The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-21
IRI.STATE GRAIN
MEN SAY mot So
THEY DENY CHARGES MADE AT
e MILWAUKEE. s5# Z
Say They May Report on Responsible
ity of Various Dealers but Make No
Attempt to Influence Members
Milwaukee's Charge of Discrimina-
ton in Boston Rate Puzzle.

s I
First effect of the interstate com
merce investigation of grain trade and
railroad relationship, under the La Fol
lette- Gillespie resolution, was a double
slap at Minneapolis by the Milwaukee
grain men interrogated yesterday.
1t was alleged by d. J. Owen of
Owen & Brother of Milwaukee that his
firm received threatening, or at least
admonitory letters, from the Tri-State
ISOLATION has it's headquarters in Min
neapolis, the charge caused consider
able of stir locally.
j.: j. Quinn, secretary of the asso-
citation, attended the Investigation at
the federal building today and could
not be seen, C. W. Wenzel. of the
Interstate Elevator company is a for
mer president of the Tri-State associa-
ton. Mr.. Wenzel said:
Mistake Somewhere.
ton. The Tri-State association has no
purpose other than that of any trade
association. It in no way attempts to
fix prices or otherwise to regulate the
business actions of it's members. It is
possible it may have advised dealing
with men of business responsibility,
and may consistently have recommend
ed it's own members to outsiders as
men Of responsibility and good -fnan-
cial standing. That it ever went out
side. the legitimate purpose of it's Or
ganization I cannot believe.'
Boston "Favors' a Puzzle.
A. X. Taylor of Fagg e. Taylor of
Milwaukee made the charge that Min
neapOlis has an advantage by 2H cents
a hundred in shipping grain to Boston.
None of the Minneapolis men in
close touch with the situation could
find basis for the allegation Of Mr..
Taylor that Minneapolis is favored. E..
S. Woodworth, whose firm is a large
shipper for export, said the advantage
and Minneapolis. Secretary Jamme g
office could find no rates more favor
able to Minneapolis. w. M. Hopkins,
chairman of the transportation commit
tee OF the Chamber of Commerce, said
that existing rates put merchants in
the three markets on an even competi-
tive basis. ~',-7- .,",.. ~,... ~'-.-~ .~es =
Explains the Rates.
L. G. Rains, transportation manager
for the Van Observation-Disclosures inter
ests, said:
It costs a Minneapolis shipper 1914
cents to put wheat into Boston. It
costs a Milwaukee or. Chicago shipper
1872 cents. The proportional rate Min
neapolis to Milwaukee or Chicago, is
lO cents. 1t comes out just the same.
"Now, it is true that the local rate
Minneapolis to Chicago or Milwaukee
ca car OF wheat from Minneapolis for
kee. he would pay 1871 cents. If he,
later on, turned around and shipped
1T out again to Boston, and paid the
local Milwaukee-Boston rate, it would
cost him more than if he had in the
first place loaded it here for Boston
direct.
No Good Elevators.
1.-THE trouble with the grain business
in Milwaukee, said a well-informed
dealer today, els that there is not a
freProof public elevator in that city,
and; it costs from 2A to >21a cents a
bushel for insurance. He referred
to the testimony of A. K. Taylor be-
fore the Interstate commerce commits
sion yesterday in that city. Mr.. Tay-
grain rates from MwauRee to 5n Best tae
were higher than from Minneapolis to
Boston. The latter rate was better by
273 cents, he said. ..-.-- @...-. =
said: "Mr: Taylor can buy oats in the
open market in Minneapolis and ship to
New England points by way of Milwau-
kee at the same rate as by the direct
route, or the 500 line. The 500 sets
the rate and others meet it. He has
elevator privileges, too, at Milwaukee.
The local rate from Milwaukee to
the east on grain has little bearing on
the grain situation at Milwaukee. be-
cause all the business is handled thru
Milwaukee on thru billing from the
west, with the exception of little bar
ley. which originates near Milwaukee.
This business is all under the supervi-
sion of the joint rate inspection bureau
which is supposed to prevent manipu-
lation.'