, while it is yet
| tuO young to say just what changes should
| be made. or upon what basis it could be adj
| vantageously remodeed.
FetSch'S paul Murphy" standard: nine