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

lRgreRvte cost 70 the State for carrying out I,
ions made In the laws themselves. ,Ihe rail |
'oad law appr0priates (sec 29) $4,000. The
grain and warehouse law approprIates (sec an |
y quo; az mn s two appropriations cover tho
hence the necessity for an approp- |
ration which shall cover this period of time.
In reply to the 9Th question, what is the
salary OF each appOintee or employed? l an
swer that In some cases the amounts paid to
some OF the employees vary. something de-
pending upon the season, and the amount OF
answer to this and the 4th question that the
number Of ofhcials and employees vary win
the season When the grain is being shipped
weighers and inspectors is larger, and is paid
more per month than 1t is In the winter
months when the work ia light.
There is "a g secretary s OF the Commission,
Is one clerk In the secretary's Office whose sala-
ry Is $1,2tW.
inspectors and helpers salaries range from
$50 to SOS per month. Pay roll for September
was $4,000 and for January 5000.
The speaker then stated that Sec TO- Chapter Ias.
Page Of the revised statutes provided ample
remedy for the evil mention in the question concerning
dockage. and stated that the practice is nothing less
tt robbery. and the perpetrators should be delt
with accordingly. He said that they get great
many complaints from shippers to the effect that their
cereal does hold at terminal points The
statute provides that the shipper shall demand
cept from the carrier for the number OF bushels and
the number so reeeiped must be delivered. He thinks
every farmer should know just how much wheat he
loads on to take to market. the as il it were
money and il he is not given proper weight he should
prosecute the party so doing. Every man stand
his own character. and would advise farmers 10
shun buyers who do not treat them fairly.
In response to the question to the number of en-
ployees, ETC., in the service under the law Gen'l
kaker read from Chief Grain Inspector Bur
dick showing this is and has been In Septembe.
the first month Of the new regime there were the
general Office Chief Inspector. Deputy Inspec-
tor one Accountant. one Deputy Registrar. In the
same department in December the Deputy Registrar
not the force. At 1T. Paul in September there
employed one Chief Deputy. and one Deputy In
spector. In January the same. At Minneapolis in
September one Chief Deputy, one Assistan, Deputy.
five Deputies. Helpers and one Clerk In January
two deputies and two helpers had been dropped. A,
Duluth in September there we're chief deputy one
assistant deputy. five deputies four helpers book
keeper and one assistant book-keeper In January
assistant deputy. two deputies. four helpers and one
assistant book keeper had been curtaed. The State
| weighing force for the same months stood follows
At 81. Paul in September chief weighm astcr anc
| two assistants. The chief and assistant had been
dispensed with in January. At Mi neapolis in Sept.
there were one chief weghmaster fourteen assistants
and one registrar. In January the same. At Duluit
IN September chief weghmastee. first assistant
SIX deputies and deputy registrar. In Januar,
there we're assistant and three deputies less
These statistics given to show that the force
being constantly curtaled to accommodate the nec,
Of the departments.
The report shows that up to January lst there hat
been a.76e cars inspected at St. Paul. 1854 at Min
neapols and 10000 at Duluth: grand total of g.
| $40 cars.
The pay for all these officials is derived from til
fees for inspection Each employee or officer is pai
monthly salary Of the State treasury the inspec
ton fees first going into he-treasurers hands and
counted. and then paid out again on order. Undc
the old system these men appointed by Boar DIS
Trade and took all fees for their compensation. whic
sometimes reached enormous amounts. As it is no,
this part of the work conducted better and cheapc
the state getting whatever fees that exceed the leg
| innate expenses.
Ii is the Commissioner opinion that when the farm
ers come to understand the system better. they wi
commend it. and it is absolutely that the Law
will stand. If the agricultural classes do SUI
port them. They perfect, but reaching in ii
right direction, and the farmers should see that "
continue in the same way. hoping to reach the desire
results in the future for it is impossible do ava
with all wrongs and abuses in year.
Mr. Olson: Is it possible amend the railro cd lay
so to reach passenger rates ? Il seems that the
should be cut down. Could these not be reduced TO
and cents a mile.
Mr.. Becker. We will never he satisfied until this
done There is too much unfair discrimination in tn
matter. 1t seems that the thing should be equaizec
and if one class Of men ride passes lie ever,
body ride passes and il one pays five cents p,
mile lei all do likewise. We have given the suhje'
some consideration and have come to the conclusic
that the alleged Of lines of railways is not prop
basis upou which to compute rates. The proper W.,
seems to me. would be to take account of stoc
periodically the merchant doe> and base rates "a
on this. Some roads may be extravagantly built. b.
it is just make the patrons Of the road compel
safe for such recklessness. A reasonably. income
on accounted value would be the proper thing.
A, this po,nt the matter of first and second ella
fares was discussed. Mr.. Olson did not any just
in such an arrangement. but Mr.. Becker thought
right enough but rates should be established to corr
spond. Mr.. Olson thought it would be wise to ado
the methods in vogue in Sweden providing trai
with comfortable accommodations at very low rat
for the convenience OF poor people and laborers
limited means.
Mr.. Becker thought there should be something
this country similar to what is known in England
the parliamentary train. which is provided for by pa
lamentary action, with ordinary accommodations an
fixed rates. expressly for the poorer classes.
The conference with the Commissioners ended her
and the Secretary submitted the following resolu,o
which was asopted by unanimous vote.
Resolved, That we as an Alliance will sustain IN
railroad and warehouse law and the Commissioners
the execution Off, and pledge ourselves assist in III
formulation OF such amendments a experience ha
shown to be necessary to perfect the system Of railroad
legislation and grain inspection under State authority
The Alliance then proceeded to the election of o
icers for the ensuing yaar. The roll is as follows:
President-James Mountain.
| Secretarv-Chas. Halves.
Treasurer-Martin Pratt
On motion committee to select subject for dis
cussion at the next meeting appointed. consistin
Of Chas. Halves. L. Cook and John Diamond.
A vote Of thanks was passed to the newspaper repre-
sentaves present. for the interest taken in reportin
the proceedings and the Cadet band for their ser,
ices. At the close Of the meeting it was found tha
the collection to bear the expenses Of the dele
gate. amounted to 1891.
The President was instructed to appoint time an
place for the next meeting OF the Alliance and he des
ignated Monday. March aad as the day and Goo
Thunder the place.
L