The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-12
CALL CONFERENCE
ON NEW GRAIN LAW
WISCONSIN COMMISSIONERS TO
HOLD IMPORTANT MEETING.
Operations Under the Amended Meas
ure Passed by Special Session Of
Legislature Will Be Decided Upon
Question Of Collection of Inspection
Fees May Be Fought in the Courts.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal. ~
Superior, Wis, Jan. Recommendations Swan
consin grain and warehouse commission from
that state. will arrive in this city either Sat
urday or Monday, and conference will be held
at that time between the three commissioners
and the attorneys and different officers of the
commission. This is expected to result in some
important announcements In connection with the
plans of the organization. Commissioner Shana-
han of Buffalo, N. Y, is already here for the
conference. F.. e..
One of the principal questions for the COM
mission to decide will be in regard to the opera
bill passed at the special session of the Wis
consin legislature. The amendments give the
commission numerous additional powers and SIM
plify the effective operation Of the law.
One of the matters that has been causing the
friends Of the Wisconsin law a great deal Of
worry has been decided by the opponents who
have announced that fees for the inspection and
weighing of grain will be collected. By the
terms of the amendments the railroads to col
lect the inspection fees from the persons to
whom the grain is delivered along with the
transportation charges These fees will then be
turned over to the commission. g.. -
The first payment of fees has been made and
several other payments are due. They, will be
made on the first Of the week. according to an
announcement by the roads, thus solving one OF
the difficulties that has confronted the commits
sion, that Of securing enough money for operat-
ing expenses. Until now, the inspection system
has been maintained almost entirely by the
charity Of Superior business men and members
Of the Superior Board Of Trade, there having
been no income from any other source.
Legal Fight for Fees.
The fees for the inspection work done last
fall will not be paid without legal fight, and
the commissions attorneys are awaiting the re-
suit of the conference before beginning an action
to recover The exact amount Of the back fees
has not been ascertained, but it will be well
into the thousands of dollars Along with this
action several other legal suits will be begun.
After the conference, which will dispose OF
the detailed work of the inspection system, the
grain fight will center in the courts. The day
Of clashes between Wisconsin and Minnesota in
spectors and the allied interests are apparently
over, and the future clashes will be made by the
attorneys under the eyes Of the courts Of the
state.
There are several suits pending at the present
time. One is in the municipal court, one II
the federal court Of this district. one in the
superior court and one in the circuit court. Al
of these, except the federalcourt suit may bt
carried to the supreme court.
The case Of the state against Russell Gray
and Charles Newcomb has been dropped. tn.
defendants were arrested last fall for inspecting
grain on the Superior side Of the bay withou
being authorized to do SO by the Wisconsin com
mission. Both men were Minnesota inspectors
Under the present law, amended, 1t is clearl,
illegal to do inspecting or weighing withou
being authorized and there was no object ii
trying the The law before 1t was amended
was obscure in this connection.