St. Paul daily globe., 1892-09-18
RINGsTERs' PROFITS.
How the Farmers Were Mulcted
Out of Their Hard Earnings.

1t is shown that the elevator COM
panies paid in October, 1889, 81 cents
Per bushel for wheat at CrooKston.
MINI This wheat was sold in Mime.
apoliS for " cents, and Duluth for rs
cents. The difference between the price
the elevator company paid for it and
tne price they got for it was therefore
10 and II cents. They paid freight on
1t OF 1019 cents per bushel, so that the
net profit was 51a and GlS cents OH every
bushel of wheat. This is net, and after
all expenses of handling and freight
have been. paid. The output of wheat
Ill the Northwestern country is, on an
average, 100,000.000 bushels per year.
In many eases the profits were much
higher than these igures-in some cases
running to 10. Is and 20, and even 25
cents per bushel. In. one month, it is
shown, bushel Of wheat at Fargo, n.
D., was bought at profit of 20 cents
between Fargo and Minneapolis, and
repeated instances are enumerated of
TINS tremendous profit in the buying
and selling by the elevator COM
panes of wheat. The showing derives
added importance and significance from
Charles A. PillSbury's written state
ment TO Mr.. Arnold, of Latimore. that
there was no money in the elevator buSi-
ness and that the loss by the elevator
companies had been very great for a
number of years. This statement is
shown to be one of series of repeated
misrepresentation by the alleged con-
splrators to ease the minds of the farm
ers, who believed, although they had
never before had any positive proof,
that they were being deprived of more
than the rightful profit accruing to the
handlers Of wheat 1t is also evident
that if the combine did not prevent COM
petition and make it impossible for the
farmers to ship the wheat themselves,
the farmers could do so and make this
profit OF 61a cents or more per buShel
themselves. Great stress is laid upon
the alleged continued and persistent
misrepresentation by the sO-called
combine as to profits in the wheat COM
bine.
Proof of the elevator companies know
ing OF the robberles by the elevator
agents is purported to be given in a
number OF instances, one of which re-
lateS how country agent for we'll
known elevator company had an over
run, so-called, but which is understood
to be merely steal, of 10000 bushels of
wheat. 1t is alleged that this elevator
company had repeatedly written the
agent encouraging him to bring his ele-
yator out ahead at the end of the year.
! 1t is said to be common practice of the
elevator companiesY to terrorize their
z agents into stealing from the farmers by
various tricks and devices. One of the
Pilisbury elevators, the Minneapolis &
Northern Elevator company, is charged
Ito have paid for many years a bonus
OF from $50 to $500 to its country agents
when they brought their elevators out
ahead. In the instance above referred
to the agent had been told that the COM
pany would make it satisfactory to him,
and he expected something in the way
of liberal compensation, but was very
much disgusted when presented with
$3.50 gold watch and chain. 1t is said
that he determined to steal for himself
thereafter, and did so with such success
that he is now the owner of system of
elevators III the Northwest, and is a
member of the alleged combine.