The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-02-26

Of 81 .o4i. Another advantage OF the new sys-
tenn IL that n has raised the character OF the
grain. Under the old system only &C per cent
OF our wheat was classed among the high
grades, while with the new law there is So per
cent OF 1t so classed.
The question was asked II the rates on out
going freights on the Manitooa roau were re-
duced, would the company hot raiso ruteo vi
incoming commodities proportiohateiyE
Mr.. Baker replied that he thought they
could not do this, for the people would not
endure It, If this matter could be adjusted. IL
would save 100000 to tho public annually.
He said the question is what outgoing com
mOdities Is It hest to make the reductions on.
He stated further that the commissioners
must not allow the company to take the iiber-
ty to raise incoming rates
Mr. McGrath asked; What are the net earn
ings of the railroads of the slater
Mr. Baker; We cannot tell at present, but
our forthcoming report will enswer the ques-
ton. We will see that 1t is embodied therein.
The question Why are the time tables
of the different lines tnat make connections n
with other roads, not posted In the depots VI
competing linesf
Mr. Baker: The law does not require this, |
but that will be among the amendments which
the Commissioners will recommend to the
next legislature. AS ut present governed
each road Is III law unto itself in this respect
A gentleman asked: Why the Commissioners
had not suggested amendments u the law III
their recent repbrtf
Mr.. Baker explained that the law requires
them to make report to the Governor In the
year OF no legislative session. and one To
the legislature when It meets. In this latter
such recommendations will be made, 1t not
being essential in the report to the Governor
and, besides the railway law has been In force
since lust April only, and the grain law since
September, the shortness Of the time not be
ing sdequate to allow the Commissioners to
definitely decide upon necessary amendments
MIR. ramer. OF Beauford. asked, how it is
that farmers get more for wheat ut times
| in the Cool Thunder market than at Maple
| ton, and rice versa, and often more In Mankato
| than at any surrounding point. He did not see
any Justice In hauling whea 70 Mankato aud
| have IL sent right back by their doors to east
ern markets tie said they were heavily taxed
| for the building of the Wells branch AMI
should have some benefit by way of equal
prices along The line
Mr.. Baker: In regard to that the Commits
sioners could say nothing. for the law gave
them authority ut terminal points only. He
said that at the last legislature there were
two bills before that body. one giving the
Board power at local points and the one which
1
ence mentioned by Mr.. Cramer may arise from
various influences. He thought that the Board
would suggest to the next legislature that the
law be so amended as to include the superVi-
sion Of local markets.
Mr., Cramer said he was aware that the same
company had shipped merchandise, etc. tn
MankatO, cheaper than to iapleton and other
points He thought something should be done
to remedy this.
Mr. nala rlrx hot a i'm.
portant question and one he had thought upon
a great deal He said the Comm issioners
scarcely knew what remedy to recommend.
but perhaps would suggest something like the
following: Have each grain dealer take out a
license to conduct such a business. Then let
the State Inspector visit each one, and If it is
found that he is not grading and weighing
honestly, to rescind his license.
Mr.. Spauldng then asked Chief Inspector
Burdick as to his practice in docking for dirt
in wheat, inquiring thar II wheat weighs well
, In dirt whether or not he takes of the custom
airy amount for the dirt.
Mr.. Burdick said they always dock, and the
amount varies from u pound to pounds per
bushel, according to the nature of the dirt. II
wheat Is comparatively clean. but contains
shrunkcn wheat which can be utilized for
grindii purpose, 1t is not condemned: but
though the weight be good Mr.. Burdick
then went into detailed explanation of the
manner I'm which the inspectors do their work
ut Minneapolis and other terminal points. He
stated that the dockage system is not practic
ed In markets east, but that wheat is graded
on it's merits. Il they are compelled to do as
others do in this espect. they lower the grade
to Offset dirt. He said that the inspector is
| no 70 ri far no &c in
ped to MinnoapJ dis the commission men would
grade 1t at will. were not the state Inspector
present TO see that fa r grade he given.
Geo. May of Mcpherson stated that he had
drawn wheat 10 market and felt dissatisfied
with the weight given, and thereafter weighed
his wheat on scales at home. When ne wen,
to the elevator with it there was Il difference
of bu shel and half Why was this?
Mr.. Baker: 1 think the man must have cheat.
ed you.
Mr.. May: think that is just what he did !
This led Mr.. Baker to remark that all weights
and measures shSuld De inspected by the
State. Tue matter II local grading is wholly
between the buyer and seller, with the balance
of advantages In ia,'or of the buyer, and there
should be some means Of preserving justice.
MIR Childs remarked that he had taken a
load of wheat 10 a certain buyer, and was
given one and one-half bushels less than he
knew he had ON. He demurred and the man
re-weiyhed the same. making the difference q
little less. Upon further objection the full
weight was granted.
Mr.. May repJrted \ similar experience, bit
said that wnen his hired men went To market
with wheat. they did not get full weight.
Mr.. Baker; think the case should have
been taken before the nearest justice Of the
peace and punishment doled out the same as
in The case Of any theft.
| A question was asked whether or not tn
Commissioners could control grading of wheat
on the c. NJ. & ST. p. and Northwestern roads
MIR. Baker: We have no authority only at
terminal points, but the grades have been
bettered all over the State by the influence of
the law.
Mr.. Olson; Can the law be SD amended as to
place State Inspector at Chicago and other
points out Of the Slater
Mr.. Baker; think ii can, and Mr.. Olson's
suggestion will be noted, lit is a good one.
General Becker as introduced and spoke
for several minutes. He thought that an or
ganization that could turn out so numerously
on so disagreeable day had vigor enough to
accomplish something. He was very glad to
accept the invitation to be present at the
meeting. He said that he presumed 1t made
no difference to the people how the Commits
Imissioners came, but he wanted to say that
the railway companies did not provide spe cial
transportation for the Board because they
wished to and liked to, but because they have
to under the provisions of the law passed by
the people. We owe the sovereign people of
the State fer this privilege, and not the rail-
road companies SO you see we are here by
your favor and grace. 1t is with pleasure
refer 10 a visit made last fall TO local fair In
Pleasant Mound, this county. At that time
we had not gained much experience I'm this
work and were unable to answer all questions
satisfactorily, but promised to do 81 at some
future time. We arc gaining experience e
more abundantly and are better qualified to
| respond to your questions than then. The
law under which we act is an indication OF a
| sentiment that the railways are your servant
and not your master This is its great un-
DERIVING principle. Why2 Because without
the favor and franchise of the people they
| could not be built This fact gives you right
to supervise them. Many Of the complaints
| we receive are easily adjusted, for the COM
mon law afford 8 a remedy. Under the com.
| mon law common carrier is bound to use all
alike. IL he does not, he violates the law.
Rebates are illegal, and whenever occurring
the party can be punished. Discrimination is
the great evil, and 1t is the duty Of the State
to provide remedy against this, which I be-
| lieve to be the spirit of the law. i believe
that il was the intention of the legislature to
establish law that would found strict honesty
and fairness in this matter.
During the winter Mr.. Cornish, of Myrna,
| wrote US In regard to the questions PROFOUND
| ed at the Pleasant Mound iair. and will read
| you our reply to him, which will serve TO an.
| swer the same.
Below is an extract from the letter.
ST.. PAUL, January 10, 1886.
e. D. Cornish, Esq, Myrna, Mimi.