St. Paul daily globe., 1892-03-22

the questions are. and if the witness refuses
to answer it is for them TO decide whether he
is in contempt
Mr. McGhee said the list of elevators
to whom Mr.. Irons furnished prices is
already in evidence, and Mr.. Irons said
the list previously submitted was cor
rect.
Mr. Erwin-Do the elevator companies, by
whom you are employed, furnish you with
the number of their elevators?
Mr.. McGee-I will admit that he knows
that. for his salary is based on the number
each has
Mr.. Erwin kept on threshlng out old
straw, and Mr.. McGee instructed Mr..
Irons not to answer for the reason that
the whole ground had been gone over,
the witness excused, and the testimony
declared closed.
Mr.. Erwin moved that the witness be
proceeded against for contempt.
The chairman said he had already de-
cided that the committee had gone be-
yond It's authority, and it had no power
to place the witness in contempt.
Mr.. Moore said the committee had
previously ordered witness under ar
rest, although the question which was
prOpOunded was purely personal one,
referring to trouble with a young lady.
Chairman Geissel-He was only in con-
tempt until he consulted with counsel and it
was dropped.
Mr. Moore-He answered the question.
Gen. Childs-His counsel advised him to
answer under certain restrictions.
The Rupley Matter.
Mr.. Erwin suggested that Mr.. Ripley
be called on for his screening books OF
the Duluth elevator system, and if he
did the old committee, to place him in
contempt.
Mr.. Irons was excused by Chairman
Geissel, and, accompanied by his at
tOrney, Mr.. McGhee, left the room.
Mr.. Erwin continued with the Rupley
matter and said the only way in which
the screening accounts could be reached
was through Rupley's books, and there
was suspicion in the refusal.
Mr.. Geissel said Mr.. Rupley had been
present before this committee. and if
he wasn't called to the stand that wasn't
his fault, and he couldn't be placed in
contempt. Ii he had been called, and
had then refused to present the books
lie could have been declared in con-
tempt.
MIR. Erwin wanted to know if there
wasn't money enough left to subpoena
him now.
Mr.. Geissel said there was some
money left, but it would require con-
siderable sum to carry the committee
through its cons liberation of the evil
dence.
The Ripley matter was unceremoni-
ouSly dropped, and Mr.. Erwin took up
the matter of submitting analysis of the
testimony. He could not read through
1000 pages of evidence aud submit
an analysis in the brief time allotted.
He had not yet received all of the testi-
mony, and it would take him ten days
after he received it to make fair anay-
sis. He didn't care so very much about
it, anyhow, as he should submit an ex-
haustive report to the Grain Growers
association. Later, however. he admit
ted that he should like to submit an
analysis to this committee.
Attention was called to the under
standing that at the conclusion of the
last session of the committee 1t was un-
derstood that the attorneys should make
up their arguments before the commit
tee reassembled. This session was not
expected to be one for the Introduction
OF as much testimony as had been pre-
Sented. -
EryVIn,s Position. ~
A rambling discussion ehsued as to
whether there should be an adjourn
ment of sufficient length of time to give
the attorneys an opportunity to present
their analysis to Gen. Childs and to
give the latter time to formulate an an
alysis therefrom for the committee.
MIR. Erwin took occasion to explain
that his services before this last SESSION
were without expense to the state. He
had been employed by the Grain Grow
ers' association. and intimated that he
should not charge them anything, as
they had already paid him all they
could afford tn. Mr.. Erwin got in
another stump speech. He said the best
interests of the state were involved,
and he would make report to the peo-
pie If he didn't to this committee. But
he would like to submit his views 10 the
attorney general and have them re-
viewed by him and answered by the
elevator companies.
Senator Smith was willing to adjourn
for twenty or twenty-five days If Cas-
well Moore and French would return
then. But if it was proposed to carry
this investigation over into June he
should object.
Gen. Barrett talked of more wit
nesses. He thought Mr.. Chambers and
the price-determining committee Of the
Minneapolis chamber of commerce
should be Subp@naed. He also alluded
to Mr.. Wolcott.
Mr.. Smith didn't think that the COM
mittee would take much stock in VOL
colt with its knowledge of the facts in
the case.
Chairman Geissel doubted if the Min
neapolis committee would testify il
summoned.
Senator Smith thought they would.
Mr.. Erwin read letter from man
at Mayvlle, n. d., relative to trouble
III getting cars from the Great Northern
road when 1t had empty cars oil the
track, and the inability to get site for
a small elevator. The writer had been
told by Mr.. Chase, OF the Great North
ern. that he must build large elevator
or none. He claimed that he had been
forced from business by refusal OF
cars and by combination prices.
The committee decided that it did not
again want to 20 into Dakota.
Gen. Barrett wanted to have j. J.
Hill summoned to give testimony as to
the Great Northern's policy relative to
track buyers. In case Mr.. Hill is alb
sent he would like Vice President
Clough, but it was explained that Mr..
Mohler had already testified on that
point.
Without reaching any determination
as to the future, the committee adj
journed until 10 a. m. today.