Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1891-09-10

The SHEAF has no desire to be
unjust in it's criticism of any rail
road corporation. We believe that
a great deal OF the popular clamor
against railroads is uncalled for and
not warranted by the facts in the
case. Railroads are built for the
purpose of making money for their
owners, the same rs any other enter
prise in which the people engage, and
n fair profit should be accorded
them. Yet it should also be bornein
mind that railroads are public car
rlers, and that the people are very
deeply interested in how they are
conducted. The public has given to
them valuable franchises and priv
leges for which they expect returns
OF some kind. Railroad corpora
tons are to u certain extent crea-
tlons OF the people, and when they
become diSrcgardful of the interests
ot the people they should be dealt
with summarily. Fer that reason
we have national and state laws
regulating them and an Interstate
Railroad Commission and State Rail
road Commission. Now we have
no hesltanry in Saying that the
TREAT Northern road is abusing it's
powers and privileges as a railroad
corporation. 1t has become an op-
pressor OF the people in various
ways, is violating the laws OF this
state and should be made to come
to time. The SHEAF does not de-
sire to take the initiative. but we will
suggest that mass meeting OF rep
resentatlve farmers and business
men OF Marshall, kittson and Polk
counties, be called at Warren as
soon as practicable for the purpose
OF protesting against the treatment
we are receiving from said road on
it's st. Vincent extension, and to
present our grievances to the State
Railroad Commission, who should
he invited to be present.
Here are some of our grievances:
The Great Northern has for years
maintained Il miserable mixed train
service on it's st. Vincent extension
which runs through the most fertile
portion OF the Red River Valley, the
counties of Marshall, kittson and
Polk, Which alone this year will ship
over said line 5 or 6 millions bushels
OF wheat. Owing to unsatisfac-
tory train service immigration to
this part OF the valley is at a stand
still, the development OF the country
lmpeded and our lands reduced in
value,
The company has failed to provide
necessary depot facilities for the &C
commodation OF passengers and
freight, at Warren, as well as at
other points on this line, and has vio-
lated the promises given to Warren
in this matter.
1t has refused to grant permits to
erect elevators on it's line OF less
than 10000 bushels capacity, and in
some instances would grant no per-
mits at all, thus preventing compe-
tition in the buying, shipping and
storing OF grain, and this in the face
OF insufficient elevator capacity.
1t is charging an exorbitant rate
for carrying our wheat to the mark
cts OF minneapolis and Duluth, q rate
which is out OF proportion and far in
excess of that charged by Kansas
and Nebraska roads for carrying
grain from Missouri river points to
Chicago, greater distance. This
matter OF wheat rates should be
brought to the attention OF the Rail-
way Commission at once.
Let II meeting be called at once to
discuss the above and other grievan-
cps which We have and lay them
before the Commission in q proper
manner.