St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-09-04
GRAIN RECEIVERS wRoTH.
They Think Themselves Ill
Treated BY the Great Northern.

They Think Themselves III
Treated BY the Great Northern.
There is the usual trouble with the
railroads in regard to the transportation
OF wheat. Some time ago the Great
Northern issued circular in which it
made the statement that it would refuse
TO allow its cars to run to elevators or
mills not situated upon its own tracks.
The road claims to have been compelled
TO take this course ON account of the
trouble it has had heretofore in getting
back the cars from other railroads, and
also on account of the large demand for
cars by the shipper at this time of the
year. 1t Is cOntended that in conse-
quence of this action, the grain men
will suffer considerable loss to their
business. The Grain Receivers asso-
citation. of Minneapolis, wrote letter
70 the railway company explaining how
refused to reScind the order. After the
refusal, another meeting was held and
1t was decided to ask the newspapers to
publish the letter, as it explains the sit
uation fully. Following is a copy of
the letter sent the Great Northern, by
he association.
A. L. Mohler, General Manager Great
Northern Railroad Company, st. Pau /,
MINI.
Dear Sir: We desire to protest against the
enforcement Of this order and would re.
spectfully invite your attention to the fol-
lowing features, showing disastrous effects
to re suit from its enforcement:
1t is the experience of the trade that the
more opportunities they are given to dispose
OF their daily receipts the less liability there
is OF blockade during heavy movement. If
you confne our facilities Tor unloading to
the elevator on the road, blockade is 1nev-
table 1t is elf-evident fact that the more
buyers we have the quicker sales can be
erected and more prompt disposition given.
II Is also fact that competitive buying en-
tiers largely in enabling consignees to
present On wheat crop. is a spotted one
lions OF new wheat received so far
being under No. northern grade. A large
portion of this wheat will have to be handled
by the mixing houses, and if you refuse to
deliver to them, it will have to be sold at a
sacrifice: Of the five elevators on your tracks
but one is mixing house with very limited
capacity. OF the other twelve elevators
located on tracks Of other roads, eleven are
mixing houses who have buyers on the
market throughout the season. All the other
wheat roads allow disposition to be given,
sending their cars to any elevator or mill in
the city. You can readily see that the wheat
from your road is placed at disadvantage
SO FAR as buyers are concerned, as compared
WIN tnat from the Northern Pacific, 500,
Milwaukee and other competing roads,
With Circular No. IL in effect we can obtain
from to cents more per bushel for Off
grade wheat arriving on the other roads than
we get for similar wheat from your road.
Your circular states that the object of this
order is to facilitate prompt disposition and
unloading of ) our cars.
1t is the candid judgment of this organize
ton that it will result in much greater de-
lays than have existed heretofore ana will
render dissatisfaction on the part of shippers
on your road, both as 10 prices obtained for
their wheat and additional and unwarranted
shortage, insurance and switching charges
The grain receivers are as anxious as the
railroad for prompt disposition and unload
ing of cars, but are confident that the in
forcement of Circular No. IL will make mat
tiers much worse, and respectfully ask that it
be rescinded. Yours very truly,
+. w. COMMONS,
Chairman Committee on Transportation.