Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-17

large committee tonight and tomorrow al
the Teutlemen-thuse Of the sub and main
committeeE-meFt TO discuss the work that
has been done. il is not believed the hill
win undergo many il any material changes
at the hands Of the main committee Yet
it does not look as II the measure would
be introduced FOR some DAYS Rs some Of
the members say they want ample lime in
which 10 study the product Of their lRburr
before finally launching IL on The uncsr-
tain voyage OF the Legislature. Douglas OF
Rock today remarked that be would like
to spend three or four days in reviewing
the bill.
Hearing ON Elevator BIIls.
r. B. Schneider. Fremont. owner and
operator Of grain elevators. asked, What
is competition"
Senator Brady Boone county. replied.
i viii answer that question by relating
a personal experience. ] happened TO be
in the office OF the Omaha Elevator com
pHny al Albion one day when q farmer
drove up with a load Of grain and wanted
10 sell. The manager told him the elevator
was fun and he could not buy. After the
farmer drove away ] asked the manager II
his elevator really WAS full
oh, no. he replied but this not our
DAY TO buy; it's the Schneider elevators
day
The opposite TO that would. in my judE-
ment, be competition"
This colloquy look place tonight befure
the joint house and senate railroad com
mittee in q bearing on the bills 10 enable
farmers to engage in the elevator business
on q cooperative basis.
Ramsey Of Gage is author Of H r 20,
M
der's question was TO show that the scheme
could only result in destroying cumpeti-
tiun and the punEsnf reply had the de-
sired effect Of indicating that there wHs
something Of q combine among the elevator
men This dialogue, therefore fairly set
forth the main issues TO the controversy.
Mr.. Schneider, with 7. n. wkrran Of
Lincoln. Mayor Miles and W. II. FsrEu-
son Of Hastings. represented the elevator
mems side OF the case.
The Brady bill is very brief. II simply
provides that farmers be allowed TO erect
grain elevators on railroad rights-of- -wHy
al a cost OF not less than 81 600 and that
the railroads construct a suitable ride
track 10 each elevator after the latter iB
built II contains a clause imposing a
forfeit Of 81 900 upon railroads failing 10
comply with the provisions OF the bill
withiuE sixty dHyB after its enactment. The
Ramsey bin asks that railroads furnish not
only sidetracks. but terminal facilities at
all large points 10 the farmers for elevators
Of 1900 bushels capacity a Gay, costing
81, 900.
Indications are that the Brady biu Will
be given precedence by the COMMITTEES over
the Ramsey bill Senator Brady has rs
surances Of substantial support for his
measure from members Of the senate.
! Representative Ramsey, in his statement,
I said: The elevator combine makes from
/ TO cents q bushel profit on the grain II
handles The railroads discriminate IN
/ favor Of them. The idea Of my bill ia To
adjust matters no the farmers who raise
/ the grain may sell it. ! think an elevator
/ Of 1000 bushels q day capacity. costing
I 81 200, would meet our needs. Such m
| elevator properly conducted ought To
handle $4,000 bushels OF grain q day II
necessary. believe that If my bin passes
il win never be necessary 10 build an
other farmers elevator because Of the re-
strRining influence the bill Will have on
the elevator combine"
Demands Equal RiEhta.
Senator Brady said. NY bin simply ds-
mands the same right 10 the fHrmsrI thai
others enjoy. il seeks 70 F'imulEts rather
than destroy competition. II is not ths
result Of 8 political movement. as has bser
charged. but the RESPONDS to a general de-
mRnd among farmers"
/ Messrs. Schneider, wErrRll and FsrEu.
son argued that multiplying the numbG o.
I elevators, as these bills contemplated
| would destroy profits and ruin trade: thG,
there were nov all the elevators necessary
profit on grain was more like I cent
bushsl Than 70 :: that there were NOR
failures in the grain business than rhi
average. that railroads did not diserimi
nate in their favor and that the effect o
these bills would be 10 destroy composition
The farmer wants 10 sell his own grAii
30 that he may get the highest mArks
price and come out even. not asking q
make any profit How long could vs sta,
I in business against such q u0mbtDs a
that" asked T. 3. Schneider.
A strong elevator combine ought 20 ,
able 10 stay IN business against 3 few veal
Affairs such Es ours necessarily WUuli
be" replied Senator Brad.
Senator Harrison chairman OF ths com
mittes asked Mr.. Schneider what be Uoui
say as 10 the combination between his an
the Omaha company 81 Albion, 10 whie'
Senator Brady referred.
Nothing. ] can neither deny or confirm
do not attend 70 the details o. our bust
ness there. But II there was a notEbl
combine ] think ] would know Of n, wa
the answer.
T. D. WErrEn and ". n Ferguson sal
II any SET o. farmers would put up 8 sub
stEutiEl bond they would contract 10 hELai
al their grain al profit Of ] cent a buEhs
They sought 10 impress on the farmer
that there Was no money IN the grain buEi
ness and urged them 70 stay ouf Of II c
they would suffer financially.
why the EnSrts
This lee senator Brady 70 remark thEt