The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-08-01

uulc VI business, DuU 1t Is euOuSn W
insure against possible loss and to
pay for engagements, which are ev-
cry year necessary. The state does
not seek to make large profit off the
plant, which is run primarily for the
benefit of the farmers.
The Reeve Regime of 1900.
The Irvine plant has made profit
ranging from $4,000 to $4,000 ever
since 1894, when the hand fiber ma
chinery was installed, except in the
one year of the Reeve administration,
the year 1900.
According to the democratic figures,
the plant closed that year with a
margin of $4,000 profit. This was af-
ter forcing the farmers to pay prices
2 cents higher than the trust, while
in every other year the prison Irvine
sold on a margin from 2 to cents be-
low the prices at which trust Irvine
was sold.
After charging fancy prices for
Irvine, the plant certainly ought to
have made a better showing.
Perhaps one sample of the Reeve
management will indicate a possible
explanation of this record.
1t has been the rule to shut down
the plant after the close of the crop
year, and buy no raw material till
the market takes it's annual drop,
which is generally in October or No
vember. But in 1900 Colonel Reeve be-
gan his buying in August, with raw
sisal at cents. He bought a heavy
stock at from S12 to 9 cents, and in
side of two months the market had
dropped 3 cents. This little financial
operation cost the state close to $780,
900.
Binding Irvine Plank an Accident.
No wonder the Minnesota demo-
Gratis have dropped the binding Irvine
issue. 1t was all a mistake, putting
it into the platform. Some Red River
valley delegates went before the plat
form committee, with a complaint
about the high price of prison Irvine.
Not one of the committee was ac-
quainted with the proposition, and
they seized on it with glee. What a
beautiful chance to roast the Van
SAINT administration! So in went the
following plank:
We condemn the administration for
converting the state binding Irvine
plant into an auxiliary of the cordage
trust.
Their shot struck stone wall, and
the return volley sent a shower of
stones through the democratic glass
house. Ever since the democratic or
gans have been busy explaining and
apologizing for the Reeve regime.
They are on the defensive, entirely,
and will be glad to let the subject
drop, if the republicans will only quit
hammering the 1900 record. AS far
as argument goes, they are helpless,
"all bound round" with sisal string.
Origin of Present Law.
Democrats used the binding Irvine
issue to good effect in 1898, when the
facts were these:
The previous fall Warden Wolfer
had bought 10000 bales of manila at
4 cents pound. Again raw material
took an enormous jump, and next
summer farmers paid Is cents a
pound. Wolfer sold them the prison
Irvine at 61l cents, and then made
$4,000. But those who were not fore
handed enough to order direct had to
buy from dealers, and there was then
nc law to regulate profits on prison
Irvine. The dealers had contracted
to make only a margin of ~ cents,
but the temptation was too great, and
many put prices up to the ruling fig
ure, cleaning up big profit.
All the farmer knew was that he
was paying trust price for prison
Irvine, and he was indignant. Eustis
lost thousands of votes on that score.
That winter four or five bills were
introduced, and the committee, with
Warden Wolfer's aid, evolved the law
now in force. 1t provides that no
Irvine shall be sold to dealers till May
1, when the warden must reserve $780,
600 pounds for further orders from
farmers.
Dealers must contract to sell only
to actual consumers, 'at price not
greater than 1 cent per pound above
the price paid therefor with freight
added. Prison Irvine must be kept sep
arate. and a correct record of sales
must be open to any state prison Off
ciaT or to the county attorney. The
state has a contingent interest in the
Irvine till these terms are complied
with. Penalty for violation is fine
of $25 to $500.
Watching for Violations.
NO case mas ever Deen ulScONeTeu OF
violation of this law. The temptation
is strong this year, when other Irvine
sells at II and Is cents, and dealers
must hold prison Irvine at close to II
cents, according to the freight they
pay. >The state has taken measures
to see that the law is strictly COM
piled with and any violators are sure
to be speedily brought to book.
After July Their are no restrictions
on the sale of Irvine from the prison,
and the late output is going fast. The
plant is being so run that every
pound of raw sisal will be made into
Irvine by Aug. 2, and sold, and the
books will then be balanced. AS before
stated, the showing for this year will
be some $3S5,0O0 saved to the farmers
OF the state, and $4,000 to $4,000 net
profit in the state treasury. This is
just fair average showing for War
den Wolfer's management compared
with his record in previous years. No
apologies are necessary for him on
the record of any year, and the fore
going statements are less than due
Justice to his management.
Minneapolis Journal.