Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-07-06
NOT TO STOP AT
ELEVATOR PROBE.
Prosecutions Are Planned by the Inter
state Commerce Commission
in West

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 29.-Not
only will the government investigate the
grain elevator business, as required by
the La Toilette resolution adopted by the
Senate the other day, but it will prose-
cute any of those found guilty of violat-
ing the law, and will proceed against the
alleged combine itself if the facts war
rant such action.
1t develops that the administration in
tends to pursue the same policy toward
the grain elevator trust that it has fol-
lowed in the coal and oil Investigations.
Commerce Commission Busy.
The Interstate Commerce commission
finds itself embarrassed in the prosecu-
ton of this grain investigation because
it has its hands full with inc inquiry into
the coal and OH question, Chairman
Knapp and former Senator COckrell are
continuing the inquiry into the coal situa
ton. Commissioners prouty and Clements
are IN Louisiana and IeNaS regarding
Standard Oil.
1t is the purpose of the commission to
urge President Roosevelt to enlarge its
membership without delay The men
President Roosevelt is expecting to name
are Franklin Lane of California, James
Harlan of Chicago, and E. +. Clark of
Iowa. As Clark and Harlan are from
the district in which elevators operate to
considerable extent they have been sug
Sested as a subcommittee to make the
grain investigation.
Stickney Alleges Graft.
Evidence is pouring in from various
sources for the purpose of establishing
the charges made by Senator La Fol
lette. a. b. Stickney, president of the
Chicago Great Western company, was
in Washington a few days ago, and con-
ferred with the commission with a view
to securing an investigation of the grain
elevator service given by Peavey Il Co.
at Omaha, Kansas City, and Council
Bluffs, and by the Transmississippi
Grain company at Council Bluffs and
other points.
Ihe interstate commerce commission
had determined to investigate the al
legged relations before the La Toilette
resolution was passed. 1t will not make
special inquiry into Stickney's charge
in this respect, but will examine the
situation in Omaha, Kansas City, and
Council Bluffs in conjunction with a
general investigation, which will include
the conduct of elevators at Chicago.
Minneapolis, Duluth, Buffalo, and other
points.
La Toilette Is on Guard.
Senator La Toilette is following the
| action OF the interstate commerce COM
mission with the closest attention.
Every mail brings me additional evil
dence against the elevator trust" he
said. which will be of material assist
| ance in pursuing the investigations OF
course. l shall see that this evidence
reaches the commission. 1t confirms, as
| the testimony the commission may take
| will confirm, everything | have asserted,
not only in speaking in support of my
resolution. but hundreds of times in
speeches in the west. l have simply
| offered the grain elevator combination
| as an illustration of the manner in
which all our markets are controlled
Stickney charged that corporations
collected tolls from the railroads for the
! elevation, transfer, loading or unloading
of grain transported by railroads and de-
clared that the Union Pacific had en-
| tered into a secret contract with Peavey
& Co. and the Trans Mississippi COM
pany to make them an allowance of IL
cents q hundredwelght on all grain
shipped to their elevators and switched
free for them only between Omaha and
! Council Bluffs.
Approves Plan to Aid Farmers
WASHINGTON, D. c., June %
4 treaty of much Importance has been
ratified by the Senate 1t is designed to
create an international institute of agri-
culture, having its seat in Rome. The
! object is to minimize wildcat speculation
| in agricultural commodities, by having all
! the governments concerned collect and
| publish crop statistics promptly. The in
stitute is to be composed of representa-
tives of the leading nations of the world.
When the railroad rate bill was re-
ported yesterday Senator Elllins gave no
| tice that he should file a minority report
stating the reasons of five members of
| the committee in not cOncurring. During
the recess of Congress it will be brought
out 1t will be signed by Senators
Elkins. Foraker, Kean, Crane and Aid
rich.