St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-15
BARRETT GROWS WARM.
The Grain Grower Denounces the
Railroads..

Railroads.
Mr.. Mohler explained, under cross
examination by Mr.. Erwin, that the
Great N0rthern's membership in the
Western Passenger association did not
affect rates to St. Paul, Minneapolis or
Duluth. The Great Northern's policy
had always been distinct.
Attorney Grover explained that the
Eastern Minnesota was a distinct cor
poration, and while there was a joint
contract between it and the Great
Northern. it made 10 lateS for the
Great Northern, or vice versa.
Mr.. Mohler went into an explanation
of tariff matters. In the meantime Gen.
Barrett popped UP ever and anon with
impairment questions, which led At
torney Grover to explain on the side
that the general was bright man, but
one who went through life with pair
of nippers, continually pinching you
enough to make you black and blue, but
never drawing blood"
Mr.. Erwin questioned the witness as
to the reason for higher rates by A (
cents from st. Cloud to Duluth than
between ST. Paul and Duluth. the
former distance being more than thirty
miles shorter Mr. Mohler said the
rate from large number of Great
Northern points was the same TO Min
neapoliS, st. Paul and Duluth. Between
ST. Paul or Minneapolis and Duluth the
freight moves in train lots. and there is
freight both ways, while from st. Cloud
there is perhaps car day to ship to
Duluth.
Gen. Barrett said he wanted to show
that the Great Northern road, by its tariff
sheets, supports the elevator system Of
the state.
Mr.. Mohler-We do not consult the
elevator companies nor take suggestions
from them. The Great Northern road
opened its line on the lakes to force
wheat that way. Before we built that
line whenever we reduced rates to Du-
luth the boats would put theirs up. We
put OH line of boats to stop it. There
are very few points of Importance as
wheat shipping points from which the
rate to Duluth IS not about the same as
to Minneapolis or st. Paul. Mr.. Mohler
said he would like to have Gen. Barrett
come to his office and make tariff. 1t
is impossible to make tariff that will
suit everybody. st. Cloud is of very
little Importance as wheat shipping
point.
Gen. Barrett wanted to know why the
rate between Duluth and st. Paul was
five cents going south, as against seven
and one-twelfth cents going north?
Mr.. Mohler replied that he knew
nothing about the rates OF the Eastern
Minnesota.
Gen. Barrett-We shall prove that
this whole elevator combine depends on
you.
Attorney Grover said that the Twin
City-Duluth rate is fixed by the shorter
line, the Duluth road, which ran no
where else. The other roads must meet
the rate. The rate sheet make the same
rate both ways on grain; but on screen
ings and stuff used by the farmers for
feed. it makes a less rate. That class eff
goods went West. and 1t helped the
country to ship it at lower rate. ut
is we'll enough to know what you are
talking about, before you begin, Gen.
Barrett. We can't be expected to MAIN
tain kindergarten.
Gen. Barrett insisted that the rates
are either the creature of the price lists
and vice versa. "You have to control
the elevators to control your rates."
The railroads had no more right to put
up prices than they had to put them
down. This colossal combination eX-
tends from Bismarck to London, in one
shape or other. I'VE are not here to
look after stealings and screenings, but
to insist that this system be done away
with and the market made free"
Mr.. Grover said there wasn't much
sense in saying anything in reply. Of
2S,G00,000 bushels of wheat shipped over
the Great Northern to Duluth and Min
neapois, One-siXth was from farmers
direct. The balance was through ele-
vators. What would the farmers do
with their grain but for these elevators,
They couldn't take care of it without
them. And it was only just that they
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