St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-23
F. A. DAY UP A TREE
f,HE LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS EX-
PERIENCE WITH WAREHOUSE
COMMISSIONERS.
WEIGHMASTERS AND THIEVES.
HOW A FAIRIONT-MINNEA
SENSATION WAS RUN TO
EARTH.
GvEIGHMASTERS AND THIEVES
SCALES CAUSED ALL THE TROUBLE
So the Martin County Editor Pro-
ceeded to "Come Down
the Tree"

In the annual report of the railroad and
Warehouse commission, which has just been
published, extracts of which published
in the o be yesterday, appears the fol-
lowing of interest to many on THE Country
Elevator and Grain Law"
''The administration of the laws relating to
the grain business Of the state, both at coun-
try points and at terminals, is a part, and by
no means small part of the duties of this
commission. For the details of this work we
refer to the report of the chief grain in
spector and state weighmasters, but for the
purpose of illustrating the character of some
Of the complaints in this regard from coun-
try points and how such complaints are in
vestigated by the commission we append the
following correspondence
1 FaiTmont, Mimi. Aug; Il: 1895.
Hon. George L. Becker, st. Paul, MINI.
Dear Sir: Facts have recently been
brought to my knowledge which lead me to
believe that grain is being Systematically
stolen from cars in the Minneapolis yards
especially on the Chicago, Milwaukee & st.
Paul railway tracks.
The Ward-Cadwell company of this place.
carefully weighs every car they ship and for
some time past there has been large short
ages at the Minneapolis yards. They ship to
other points and have no trouble. Other buy
ers here make same complaints. 1 would sug-
gest that you put detective to work and
ascertain If gang Of weighmasters are not
working in cahoots with thieves who are en-
gagged in wholesale system of robbery.
From my own personal knowledge I know
that there is good ground for believing that
something is rotten in the state service at
Minneapolis
Kindly give this matter your early atten-
ton and oblige, yours truly,
Frank A. Day.
Upon receipt of the above the commission
directed that a thorough investigation be
made at the Minneapolis elevators where the
grain OF above-named shippers had been re-
ceived; nothing being found wrong there,
the commission directed that its scale expert
ana It's supervisor of country elevators go
to Fairmont and test the scales at the ship
ping elevator. The following report shows
that the trouble was found there.
"a copy of the report, together with the fol-
lowing letter, was sent to the complainant:
Hon. Frank A. Day, Lieutenant Governor
Fairmont, MINI.
Dear Sir: Referring to your letter of Aug.
II, relative to the complaint of the Ward
CALDWELL company, of your town, of shortages
In grain weights at Minneapolis, we have to
say, that the commission has undertaken to
investigate the matter with view of To-
catllg the trouble. and for the purpose of
applying a remedy To this end, Mr. Bur-
alck, , our supervising inspector of country
eleVators, and Mr.. Berry, our scale expert
were sent to Fairmont to examine into the
condition there.
Herewith we send you copy of their re-
port which, we think, properly locates the
difficulty --0
lnasmuch however, as you state in your
letter that other buyers at Fairmont make
similar complaints, and that from your own
personal knowledge there is good ground for
DeneVlng that something is rotten in the state
service in Minneapolis, the commission have
deemed 1t advisable to call upon you for
such information as you may have upon these
points before closing the investigation.
trusting you will do all in your power to
ald the commission in this matter | am for
the commission, yours truly,
George T, Reokar
ST. PAUL, Aug. "a, 1S95-To the Railroad
and Warehouse Observation-Disclosures: In
the matter OF shortage in shipments COM
planned of by the Ward & Caldwell COMPANY.
port: Ae
IN accordace with your instructions. and
accompanied by L. D. Berry, of the weigh
ing department, we proceeded to Fairmont on
the Zzd, and upon arrival there interviewed
the parties complaining, who expressed them
serves as highly pleased at the interest taken
IN thelr case by your board and also ex
pressed desire and willingness upon their
part Ior the fullest investigation In the mat
Ter, ana II the trouble was in their elevator
tney wanted it corrected at once, no matter
at what cost. Nv "''e'
Their house is a well-constructed house and
Is Is operated by gasoline engine, the party
IN charge having been in their employ some
three years, and in whom they have the nj
most confidence. 1t is equipped with two
sets OF Fairbank scales one set of 1000
POUNDS capacity used for weighing in'' from
the farmers wagons, and another of Is 600
pounds capacity situated in the top of the
elevator and used for weighing OUT or
shipping out of the house to other points.
1t is what is technically termed half carr