The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-02-17
ON THE WAR PATH.
FARMERS IN OPEN s,REvoLT.
They Demand Cheaper Rates on the Railroads
and the Election of Railroad Commits sioners
by the Vote of the People-Proceedings
of the Fergus Falls Convention.

Fergus Falls, Feb. 13.-Seventh Con
gressional district representatives
mum be ring over 100 met in convent iou
today in two busy sessions, and took
important steps for an educational
campaign to reduce railway rates.
After six hours Of discussion 1t was
resolved to introduce in the present
legislature bill to establish in Min
nesota the Iowa system OF distance
tariff and the legislative mem RS
present were made a committee to
draft bill and push 1T to enactme Mt.
James A. Brown Of the Fergus Falls
chamber of commerce, called the con-
vention to order at 10 a. m. and tated
its purpose. Attorney f. E.. Corliss of
Fergus Falls, was elected chairman,
and Hans p. Bjorge was made secre-
tary. A committee on resolutions was
appointed as follows: B. f. Partridge,
Otter Tail county; J. S. Arneson,
Grant; e. S. Campbell, Douglass; N
II. MOen, Norman; Senator Ringdal,
Polk; p. II. Konzen, Kittson; james
Shea, Clay; J. II. Grass, Otter Tai.
A committee Of one from each coun-
ty represented was constituted to
push the rate reduction campaign. to-
wit: J. A. Brown, Otter Tail, chair.
man; H. K White, Douglas; 90. Can
estorp, Grant; Henry Feig, Kandiyohi;
Gen. Barrett, Stevens; L. Balentine,
Wilkin; Dennis McGrath, Clay; j. II.
Smith, Becker; A. M. Eckman, Nor
man; NJ. A. Grow, Kittson; P. NJ Ring
dial, Polk; G. p. Reeves, Pope; Charles
Moody, Rosseau; Paul Ware, Red Lake;
Andrew Peterson, Traverse; George r.
Roberts, Marshall; e. T. Young, Swift;
L. Erickson, Big Stone; DR.. Ornich,
Beltrami.
The resolutions committee have a
detailed report reciting the evils Of
the existing terminal tariff rates and
demanding radical change of the
system to the Iowa distance tariff sys-
tenn and the election Of railway COM
missioners by the people, and called
upon the Legislature and the people
or other districts for cooperation.
The resolutions adopted without d.
vision. Senator Rngdal of Polk
county delivered an hours address on
the evils of Minnesota rate discrimin-
alton and on the provisions Of the
4OWd Sy StClu liz WlUIl III 1ull
records Of the Iowa system and re-
suits, tariff sheets. state reports and
statistics.
Henry Feig of Kandiyohi county,
roasted" the railway commission to
turn, pronounced it farce control
led by railways and demanded it's
election by the people. He also es-
poused the Iowa system. Elk Judge
Williams Of the state railway com
mission took exception to some OF Mr.
Feig's remarks.
Secretary Teisberg Of the state rail-
way commission was a keen observer
Of the proceedings: He was called
out, but declined to speak except to
say, Il came to listen"
Senator Cole of Otter Tail said the
state senate would pass the measure
demanded by this convention. MesSrs.
Clayton of Perham. Is. +. Partridge of
Fergus Falls, and j. r. Hcino of New
York Mills told how rate discrimina-
ton ruined the industries of the
nothern MINES Ota towns. Mr.. Camp
bell, the Alexandria miller, told how
barrel OF flour cost him 20 cents to
haul to West Superior, POO miles, the
same as from Superior to Baltimore,
| 400 miles. Ii. L. Burgess, p. H.
konzen and other Red River valley
farmers told how they gave one
fourth of their corp to Jim Hill and
the n. p to haul TO market and how
all Red River valley farmers were on
the warpath for reduced rates.
Representative S. A. StockWell of
Hcnnepin stated how, as a Mime
apolis member, he would work for
their measures on the ground that
the farmers prosperity was the foun-
dation of all pros perity. city and
country alike. II. P. Bjor5e told how
railways killed his distance tariff bills
closed with enthusiasm and general
purpose to do prompt and effective
business at the present legislative
session.
ANOTHER REPORT.
Fergus Falls, Feb 13.--Globe Special
In spite of the blizzard and heavy
snow storm the freight rate conven-
Uion for the Seventh congress iOnal
district, held in this city today, was
attended by upwards OF 100 delegates
representing counties all the way
from kittSOn to StearnS. Among
those attending were about tive ty-
five senators and representatives. e.
SOIllSS, VI Il CI 3 40 J. ais, w dS ClCCU-
ed chairman; HIP. Bjorge, Underwood,
secretary. At the forenoon session,
committees OH credentials and resolu-
tions were appointed. A strong set of
resolutions was presented when the
convention convened, and the after
noon was devoted to their discussion.
Among the speakers were Senator
Ringdahl, Of Crookston, who present
ed many facts and statistics to show
discrimination in freight rates
against this part Of the state; Repre-
sentative Feig, OF Willmar, who de-
clared the present system Of regula-
tion by commission all wrong; Repre-
sentative Stockwel, of Minneapolis.
who exposed himself in favor Of leg.
islatiye action and promised his sup.
port to bill equalizing and reducing
rates; Senator Cole, Of Fergus Falls,
who pointed out that the Iowa law
has been proved constitutional and
therefore IA good one to adopt; Messrs.
Clayton. of Perham; B. F. Partridge,
OF Fergus Falls; G. S. Campbell, of
Alexandria, manufacturers and ship
pers, who gave personal Incidents OF
the inequality Of the present rates;