The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-16

rounded the car and took all the coal.
Threats to Destroy Effective.
At Prosser, Wash, $50 citizens
served notice on Superintendent Beamer
at Spokane: that unless coal was fur
nisher all cars would be sseizedN and
tracks torn up: Three cars were
sent. ~ .s'"ss x s[4'ss $3.50 ~
At La Crosse, Wash, the citizens
nabbed the first car Of. coal that came
thru and divided it between them At
!! Iekoa, Wash, "a hobo was seen hawk
plement dealers, in "sate of mind.''
The farmers it was said were shut out
OF free market at many stations be-
cause the elevators We're full, conse-
quently they could not market their
wheat and were deprived Of part of
their income. The Fargo bankers de-
clared the effect was. very bad. De-
termlned to carry the investigation
| further the correspondent went out on
| the Northern Pacific main line.
Around Jamestown the conditions
were found very bad. The little sta
ton OF Buchanan was blocked with
! grain, everybody along the line was
| talking about the blockade and wonder
ing when the railroads would do any
! thing to relieve it.
On, the branch lines north from the
| Northern Pacific main line, station af-
ter station reported conditions the
same. Courtenay on the 500, Ana
NOSE, and other stations, were among
the ones, worse off, but everywhere
there were blockades and bins of grain
out in the open. At. Barlow grain was
found in piles on the open ground
Along, the 500 line up to Minot, at ev-
cry other station a big, open bin of
wheat could be- seen: All the towns
along the line had elevators, from two
filled and grain accumulated in outside
bins. "a ~" -, 49,. 49,
The Great Northern main line
from Minot east to Grand Forks
up along the 1 HN u branch lines II es
running toward the Canadian boundary
that. the worst conditions. were found.
At Sherwood, town at the end of one
branch line farmers,,S2 threw their wheat
home for the third time and took the
risk Of theft Or ruin by the elements
until market, could be,ff olund for it.
All thru this country the, one topic of
conversation on trains, in the hotel lob
! bies, and i'll the Syaiitfhg rooms Of the
I country depots 'was.55of. the grain gorge
and the unprecedented business eondi-
/ lions Brought upon the country. =, ~. -;
+, Undue Economy, Apparent. :. - :,
! Down the main line from Minot east
both passenger and freight service was
slow and here appeared the most di-
i rect indications Of intent upon the part
OF the roads SO to Operate as to reduce
the expense to the ninimum regardless
| OF service rendered. Long, heavy
trains making slow: progress, engines
worn out, train crews overworked and
sullen, and freight strung along from
station to station suggested that pur-
suit, OF the low ton-miie cost over a
roadbed unable to stand it and against
a people clanaoring for better service
was putting the country to the bad.
The question was raised and every
railroad man Intercepted said this was
the reason. Only under pledge that
they would in no way be brought into
the matter would they consent to ex-
press themselves, but once assured that
they would be protected they were free
to speak and to illustrate, and evidence
OF the effect of the strict enforcement
OF a policy Of close economy was
pointed out in the working.
The whole country had now been
aroused by the stories sent in from the
field. T e Journal printed the re-
ports and invited men in the country
affected by the adverse conditions to
state their case.e Hundreds of letters
poured in. =s4 4 ~.
Thomas F. Marshall, member of con.
gress from North Dakota had taken up
the matter and it was his intention to
nave introduced into congress a reso-
luton bearing upon, it. But the people
Of North Dakota had been making the
wires hot with messages of distress to
senators and congressman and in this
way the matter had come to the atten-
ton OF the president. The interstate
commerce commission realizing the
gravity Of the situation decided to in
qulre closely into it. Mr.. Marshall IS
services were Of value, and at the re-
guest of the commission he returned to
North Dakota there to gather informa-
ton in detail, while the commission sent
half dozen men into the. field.
Publicity had stirred the country to
realization Of the hardship thru exist
ing conditions. The result will soon be
| known. 4 ,Sss> Iii r
4 No sooner was it announced that the
| interstate commerce commission was to
investigate conditions in the northwest,
than complaints Of inadequate railroad
service began to pour in from all parts
OF the country. The scope Of the in
quiry has now been amplifed to in
clude almost all of the country west of
the Alleghenies. Hearings begun in
Minneapolis will be continued in Chi
1 cage, St.. Louis, Kansas City, Boise,
Idaho, and every important point on
the Pacific coast between Seattle and
San Diego. They will cover condi-
tions affecting grain: lumber, livestock,
coal and cotton.
The great, big question, to be illumi-
| mated by testimony taken at all these
hearings will be with regard to the re
lation between service and dividends.
Starting with facts, the government,
when the deductions ere made, will
| probably find itself facing the question
Of whether or not it can lawfully and
rightfully intervene to dictate what
sort Of service prospecting roads shall
accord patrons. I It is along this line
that President Roosevelt has developed
a keen interest and he may back up the
report OF the interstate commerce com.
mission with a special message to con-
gress outlining remedial legislation.
The hearing, which begins i'll Mime
1saPolis tomorrow, twill be in no sense a
Illegal trial, but rather a quest isof in
formation. Commissioners Lane and
Harlan will hear witnesses who repre-
4 sent the various northwestern interests
! olved--both shipper and carriers.
i John 81. Marble, attorney for the com
! mission, who has been here for nearly
la week. will produce the WITNESSES and