The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-03-29

planned to the Chicago, Wilmington &
lNermillion company"
| "Are the dealers in Albert Lea
members of any association or com
bination?"
| Il understand that all are members
lof the Northwestern association, and
| that all are in agreement on prices"
DO you know of any local dealers
making complaint against your"
Il heard in an indirect way that n
dealer named SOrensen had made n
complaint. | intended to talk with
him but happen to think that there
were two SOrenson's engaged in the fuel
business in Albert Lea, and when |
| tried 10 get. more definite information
as to the right one, | found all ave-
nues closed"
The Chicago company wrote to Mr.
Knatvold on Aug. 4, 1904, quoting a
price of $685. for the season. A little
later he was informed from the Chi
cago office that complaints were being
made, but we propose to take care of
you, Notwithstanding the Knockers
On November 4, 1904, however, the
company showed some perturbation over
the repeated complaints and informed
Mr.. Knatvold that he was not dealer,
as he had no scales or coalsheds. The
company also announced its inability
to ship a carload of coal to Mansfield,
Mimi. to be distributed among the
farmers.
| formed by the Chicago company that
to&t
Reeves of the Northwestern Coal Deal
ers' association, complaining against
It's dealings with him and requesting
us to discontinue shipping to you on
the ground that you are not entitled
to wholesale rates.
But Mr.. Knatvold had a contract
and also supplied himself with coal
yard containing sheds, bins and scales.
In 1905 the Chicago company was
still doing business with its Albert
Lea patron and wrote somewhat
facetiously that 'Our friend, the
Northwestern Coal Dealers association,
is still trying to make trouble, but
we expect to protect our contract with
YOU" The season of l905-l906 was
uneventful, as the Chicago company
announced its intention to stand by its
contract.
On July Ia, however, Mr.. Knatvold
was surprised to receive rather
abject letter from the Chicago, Will
mington & Vermllion company regret
ting its inability to do business with
him any longer. "Our relations have
been pleasant, satisfactory and profita-
ble," the letter said, but for rea-
sons which you readily will under
stand, we much prefer that you place
your orders elsewhere. We regret that
these conditions are forced on us, etc"
The remainder of the letter speaks
fatteringly of Mr.. Knatvold's response
blity.
old house, he tried other wholesalers,
but all declined to fill orders and
eventually he was compelled to buy
coal for the creameries through the
local dealers in Albert Lea.
At the close of his testimony Mr..
Knatvold filed with the committee
about dozen letters from the Chicago,
Wilmington & Vermilion company to
substantiate his evidence.
''This is very important and very
material evidence said Senator l.. o..
Thorpe of Willmar, speaking to the
other members of the committee, to
which all agreed heartily.
In response to a question by Mr..
Thorpe, the witness reiterated the
statement that the Albert Lea dealers
had protested to Secretary Reeves of
the Northwestern Coal Dealers asso-
citation and that the latter had caused
the Chicago company to discontinue re-
lations with him. Mr.. knatvold said
that he believed he could obtain an
original letter from Reeves to the Chi
ca9O company. and promised to forward
it to the committee at the earliest
possible date. If necessary, he would
send copy OF contract for lease
for fueI yard, to substantiate his con-
tention that he had met the require
ments of dealer.
Il had intended last year to take
up this matter with the attorney gen.
eraI; with the idea that this cores
pondence would form the basis of some
prosecution against the Northwestern
Coal Dealers association, but | never
found the opportunity" explained Mr..
Knatvold But when | heard what this
committee was doing, l made up my
mind to give it all the information L
had
Mayor Taylor of Mankato was presi-
dent of the Northwestern Coal Dealers
association during the time Mr.. Knat-
void was having his trouble with the
wholesalers. Mr.. Taylor stated to The
Free Press today that he had never heard
of this case before. The secretary of the
association, Mr.. Taylor said, looked
after all matters of that character. MIR.
Taylor did not believe he would be called
before the legislative committee to give
testimony relative to the case under con-