The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-05
TROVATEN ON
STAND IN PROBE

Minneapolis Journal: A. A. Troyat-
en- of Fargo, secretary of the ~Independ-
ent Grain exchange, told the senate
grain investigation committee today
that practically all the business of the
exchange is done by the Loftus-Hub-
bard Co. He admitted that the Equity
Cooperative exchange paid the rent
for the room occupied by the indie
pendent Grain exchange in the orn
exchange, and when he was asked as
Il matter of fact, if there was an ex-
change at all, he said. IN a way there
is and in a way there isn't"
Previously in the session an adver-
tisement appearing in The National
Grain Growers and advertising. THE
Farmers Elevator Co., Minneapolis,
members of the Independent Grain eX-
change and a cut in the same paper
showing a picture of the corn exchange
building and labeled, Independent
Grain exchange" were introduced in
evidence.
The name of Louis D. Brandeis, Bos-
ton attorney, was brought into the
case today when Mr.. Trovaten testified
that on Oct. %, George S. Lotus, J. M.
Anderson and he had consulted with
Mr.. Brandeis and James Manahan in
regard to a suit against the chamber
Of commercials a monopoly. =
Mr.. Trovaten of Fargo told the
1 SOllllAL1LkCe lluN lS 10 SO4iSAE1A1S SAllJN
ments for the Equity Cooperative ex-
change and acting as an organizer. He
| said that he is a 2 stakeholder in the
Equity concern but the committee
| overruled II. l.. Schmitt's question as
to the amount of stock he holds. He
said that the offices of the Equity Co
operative exchange and the American
Society of Equity are identical at Far
go, and that they have Offices n a
warehouse at Moorhead.
Manahan as Director.
Mr.. Schmitt introduced a letter sent
out by the Equity Cooperative ex-
change Dec. 2, showing a list of direc-
tors including the name of James Man
ahan. Mr.. Trovaten said that some OF
Lthem are directors in the American So
ciety of Equity state unions, the letter
head also showing the name of the
American Society Of Equity. An ad-
vertisement in The National Grain
Grower of the Farmers Elevator
Co.. Minneapolis, members of indie.
pendent Grain exchange" he SAID
had been inserted by n Gundersor
and charged to the Equity Cooperative
exchange as part Of their advertising
but since had been ordered cut out. Tht
cut Of the corn exchange building
Minneapolis, in the same paper, Labeled
Independent Graf exchange" was
also offered in evidence. BENJAMIN
Drake objected to this as "a matter o.
detail,'' and demanded that If 1t bt
put in the committee also bring II
books and records of individual cham
Der of m concerns.
Does Mr.. Drake want US to entel
into a corrupt bargain with him?
asked c.. r. Fowler, Ito drop this line
of inquiry in return for an agreement
that they will not follow UP a certain
line of evidence and withhold facts
from this committee?"
Drake Is Concerned.
Sen. S. D. Works said he thought
it fair to make as close a scrutiny o.
the Independent Grain exchange as o.
the chamber Of commerce. Mr.. Drake
insisted on an agreement to get at de
tails of the business of concerns be
| longing to the chamber of commerce
but the committee held that the inquir!
so far is only concerned with the TIVE
exchanges. Mr.. Trovaten did not recall
furnishing the cut, which ne admitted
represents the corn exchange. :,
Another advertisement in the De-
cember issue of The National Grain
Grower was pointed out, reproducing
a bill of lading to the Equity Cooper.
| alive exchange, with the notation
"this car to be sold IN the Indepen-
dent Grain exchange, Minneapolis
Mr.. Trovaten admitted that the indie
pendent Grain exchange had not beer
| organized. but said the advertisement
was intended to convey the idea tha'
the grain would be sold outside tn
Chamber of Commerce.
The February numbe of the publ
cation was introduced and Mr.
Schmitt called attention to the fac