St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-31
The Railroad Commissioners
Make Some Investi-
cations
And Find a Remarkable Series
Of Frauds in Flax In
spection.
The Chamber of Commerce
Has It's Usual Monday
Discussions.
Pretty Ceremony by Which a
Druid Hall Is Dedi-
Gated.

The letter of b. +. Partridge, of Fer
gus Falls, which was published in the
GLOBE of few days ago, calling atten-
ton to the fact that there was some-
thing wrong in the flax inspection de-
partment at Minneapolis, has had its
effect. The commissioners have been
awakened; and, as usual, a pretty piece
of rascality has been unearthed. Chief
Inspector ClauSen made the Following
statement yesterday:
County Attorney JamisOn, of Mime
apOlis, acting for the state OF Minnesota,
has begun what promises to be series
of prosecutions against ID. w. Reed, of
that city, for violation of the grain in
spection laws. Section 80 OF the grain
law of 1885 provides that any person as
Stunning to act as an inspector of grain
without proper appointment shall be
deemed an imp0Stor and subject to pros
ecution and fine. Mr.. Reed, while act
ing OStenSibly in the role of an arbitra-
tor between the Minnesota Linseed Oil
Company of Minneapolis and outside
shippers, has been led into issuing GER
tilicates of inspection of flaxseed, and
that company has evidently been at
tempting to make settlements with
country shippers on the basis of said in
spection. 1t is believed that a good
many of these unlawful certificates
have been issued, and it not only prom
iSeS to prove interesting for the oil COM
pany, in having their settlements ripped
open, but also for Mr.. Reed. as an ac-
ton can be commenced in as many cases
as it can be shown that he has inspected
cars, each inspection cOnStitutinga sep
ota sAffanco Tim t,raliDhiporIr baa
will be held before Justice Grimes, of
Minneapolis, Dec. 81.
Mr.. cartridges letter, however, de-
manded an answer and here it is:
B. +. Partridge, Esq, Fergus Falls,
MINI. Dear Sir:-Replying to your
communication i'm the GLOBE of the oath
inst. and for the information of all per-
SONS interested in the shipment of flax
seed to the terminal markets, will say
that the state grain inspection depart
ment has the sole and exclusive author
ity to inspect grain at the terminal
points. st. Paul. Minneapolis and Du-
luth; all grain, which includes flax
seed, is subject: toS inspection on
its arrival at these points. The
inspection department derives its au-
thority from the grain and warehouse
law, enacted March 5, 1885. Section 30
OF Sdlu law also prOVlutS tIldC any per-
son assuming to inspect grain, without
being first properly appointed and
sworn, shall be deemed an impOStor,
and subject to prosecution and fined
for each and every attempt to so inspect
grain. The Minneapolis chamber of
commerce neither has the authority to
appoint an inspector nor has it, to our
knowledge, done so, or in any way in
terfered with the work of the depart
ment. Indubitable evidence was re-
Gently secured, moreover, by the rail-
road and warehouse commission that one
ID. w. Reed had been inspecting f1aXseed
without authority from the commission
at the mill of the Minnesota Linseed
Oil company at Minneapolis. and that
said company had made, or attempted
to make, settlements with numerous
country shippers upon the basis of GER
tificates issued by said Reed. The mat
ter was placed by the attorney general,
at the instance of the commission, in
the hands of County Attorney Jamison,
and will be pushed to speedy determ-
nation, as will all cases wherein proper
evidence can be had. Any proof which
may be in your possession, or that Of
any other person, that would establish
violation OF the grain laws will be
thankfully received. Very truy yours,
THOMAS BIXBY,
Secretary Railroad and Warehouse
Commission