The Sauk Centre herald., 1907-02-21
ANXIOUS BE
INVESTIGATED
The Railroad Attack on the Shippers
Association Meets with their
Complete Approval.
BY LYNN HAINES.

were pleased with the result. We re-
fer t. the spectacular Peterson attack
on the Minnesota Shippers and Re
ceivers Association.
The Hon. s. D. Peterson of New
Ulm, has been before the legislative
footlights continuously for nearly a
decade. During a portion of this i'm
portant period his record has not
been particularly pleasing to all con-
cerned. 1t was owing to this fact that
the Shippers Association paid some
slight attention to the campaign in
his district last fall, knowing we'll
that a certificate of election i'll his
hands would be very likely to render
reform one vote more difficult of ac-
complishment. 1t was in remem-
brance thereof that this representative
mothered a resolution calling for a
committee to investigate into the
character and methods of this or.
ganization.
The House was quick to note the
personal motive of Mr.. Peterson, and
the few scattering individuals, who,
like him, object to publicity, yet the
common membership had reasons for
"humoring" the disgruntled minority
on this occasion. 1t had been quietly
tipped off that the Shippers Associa-
ton would like nothing better than an
investigation, and Mr.. Peterson was
visibly surprised at the practical
unanimity with which mis- personal
desire for revenge was approved.
MIR. Peterson's position was pc
culiarly embarrassing before. The
fact that he was leading an attack
upon the Shippers Association in
vited attention to the fact that he had
been attacked by them, and that fact
instantly suggested, to everyone
familiar with conditions, that very
likely there were good reasons why he
had been pointed to as a man vino
would produce discord in the move
ment for reform. And then matters
were made much worse for Mr.. Peterson
when Elmer E. Adams, one OF the
House insurgents, took the floor and
after eulogizing the president OF the
association, who lives in Fergus Falls
explained something of their methods
and declared that this organization
would warmly welcome the inquisitors
and would meet them more than hal
way. This settled Mr.. Peterson's
victory" and there was no dissent
save from few who felt that the
House might as we'll spend its time
peering into Ladies Aid Societies as
to waste its costly hours investigating
as wholesome an institution as the
Shippers Association.
1t may be we'll to reiterate that the
Shippers and Receivers Association is
an organization composed largely o1
superior class of country business
men from all over the state. One OF
their objects is to aid in the securing
of the enactment of laws which will
result in better commercial conditions.
Their activity in legislative elections
and subsequently in the work of the
legislature itself is therefore perfectly
legitimate and very commendable.
1t is not going too far, and we make
the assertion without fear Unsuccessful
contradiction, that no measure OF rail.
road refot Inn would be possible at the
present SESSION had it not been for the
systematic work of this association
before and after election.
This "before'' and also latter" ac-
tivity of the Shippers Association is
strikingly illustrated in the condition
of things out of which this Peterson
resolution is said to have had its
origin. This resolution is supposedly
the offsoring of a peculiar alliance
it might almost be said to be a matri-
monial venture in view of the fact
this political progeny resulted di-
rectly therefrom. The paternal re-
sponsibility for the investigation
may be traced to a certain senator
whose inspiring pretense of undying
devotion led the coy Samuel to give
birth to the move on the floor of the
House, the shippers themselves act
ing as ''maids of attendance" The
difference in the maternal and paternal
motive in this case is what illustrates
the "before and after" election phase
of the situation. The "mother" OF
the resolution knew that the Lotus
influence had been after him, and the
senatorial father, realizing that his
own conduct was becoming question
able, was fearful of the near future.
The Sundburg committee, empower
ed by the senate, to investigate into
the cost and valuation of railroads, is
getting to the bottom of things in a
way which is demoralising to the cor
poration forces. The Shippers As
sociation is giving this committee the
most material assistance, and it is
doubtless because of this that the
Peterson resolution was born. If the
committee appointed to investigate
the investigators could be induced to
keep the center of the stage with their