St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-09-18
GRIPSACK LIARS.
This Glass of Peripatetics Redeiyt
Their Reward

Their Reward.
One interesting showing made by the
publication is the system of deceit and
Misrepresentation practiced by the ele-
va.Or companies on the farmers through
their travelling men. 1t is claimed that
salaries are pal to head nl-n OF $1,000,
$4,000 and $4,000 per year; that the
travelling agents receive 5000 aud So,
600, and that the expense OF the com
biuati0n is enormous in every respect.
"Talks to give the farmers" is sad 10
be stereotyped circular which Ire com
blnation issues to its travelling men.
This circular inStructS the travelling
men what sort Of story they must tell
when the farmer offers objections to
trust methods. 1t directs them to tell
the farmer that there \ is no money i'll
the elevator business, and that the ele-
vatOr companies would just as soon go
out OF the business as not: that they are
paying for wheat every cent they can
afford to pay and are not making any
living profit. and particularly the tray
cling agent dwells Oh the fact that the
elevator companies are grading wheat
higher, docking lower, and GENERALLY
giving the farmer a better show than
the terminal elevators i'll their turn are
giving the elevator companies. The
idea is to make it appear that the farm
ers are well treated, and that the ele-
yator companies are losing money. and
the strongest possible eEdeavor is made
to keep the farmer from organizing and
starting opposition to the combine ele-
vatOrS.
In letter written to one of these
travelling agents the general manager
Of the trust said he inclosed a check for
81, 600 as a token of appreciation of the
agents faithful service and his eXpe-
dltiOuS manner of Quieting all differ
enceS in the country. The agent was
told in this letter that he was Jim
dandy" and that the combine was get
ing up another secret organization, and
wished to try to secure his services in
the "bloody work" He was asked if
$4,000 year and expenses for himself
and family, including ''all his dizzy girls
in Minneapolis and on the road, leaving
out only ST. Paul" would be any in
ducement to him. He. was tod that he
else for that year, but the combine
would double his pay next year ii it
did not drop all its chips Oh Chicago
wheat. Numerous instances where in
dependent mills and indept ndent farm
erS' elevators were eStabl shed, and
where they were intimidated into paying
the same price for wheat that the trust
paid, are given in the book. The con-
tract made with Mr.. Wolco Oft 10y
the Minneapolis 81 Northern Ee-
vator company is said to be
merely sample Of contracts
m AIDE with independent buyers when
they are bought off. This contract pro-
vided, among other things. that v olcott
should not engage in the wheat buying
business, or in handling wheat III any
way, or be interested in the same di-
rectly or indirectly. by himself or by
any other person or persons at any
point or place where the Minneapolis q
Northern Elevator company might own
or operate elevators during the five
years of the contract. In the suit pend
ing in st. Paul the elevator company
has answered, admitting the making OF
the contract.