The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-10-02

cost of inspection. The Generals re-
marks were interesting, and when he
had finished he introduced his associate
on the commission
GEN. BECKER.
Mr.. Becker not only pleased his hear
ers, but by his honest and frank state
ments, his fair presentation of the situa-
ton and his mannerism, but he surprised
them as well. He expressed himself as
feeling an unfeigned pleasure in being
able TO he present ut the meeting.
After complimenting the management
upon the success of their fair, the Gen.
gave some very interesting points rela-
tive To the railroad and warehouse laws.
He felt that the time had come when
the sovereign people of the State should
assert their rights. II is as necessary
for railroads to grant rights and privil-
eyes to the people as il is To their bond
holders. for il is the generosity of the
former i'm granting land and franchises
that made these corporations. Minne-
sofa is not alone i'm the effort To solve this
perplexing railroad problem. Most
other States are also wrestling with the
question. An important point now be-
ing considered by the federal govern
ment is the uniform classification Of
freights upon all roads. AS il is now,
every road classities ITS own freight, and
no two have the same classification. An
other feature connected with this matter
is the uniform bill of lading. At present,
every road has bill of lading of its
own, all covered over with conditions, II
fact that ~ neither just nor needed. such
1 LA has IN an
government will work great good to the
people. A L. :. Commission should al
So he appointed To see that the laws are
executed. The Gen. denounced pooling
by railroads, and thinks il ought To be
prohibited by law.
The General, after discussing some
what further the railroad question told
the farmer that whatever he did tn do il
well. If he raised wheat, raise the best
if stock, the best was the most profitable
il he made butter, manufacture first
class article, and then when done, mar
ket everything in the best possible
shape. The marketing in wheat in Tia
dirt had alone lost to the farmers oI
Minnesota millions upon millions of dol
| lars. General Baker had figured ont
that in the wheat marketed at the port
of Duluth last year, $4,000, 600 pounds al
dirt was included. Just think of that
] The farmer is made Ia suffer. The dirt
is first charged Ia him, and then he
made Ia pay the cost of transportation
| lie urged the farmers la vigilance and
watchfulness One election will not
make YOU free, said the speaker; you
must work year after year, for, in the
language of Andrew Jackson, "eterna
vigilance is the price of liberty"
/ lNlAs,n,f .lil l.nn RuEnr lao tut
the readiness and willingness ofthe Com
mssioners To answer any questions thai
might Ice asked, Mr.. James McBroom
of Danvllle, propounded series al
questions, aud requested, as mark %
courtesy Ia Gen. Becker, that he answer
them. which the gentleman did
| Following are the questions with 8
synopsis of the answer made:
! |. Are the practical results nf youl
labors satisfactory Ia yourselves?
| Ans In the three months operation,
of the Commission, the question il diff
cult To answer. II would he unjust /,
claim that in So short time any great
results have been attained. Believ,
satisfactory results will be reached aftel
an opportunity has been given. Tf not
my resignation will lie rendered.
,. What will be the probable adyaDt
age la the farmer i'm the future?
| Ans. The advantage is not To come 1,
the farmer alone, as all are interested
Ii IL well known that an individual coulC
get nothing satisfactory from Il railroad
officer. Ii is even So now But through
the Commission anv grievances that one
NAV have can he reached and adjusted
The probable advantage" is somethin!
impossible Ia answer AT this time, bu
the positive advantage. is in guarantee
ing the farmer fair weights and mea
sures. The new law has displaced the
old inspectors and weighers who wer,
formerly employed by the buyer, an,
placed in their stead men independent
from any entangling alliances.
>. From your past laboTs and 0bser
vations rs railroad and warehouse com
miSSionerS, do you recommend the law
for its general good to farmers AZ il wa.
intended, or should it be abolished?
Ans Considering the disadvantage,
under which the legislature labored il
formulating such Il measure as could pro
duce unity amongits members, the Law j,
very satisfactory. While il is not free from
defects, il is very far i'm advance of wha
has existed. There will he amendments
made To the law, or at least recommend
eel, aud IL the people will only lend theil
anu support w tue GDIillutS
sioners, Il different state of affairs will b,
brought about.
! /. How many officials, besides the
three Hon. railroad and warehouse com
missioncrs constitute full working
body in carrying ont the designs of the
law, including wheat inspectors, weigh
| masters, their assistants, clerks, &c?
Ans. This is impossible 10 answer, as
| the officers are being constantly changed
Whatever officers are necessary to take
care of wheat ~ ii arrives i'm ST. Paul
| Minneapolis or Duluth are furnished
and some days there are more required
| than others.
,. What Is the salary of each ap,
| p"lntec or employee?
Ans. This question cannot be an
swcTcd, because, ~ stated above il il
not known tn the commission at this
| time the number of men employed.
Those who are engaged, are paid accord
ing Ia their worth. Gen. Baker thought
there were about thirty employed nj
present.
Il. Are travelling expenses Included
Ans. No. There are no travelling cx-
pcnSes allowed.
!. About what will he the probable
aggregate cost per year 10 the State for
carrying out the provisions Of these laws.
Ans. II will he impossible to answer
this question until later date, as the
commission has not figured il up.
4 farmer asked Mr.. Becker 10 define
the new established grades. lie did so
10y saying that "No. Hard" consists
mostly of hard Scotch fife wheat weigh
ing ~ lbs. "NO. Northern" ~ com
posed of hard and soft varieties, weigh
in. - lIu In, tho horn Of
the state hard wheat is raised almost ex-
clusively, while ia the southern portion
it il mixed, and the grades are named
in order to establish by the brand the
locality where the wheat is grown
Surprising, says IA farmer, that 1 mix
hard and soft wheat. Hard wheat has
gone back in this section, ana almost
ruined those who have persisted in try =
ing To raise it,.
Gen. Becker thought that the hard
wheat grown in the north could be rails
ed with good success here, and il would
he worth from five To seven cents per
bushel more than the soft variety.
Mr.. Cornish said: Take load Of wheat
Ia market which would weigh ~ lbs per
the "brass kettle" measure. II is grad
ed No. 3 and then the buyer takes 10
lbs for dirt and requires 90 lbs. To the
bushel. On what ground have the buy
ers right to do this?
The answer from Becker was that il
was clear steal
Cornish: Cannot IL farmer load wheat
into car without first putting il into a
warehouse?
Ans. He can, and any refusal on the
part of the railroad company to grant
such privilege should he Immediately
reported u the commissioners, who will
take pleasure in seeing that the farmer
has his rights in tins matter.
Voice WHY should freight ON n car