Morris tribune., 1892-04-13
INVESTIGATION ENDED.
THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES FIN
kSHES ITS LAeoRS

kSHES ITS LAeoRs
Aud Gives the Result OF Ita Deliberate ens
TO the Publie-Duluth Elevator CoM-
panies Not Thought to Have Praetieed
Any Fraud-No Combine Between Ele-
vaters and Railroads-Commitree Rec
lamentations.
ST. PAUL, April S.-The grain investi-
cation committee has concluded its
work and viii make two reports to the
governor. Representative Moore re-
fused to affix his signature on the
ground that he did not like the report.
1t is understood he will present mi
nority report.
The first matter touched upon relates
to the cleaning of cars at Duluth. The
committee finds that there probably
was some laxity in the matter during
the earlier period of inspection, but that
as soon rs the attention of the elevator
companies was called to the evil meas
ures were adopted to remedy it.
. The next matter touched upon is
that of shipping wheat at night with
out inspection. Upon this subject the
committee says:
Testimony was received tending to
establish the charges SO made, and
were it not for other evidence subse-
quently discovered the committee feel
that they would have been amply justi-
fed in finding the charge so made in the
main true. ~
There is no question but that in 1886
and subsequent years the two elevator
companies named did ship in round
numbers from their houses at night,
without the knowledge of the employees
of the said state departments, $50, 900
bushels of wheat. After the fact of
such shipment had been substantially
established by the testimony of wit
nesses the said elevator companies ad-
mitted that large volume of wheat
had been secretly shipped from their
houses without either inspection or
weighing.
The evidence sufficiently establishes
the fact that large amount of wheat
became heated in the bins and almost
totally ruined. The committee find
that the matter was brought by the said
companies to the attention of the rail-
road and warehouse commission, and
that after the mature deliberation Of
that body the elevator companies were
given the authority to secretely dispose
Of the wheat; and it is fair to believe
that the irregular shipments testified to
by witnesses were none other than
those made in pursuance of the permis-
sion thus obtained. The committee
have no doubt that the action of the
commission in directing the secret ship
ment of said injured grain was
prompted by the highest considerations
of public policy, and amply warranted
both by provisions of the law and the
existing facts.
The committee further finds that the
charge of shipment of $4,000 bushels
from the same elevators without inspec-
ton or weighing was substantially true,
the fact being admitted by the elevator
companies. The companies claim, how
ever, that the amount so shipped was
an overage which was on hand at the
time they began to do business under
the inspection law. This wheat, the
committee believes, the elevator COM
panies should have caused to be sim
spected in" at the time the inspection
laws went into effect. That it was not
done was probably due, the committee
thinks, to misapprehension of their
duties rather than desire to evade the
law.
The next matter of importance
touched upon is that of the alleged ele-
vator combination. The committee
finds on this subject that there is no
evidence which would establish the
fact of such a com animation among
the elevator companies of Minnesota, or
between the elevator and railroad COM
panies. '- '. s
The committee finds that the produc-
ing interests of the state are at this time
as they have been for long time in the
p.st, the victims of grain manipulators
throughout the country.
The committee recommends legisla-
tion to correct abuses as follows:
l. Ali the railroad companies of and
doing business in this state should be
required to construct and maintain
track scales.
2. All public warehouses should be
required by law to ascertain at least
once during each crop year the amount
of wheat in their bins and the amount
of outstanding warehouse receipts.
8. In view of the great Importance
of the subject and the vast inter-
ests involved, the committee without
committing itself to any policy of legis-
lation, earnestly recommend that the
next legislature consider the advisa-
bility of passing law providing
contiguous to deep water, at
public expense, warehouses sufficiently
large to afford storage without mixing
the grain of differnt grades, for grain
produced in this state, and for which
service the state shall receive or may
impose moderate charae.
4. Furthermore, the committee would
recommend that the next legisla-
ture. either by memorial to congress
or otherwise, take some steps to
counteract the evil influence of wheat
gambling at Chicago and other great
grain Centers.
s. The committee would recon-
mend, if practicable, that public ele-
vators be required to construct scales
and weigh grain upon the ground floor
before the grain is elevated, so that the
unloading Of cars may be under the
supervision of state weighers.
The total cost of the investigation
wos $S,807.96.
Minority Report.
81. PAUL. April 1.-THE minority re-
port on the wheat Investigation now
being prepared by Attorney Erwin and
to be signed by Committeeman Moore