The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-16
BOARD OF TRADE
As FARMERS GAG
Chicago System Restraints Trade.
Declares Member in Grain
Trust Probe.
BROKERS, IN AGREEMENT,
FIX PRICES, HE CHARGES
Members Of Alleged Pool Served
with subpenas Wincheu
on the Stand.

Chicago, Oct. 16.--Richard GambriH,
a Board of Trade broker, was the first
witness called today, when the inter
state commerce commission resumed Its
inquiry into the methods Of handling
grain in the west and northwest.
Mr.. Gambrill declared that the rules
of the Chicago Board of Trade are
clearly in restraint Of trade and are
rapidly making the Chicago grain mar
ne-horse proposition.
IA rule is posted on the Chicago
Board of, Trade each afternoon, said
Mr.. Gambrill, (which prevents me
from going into the country and bid
ding for grain. That to my mind is
detrimental to business and is in res
straint of trade.
Agree on Bids, He Says.
Samuel Finney, another broker on the
Board of Trade, testified that there is
Trade men TO bid certain prices for
grain in the country. He named two
firms which he declared are a party to
this, agreement. @ 80 Sc
| Employees of these firms were at
once. served with subpenas
| President Winchell of the Rock ISL
and road was then called to tell about
the purchase of elevators from the Chi
eago Rock Island Elevator company for
$l,bO0,000 concerning which Mr.. SHAFT
fer, testified yesterday.
4 cred the details Of the purchase Of the
4 elevators and contained nothing sensa-
! tional. ..s.5.s
/ = Alleges Boycott weapon.
J. A. McCreary, manager OF the
! Farmers elevator at Mason City, Iowa,
4 declared it is difficult for the elevator
\ to find a market for its grain and That
I when q commission man bids he must
do SO under cover. Il
He said: z" We have been shut out
reasons Men IF he 1 6oRsot Is of a he Illinois
1 Grain Dealers association. We have
Ereceived letters from brokers in Mem
4 phis saying that they were afraid to
buy from us because they feared boy
colt of the Illinois association i they
Road Has Elevators.
j.. Stream, president of the South
! Chicago Elevator company, was cues
b toned reyardin3 the manner IN which
I the three elevators formerly owned spy
! Charles Ceunselman of this city; who
died recently came into the possession
i Of the Rock Island road.
| lie. U0CldIeQA GLdC NV SudhCA VI WIS
4 city had charge Of the matter, and Mr..
i Shaffer was then called: to the stand.
4 He said that he purchased the elevators
4 from the Counselman estate, and organ
i lied the Chicago & Rock. Island sEle.
! vators company to which he transferred
the elevators.
Farmers in Trust.
ttI want 10, tell this commission
something about the farmers, said J !.
ERosenbaum, Of the J. Rosenbaum Grain
company Of Chicago, who was the next
witness. ~
"The farmers who are organized re.
fuse to sell grain to any but their own wv:
elevators. Part of their agreement is
; that if any member sells to anyone else
he shall be fined ! cent bushel for
every bushel sold. You can see that
the grain dealers are being discrim-
mated against by the farmers. The
farmers are closely allied and they dis
criminate against others more than they
are Disseminated against. y