St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-20

while a reduction of two cents on
loss to the railroad companies, it
would not be of any great benefit
to the Western farmer, individually.
The latter must rid himself of the
heavy interest charges on debts and
mortgages before he can get out
from under the load that is weigh
ing him down. Three-fourthS of the
money earned by his company in
Washington, he said, goes back to
the citizens of the state.
Senator Little of North Dakota, Rep
resentative Wineman, and in fact, all
of the visitors, expressed themselves
as in no sense hostile to the roads, but
they asserted that the people of their
state feel that better rates can be
made by the railroads, and they would
like to see a voluntary move on the
part of the roads toward an improve
ment.
Senator Cronkhite, of Minnesota,
took prominent part in the discus
sion. from the standpoint of the far
mer and shipper Regarding Mr..
Moore's argument, the senator said
the conditions are not favorable for
dairy farming, egg and potato raising
in Northern and Western Minnesota,
from the fact that profitable market
is not always available. The price thai
can be secured for butter, eggs, pota-
toes and similar products is not sufff-
Gent to allow of a profit, as a rule, when
the cost of shipment is deducted.
When Messrs. Moore and Phinney
had given their opinion to the effect
that rates are about as low now as
the roads can possibly afford to make
them, especially On grain, and had
dwelt especially on the fact that in a
changed method of farming lies the
main hope of
WESTERN PRODUCERS,
Hon. Dan Shell took the floor and said
Il thought we came here with def
mite purpose, and under instructions
to devise some means for securing a
reduction of freight rates on coal, lum-
Der and grain. I did not suppose we
were here to instruct Dakota farmers
as to what they should raise and how
they should raise it. Now, if we can
not go about the specific business these
North Dakota gentlemen are here to
transact, we had better adjourn"
This sentiment met with the ap-
prevail of Senator Cronkhite and others
of the committee. Mr.. Moore ex-
planned, however, that he was merely
speaking of conditions as they exist
and endeavoring to impress upon the
committee the fact that the railroads
are not altogether to blame in the mat
ter.
Mr.. Phlnney, too, asserted that, sc
far as the Great Northern is con-
cerned, they pay more attention tc
the interests of the farmers than the
elevators. He instanced the fact thai
the Great Northern officials have otter
demanded that buyers of grain pay to
the farmers all that the market woulG
warrant, when the elevator men had
evinced disposition to pay less thar
fair market price.
The conference lasted from 2:30 al
most until supper time, but beyond q
general talk pro and con nothina
practical was accomplished. The
railroad men talked very entertaining.
ly of diversified farming, differentials
schedules and possibilities; but it was
plain to be seen they will take the pc.
sition that no further reduction OF
freight rates can be made and allow
a profit to the roads.
Representative Prosser, of North Da
kota, expressed the prevailing senti
ment of his delegation when he said
"a dollar will purchas more of the
commodities of life today than it would
at any time within the past three
years, at least. Now, our people claim
that the rates today are as high a.
they were three years ago, and VIZ
maintain that is unjust I favor {
horizontal reduction of rates that shall
be fair to all concerned
1t is very probable that a bill fo,
such q reduction will be presented anC
pushed in the two legislatures.
Senator Little, of North Dakota, wa.
compelled to leave for home yesterda.
evening.