The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-03-01
House Committee Probing
Shippers Association.
SHARP STICK FOR MAMMALIAN
James "Butted In" and Was Threat.
ened With Election; LOTUS in
the Witness Chair.

st. Paul, Feb. 2G.-The house COM
mlttee which was appointed to investi-
gate the doings of the Minnesota
Shippers and Receivers association be-
gan its examination last evening bv
questioning George S. Lotus. The
hearing was held at the METROPOLITAN
hotel. S. ID. Peterson of New JTlm is
chairman of the committee and l.. w.
Bills of Wadena conducted the examina-
ton. The other members of the COM
mittee are j. G. Lennon of Minneapo-
lis, l. w. Bouck of Royalton and w.
L. HOLSTER of Austin.
The examiners went into the meth
DDS of the officers in determining
whether candidate was good man.
and the methods pursued to compel
him to come out for the things favor
ed by the association and the methods
used to defeat him if he failed to do
so. The constitution and bylaws of the
association were offered in evidence,
and Mr.. Bills wanted to know if
there was anything in them to permit
the officers to take part in political
campaigns.
James Manahan, who. had been sum
moned as a witness, interposed obec-
lions, and the chairman ruled that be-
ing witness Mr.. Manahan could not
appear as attorney at the hearing. But
several times during the hearing Mr..
Manahan interposed objections and ex-
plantations, and at one time during the
evening, after he had failed to keep
still when requested, there was talk
of ejecting him.
Mr.. Bouck wanted a list of the mem
bers of the association. Mr.. LOTUS
stated that there are 800 members and
that he would furnish those located
at competitive points, but not those
located at other places.
Il don't believe you have them,' he
piled Mr.. Bouck.
Mr.. Bills wanted to know whether
the fact that a candidate failed to an
swer the questions on the card sent out
by the association caused him to be
considered as opposed to the measure.
Mr.. Lotus said that they would first
get information from. members and
other shippers in the district. If he
was former member of the legisla-
ture they would consult his record.
The fact that he voted against meas
ures advocated by the association
would be sufficient to condemn him.
But if there were two candidates i'll a
district and one answered the card and
the other did not. the one answering
the card would be favored
''In determining whether candidate
was good man did you give more
weight to statement from member
than from a shipper not a member"
did.
Because he sent you S. for mem
bership?"
NO; because he has the courage Of
his convictions and is right"
''Well, do you mean that because a
man sends you So that he has the cour-
age of his convictions more than other
menu" asked Mr. Bills. Isn't it a
fact that by paying So any man may
become member? Have you ever
turned down an applicant? Is there
any other qualification for member
ship than the payment of So"
Mr.. LOTUS maintained that while no
qualification was insisted upon, no
man would send in his fee unless he
was in sympathy with the movement
He said that he did not recollect that
any applicant had ever been turned
down.
Mr.. Bills questioned about the let
tiers sent to Sherburne county regard
ing Representative Andrew Davis of
Elk River, who did not answer the
card, but had voted right i'll the legis-
lature. But LOTUS had no recollection
of the case.
Mr.. LOTUS said only one county had
been covered with circulars opposing a
candidate. Mr.. Lennon wanted to know
if these circulars had not been sent to
candidates in other districts, with let
tiers stating that if they did not declare
themselves they would be treated in
the same way. But Mr.. Lotus did not
recollect.