The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-03-18
THE EQUITY MEETING

IHE FlC lIN MEETING.
continued from Page One.)
which the Equity Exchange deceived
the shipper with reference to the
switching charge.
The "Switrhing Graft"
The "lieutenants" of the Equity
Exchange have never failed to score
the average switching charge and
proclaiming to the people how they
abolished the switching CHARGE"
In reality no switching charge has
been abolished. but the railroad and
warehouse commission issued a rul-
ing forb dding the "average" switch
ing charge of $3.50 and leaving the
switching to be assessed against
each car, making the switching
charge vary from 81 to So, depend
ing on the number OF lines it had
to be switched over. The only
change is that the charge varies and
whenever a car is sold the commits
sion merchant must figure out how
the car is to be switched in order TO
reach the buyer as the buyer usually
buys wheat "delivered" at his ware
house or mill. Thismakes necessary
comparisons between these buyers
offers after switching charges are
deducted and what other buyers on
the road where the car is located
would offer for the same. If the Of
fer is the best he can do he sells the
grain delivered and deducts the
switching charges whether they be
practically the same. On some
cars it will be practically nothing Or
little, OH other cars, perhaps 50 or
So. The farmer is no better off
than before.
Yet the Equity Exchange hollers
about abolsiing the switching
charges and then resorts to some
rather questionable tactics to con-
ceal from its customers the switch
ing charge which is always imposed
whenever the car is switched to
some other line. Why the Exchange
does not want the truth told to the
shipper is beyond our ken but it
may be that if the farmer knew the
truth they would not think so much
OF the charitable" and "co-opera-
tive business tactics of Anderson
Lotus & company. 1t is hard TO
shout so loud for this bunch of
"reformers' when the farmers know
the conditions of the grain bust
ness are reformed for the benefit
OF the Equity "Co-Operative'' Ex-
change.
The following is an example of
how these "reformers'' endeavor to
make farmers believe that there is
no switching charge and it shows
how it benefits" the farmer or the
farmers elevator. Why not do
business on the square? This is how
it is done:
On Friday. Dec. 5, 1913. Mr.. Nels
Enge. salesman for the Equity Co.
Operative Exchange. called at the
office of Mr.. Riheldaffer. licensed
commission merchant, and member
of the Chamber of Commerce of
Minneapolis, and offered a car of No.
2 Northern Wheat which had been
consigned to the Equity Co-Opera
tive Exchange.
Mr.. Riheldaifer stated, 'The mar
ket (meaning the Chamber of Com
merce market, for this class of
wheat is 81 cents, so | can give yOl
So cents delivered, with the Cham
her of Commerce commission Of one
cent commission per bushel deduct-
ed
Mr. Enge stated that Mr.. Loitns
would not permit him to sell grain
delivered" as he did not desire any
switching charge TO show upon the
account sales to the shipper.
Mr. Riheldatier said, Very Well
then I shall make my bid 50 y cents
taking Off " cent on account of
switching charge necessary to de-
liver the grain to the buyer indus
try
Mr.. Enge accented this bid of
S21s cents and Mr.. Iiheldaffer
promptly thereafter sold the wheat
for 81 cents making the regular
commission Of one cent per bushel
and in addition, receiving an allow
ance of Y cent per bushel on ac-
count Of switching charge which
would amount to between SIS and
Sc; whereas the maximum switch
ing charge which Mr. Riheldaffer
would have to pay would be S3.
In other VOL DIS, nearly twice the
maximum switch charge was al
lowed to Mr.. Riheldaffer in a de-
duction Of z cent from the price, in
order that the shipper should be de-
ceived into thinking that he paid nc
switching charge. And in addition
the full Chamber of Commerce COM
mission Of one cent per bushel was
deducted from the price. Mr.. Far
mer, you didn't pay any switching
al, ON that ramon her ana
only one commission. Anderson
Lotus ct al abolished the switching
barge you remember. and sell your
Grain direct to the consumer thus
saving YOU the extra commissions
hich other firms would charge you
low do you like it? The ''reforms'