The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-09-14
FARMERS Want BETTER
Terms IN THE MARKET
Committee from the American So
ciety Of Equity Have Eye
on Duluth.
Arrangements Made for Organl-
cation Of Local Potato and
Grain Exchanges.

Leading members In Minnesota and
North Dakota Of the American Society
Of Equity invaded the city this week,
and completely captivated the hearts
Of the members Of organized labor. to
whom they related their purposes.
The visitors were: President T. Ia
Morrell Of Cedar, Mimi, of the Mime
sofa Union; G. A. Robinson, Pine City,
member executive board for Mime
sofa Of the A. s. E.; l. G. Nelson.
Mayville, N. D.. president of the Grain
Growers department of the same
organization, and M. o. Hall of Mohall.
N D.
These gentlemen represented the
potato and grain belt of the north
west, and they came to Duluth for the
purpose Of locking up a more avail
able and direct market for their pro-
ducts. 1t is their hope and purpose to
deal directly with the consumers.
Meet With Labor.
A meeting was held Tuesday even
ing in the sun light parlor OF the
Spalding hotel with the Equity and
Exchange committee of the Trades
Assembly, and the first steps were
taken for the organization OF local
cooperative exchange In Duluth.
The grain committee looked about
the city in the hope that they might
secure available warehouse space for
their grain. Satisfactory arrange
ments have been made in this direc-
ton. but no success was had with the
Duluth bankers in arranging for the
acceptance Of their warehouse receipts
at the banks.
In Minneapolis a prominent broker
agreed to accept their receipts with
insurance policy attached at a nominal
rate Of interest, but no men with
money could be induced to take up
the matter In Duluth.
Discusses Grain Trust.
I'VE do not make the assertion that
there is a grain dealers trust in Du-
luth," said Mr.. Nelson this morning.
But the people of the Red River
valley and the grain growers Of the
Dakotas and western Minnesota claim
that such combination exists, and
that it is to their detriment.
They claim that it is impossible for
them to dispose Of their grain unless
it passes through a licensed dealers
hands who is member Of the board
of trade. They say that the exporters
and the millers in this part Of the
| country will not buy their grain
direct from them.
THE farmers. also claim that they
get the short end of the deal in the
grading and inspecting, as we'll as in
the storage and sale.
IF this is true say that there is a
combine. The society is going to de-
termine that bX> actual operations in
this city. If we cannot get square
deal in Duluth without trouble we
will take other steps"
Mr. Nelson would not state definite
ly what the "other steps" would be-.
He says that the society is gaining
steadily in membership and is getting
greater and frmer foothold each
day.
Little Market Of Their Own.
The "other steps will undoubtedly
be an attempt to divert the sale Of all
grain from this market. Mr.. Nelson
takes the view that the society will
soon be in control Of the bulk of the
wheat, and that the farmers will have
the upper hand in. forcing terms by
holding their grain until they get
their price, and the exporters and
millers will be compelled to buy
directly from the farmer.
Mr.. elson said that there will be
no difficulty in securing plenty of
elevator storage space in this city. He
explained that a number of the ele-
| vator men wan the business and sub
mitted proposals. He said that some
grain will In all likelihood be shipped
into Duluth this fall, but declared that
the farmers want to keep as much as
possible stored on their farms, where
| it does not enter into the visible
supply.
| the ground in Duluth to watch de-
velopments The grain business will
| be followed very closely by the society
| in this city according to Mr.. Nelson.
Mr.. Nelson estimates that the wheat
| crop of the Dakotas will be about
! two-thirds as large as last year. He
| figures that the yield will average 8
or 9 bushels to the acre, whereas the
average a year ago was about IA
| bushels to the acre.
Coal Dock Workers.
| Organizer O'Neill announces that the