The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-15
STATE WEIGHMASTER REESE RE-
PORTS TO RAILROAD COMMITS
SIONERS.
REVIEW OF THE LAST YEAR.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS HANDLED
OVER $4,000 CARS DURING
THE YEAR.
SHORTAGES THAT DO NOT Occur
Caused by False Estimates of
Observation-Disclosures Are Usual
Iy Discovered.

The annual report of G. M. Reese,
state weighmaster. was submitted to
the state railroad and warehouse com
mission yesterday. The report covers
the year ending Aug. 81, 1896. and says
the year has been the second largest
in the history of the department, that
Of 1892 only SURPRISING it in number
OF cars weighed: but this years re-
ceipts are greater as compared with
1892, on account Of the increase in the
fees Of 8 cents per car for weighing.
The report says in part: 1.-THE total
revenue for the year has been $40
1856 and disbursements SAT, 1861, Ieav-
ing a surplus of $2,029.2 rs. 1t has
been possible to give at all points
where we weigh the very best of serv-
ice by assigning two weighers to some
of the larger elevators during the bust
est season and giving equally good
attention to the minor by having one
nan constantly stationed at the place
assigned to him.
1.-THE state, in it's supervision of the
weighing of cereals consigned to termi-
nal points, stand in the position Of
arbitrator between shipper and receiv-
err 1t treats both with equal fairness
and protects their interests alike. Diff
ferences arising are adjusted after a
careful and exhaustive examination
has been had as to probable cause.
and the decision arrived at and rem
dered thereupOn is, as a rule, accepted
by either side without question.
Shortages complained of are, as a
rule, found to be without justification,
oTn6 ~ n ,,-~I - Ii .
mates Of weights when shipper pos
sesses no facilities for weighing and in
the inaccuracy of his scales when he
does, or, in discrepancies in the man
ner Of his handling. When repeated
complaints from one point are re-
ceived, so as to justify an investigation,
the state. makes an investigation into
shippers facilities and most always is
able to point out to him the Irregular
ty. Instance of such a nature are nu-
merOuS IN our experience. Actual short
ages occur through using imperfectly-
coopered cars for shipment, through
leak of the same, and in the use of bad
order cars as well as cars having their
floors covered with manure lime, coal
dust and other offensive ingredients.
By proper exercise of care in these
respects, shippers car largely prevent
loss to themselves.
1.-THE railroad yards in the city are
so extensive that they afford to the
thief excellent opportunities for theft
and which he apparently is not slow in
availing himself Of. The department
cannot be held responsible for losses
caused by theft and can only call at
tention to the fact thai losses do occur
from this cause. Although we have no
fund at u command Which can be
devoted to the suppression of the evil
mentioned, this department has, never
theless, done much to check it and has
been instrumental in securing several
convictions for the commitment of
this very offense.
1.-THE force of the department
has been increased in number
by two and is now COM
posed as follows: One state weigh
master, n assistant weighmasteF,
two clerks, one ~stenographer, one scale
expert and fOrty-three weighers."
The total number Of bushels Of grain
weighed into and out Of elevators and
mills during the wear was.