The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-29

Ex-Attorney General Geo. p. Wilson,
of Minneapolis. and Attorney Beck con-
ferred with the members Of the railroad
and warehouse commission yesterday
with reference to the proposed action of
the commission men of the state in car
rying their case into the United States
supreme court, and for the purpose of
making application to the commission In
behalf of the interested commission E1er-
chants. to have proceedings against them
provided for by the Grindeland bill in
cases Of nonconformance with the pro-
visions Of the law, deferred for ten days,
to permit the filing Of papers in further
action.
Mr.. Wilson represents the interests of
the grain. commission men of the state
and Mr.. Beck those of the produce men
> Both were agreed that the recent defeat
of the commission men in court laid
them liable to arrest for not securing
licenses for the transaction of their bust
ress, and yet thought it reasonable to
ask the commission not to take action
until the different merchants interested
could arrange on their future course and
take measures looking to further contest
on the points of the Objectionable bill.
The produce men of the state are not
interposing serious objection to the en-
fcrcement Of the law and many have al
ready applied for license blanks. The
grain men, however, object seriously.
Mr. Wilson stated that 1t will be almost
impossible for them to comply with the
provisions of the law and furnish bond,
since their business Of last year, on which
the bond Is issued on basis of 10 per
J. cent. makes the amount Of the surety
large. In many instances the bond re
CURED by law would run into figures Of
more than million of dollars. To fur
n:sh such pond imposes serious difficult
ties.
In the case of the produce men, the
difficulties are not as great, for the rea-
son that their business Is generally small
er and more easily accounted The grain
men hold that for twenty years they
have transacted business without IL
cense and that 1t is too late to begin
how. They also object on the ground
that the produce merchants are the ones
against whom the bill should apply, since
their transactions are alleged by the
grain men to have been the original cause
Of the. introduction Of the measure In the
legislature
As,nfher point on which both attorneys
raised objections, Is the clause in the
form of affidavit for Individual surety
on bond which requires sureties to make
sworn statements of their personal as
sets and liabilities. The question raised
involves the right of the commission to-
ina;fire into a mans private business
hevoHd.~ securing his sworn statement
that he is worth sufficient to reasonably
cover the liability incurred by signing the
hcpd In the case Of bond by surety
company, issued according to the present
requirement, considerable Of a financial
statement would be required. The al?e5ed
infringement of personal rights, IN making
pub;ic the inside financial condition OF
su,eties, Is a point which suggests to the
aftorneys that it will be almost tmpossl-
HE for the commission men to OBTAIN
s,,reties other than those furnished by
surety companies.
Attorney Wilson stated that the case
will be taken into the United States SUI
nreme court on writ OF error.
Gen. Becker and Judge Mias OF the
commission, went on record as opposed
tn the form of bond prepared, ana ala
not consider it just one to enforce.
The commissioners took no action con-
corning the delay asked for and VIII con-
suit.