St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-09
GETTING AT FACTS.
Extremely Interesting Session of
the Coal Combine Investigate
ing Committee.
Indications That the Grand jury
May Be Called on to Take
Hand in the Case.

The committee appointed by the leg
islature toinquire into the causes which
led to the present high prices of coal,
and to report thereon, held four-hour
session last night in the Metropolitan
hotel. Owing to the absence of the
chairman at another legislative commit
tee meeting, the chair was temporary
hlled by Representative Boggs, of Du-
luth, but about 8 o'clock Senator Don
nelly put i'll an appearance and con-
Quoted the deliberations until mid
night.
The witnesses examined were Charles
M. Reeve, Minneapolis: John A. Chan
dler, general agent Milwaukee road; E.
w. Winter, general manager Omaha
road; w. S. Mellen, general manager
Northern Pacific; John Goodnow. GOAL
dealer, Minneapolis; and John j.
Rhodes, manager of the bureau of coal
statistics, of this city. The rep
resentatives of the several rail
roads were examined at length
by Representative Walsh on
the tariff on coal through the state with
view of reducing the same, aud cOnse-
quently pulling down the price of coal
bituminouS coal from Duluth to st.
Paul is but 81 per ton, that on anthracite
coal is Sl.50 per ton, notwithstanding
The fact that the costs for both commod-
tiles for railway expenses are the same.
A very Interesting witness was Mr..
Reeve, of Minneapolis, who was for
merly manager of the Minnesota Coal
association, with fixed salary of $1,000
year. He gave full history of the
combination which existed previous to
Mr.. Rhoues' coming upon the scene.
The wholesale dealers paid fee of $1,000
each, which, together with percentage
on the quantity of coal each handled,
amounted to $4,000. and each signed
articles of agreement To maintain at the
peril OF forfeiture of their fee or heavy
line, high standard of prices in coal.
The retail dealers paid a fee of 500,
part Of which was forfeited whenever
any one of them violated the contract,
and sold coal at less than the prices
dictated by the wholesale dealers. He
resigned the position at the Inaugural
ton of the present system of combine
ton because be did not approve of it.
MI Goodnow testified to the manner
in which the present system is carried
INTO effect. Upon being closely pressed
as to whether he ever sold coal at less
than 1885 a ton, as commanded by the
circular issued by Mr.. Rhodes, he
answered in the affirmative. when he
got the contract of supplying the Min
neapolis postoffice. For the purpose Of
putting his competitors ''otf the scent"
he put in his bid in the name of his
clerk at IS ton and got the contract.
lie purchased the coal by which this
contract was filled from Duluth, but re-
fused to say at what price.
This refusal riled the senator from
Dakota. who informed the witness that
the committee had the full power of the
state at its back and would insist on an
answer. whatever the consequence.
For a time it would seem that the wit
ness would be given i'll charge of the
sergeant at arms, but Representative
Boggs poured oil on the troubled waters,
and 1t was decided that the committee
would hold an executive session upon
the matter, and the witness who had
given his evidence in such a straight
forward way was allowed TO give way
to another.