Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-19
Thomas McManus, Father of
Co-operatives, Scores Secre-
tary George Wells
TO FIGHT OLD LINE MEN
Pioneer Grain Dealer and Founder of
Farmers Co operative Society, Says
Combine is Bluffins- Dares oppo-
nents to Bring suit-Issues Red Hot
Letter.

Mason City, July 1s.-The farmers
of Cerro Gordo county have Joined is
sue against the old line grain men
and declare they will fight them to
a finish. This is the banner cooper
ative county in Iowa having nine well
organized and working societies, and
is besides the home of the parent
society the Rockwell Cooperative,
and the home of Thomas McManus, the
father of the CO. Operative movement
in the state.
In a circular letter to the different
societies in this part Of the state MIR.
McManus pays his respects to the
Iowa grain combine" and says that
Secretary George A. Wells should
blush and hide his head with shame
over his part Of the recent grain In
vestigaticn. The letter is as FOL
lows:
In recent editions OF Iowa papers
appeared an article with flaming heao
lines which attracted my attention
which reads, "Old Line Grain Men to
Fight Farmers to Finish
Invites Wells to Come On.
In that article George A. Wells IS
quoted in his report at the grain deal-
ers' convention held in, Des MONIES
recently, aus saying, I'VE give notice OF
a war to the finish on the farmers, CO.
operative concerns throughout Iowa,
and intimates that his attack VIII
commence on our violations OF the
Stillman act, passed at the last session
Of the Iowa legislature.
Well. let them commence, we Will
try and get ready for that attack In
fact we have never laid aside our
fighting clothes since we organized the
farmers society at Rockwell, nearly
nineteen years ago.
Mr.. Wells claims that what he terms
"the penalty clause or more proper
W. the maintenance clause" is in
violation Of the Stillman act and con-
seauently we are liable to prosecution.
If such is the case why all this DUH
and newspaper literature, which has
been kept up for the past few months?
Why not enter suit and test the case
In the courts? The author of the Dill,
Paul E. Stillman, says:
This is a bluff of the grain COM
bine."
Says Law Is Cooperative.
I had a number of constitutional
LAWYERS examine the bill and they said
there was absolutely nothing I'M 1t.
The entire purpose of the law was to
encourage farmers companies and to
make it impossible for line companies
to freeze them out, by a combine, as
they have so man times attempted
TO do. The law is drawn just as
strong as paper and ink can make 1T
and | hope that the farmers will see
that it is enforced.
In response thereto I have to say
that | have carefully examined the
bylaws under which the farmers COM
panies operate and the .Stillman act
and have been unable to find anything
in the so-called protection clause that
is out of harmony With. or contrary
to the spirit and purpose of said act.
trust that none of our co-opera-
tive friends will be frightened by this
bluff as this is only some of the tao
ties resorted to by the grain trust.
LII MT. WeilS Iepoi Le eilldSho WI
and alleges that he gave
false testimony before the interstate
at Des Moines. l do not
to enter into the arena in de- |
tense of Mr.. Messerole as l was not !
present at the hearing in Des Moines, /
and besides Mr.. Messerole can more
ably defend himself.
Messerole Able to Defend Himself.
However, l can say from what I !
know of our friend Messerole, he
would be tie last man on Iowa soil I !
would accuse of falsehood, and so |
lar as we can read from the reports
If the press at Des Moines and over
The state generally. Geo. A. Wells I
should blush and hide his head in
shame at the mention of that COM |
mission. His testimony was such that !
Wo reputable witnesses of his own
members of the grain commission,
men holding official positions, fatty
him, and when after
wards he wanted to make an explana-
ion. Commissioner Lane ordered him
,ff the witness stand. How different
With Mr. Messeroe. Every word of
lis testimony was straightforward and
listened to by the commission with
leep interest, and as he stepped from
he stand one reporter said, HE looked
ike great general who had won a
,reat CATTLE and he gave the grain
rust one of the worst blows they ever
lad got in Iowa and had their scalps
laughing at his belt"
Thomas McManus.
Dougherty, Ia.