New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1919-04-09
REFUND PROMISED
GLENCOE / MEETING !!
FOOD ADMINISTRATORS WILSON
ADMITS WE ACTIVITY
WAS ILLEGAL
ARTHUR LIE SUEUR, ST. PAUL
LAWYER, REPRESENTS
FARMERS

Over 400 farmers and business men Ct
Mcleod county gathered in the city hall
in Glencoe Thursday afternoon to meet
in conference with A. D. Wilson, Mime
sofa Food Administrator, who game:
here to explain to the farmers his stand
in this much discussed question. The
farmers organized at the meeting by
electing S. T. Clark as chairman and
later formed permanent organization
with a view to get back from the
American Red Cross funds raised by the
illegal sale Of wheat last summer. Tie
central committee Of this organization
with the seat at Glencoe will include
Charles Biehoffe1, retired farmer; L. p.
Albrecht, automobile dealer; L. r.
Borkenhagen, merchant; Charles Ardt
and Ben Harpel, farmers. The follow
ing township Representatives, We're
elected:
Alfred Biehoffer, Glencoe; Fred Wal
tiers, Helen; Charles Ardt, New Auburn;
Fred Dehn, Sumpter; Karl Wilhelm
Penn; John Abraham, Round Grove;
Paul Rolf, Bergen; Henry Kuehl, Acoma,
and August Daak, Linn.
Mr.. Wilson Explains.
Mr.. Wilson was asked by Mr.. Clark
to explain to the farmers the reason for
the forced contributions and sale Of
wheat, and to give them what assurance
he could that their money would be re-
turned.
f'The situation is decidedly unfortu-
nate any way you look at it" Mr.. Will
son said. II am here to explain the
INSTRUMENTATION under which some of the
representatives Of the food administra-
ton operated and to discuss ways by
which the resulting tangle may be
Strengthened out.
"A year ago this nation was under a
great strain We were in the war. The
United States is not a warning nation,
and it's military force a year ago was
weak. Part of our work in the war was
to supply food to the Allies. Inasmuch
as the 1917 wheat crop was only 5O,0O0,-
900 bushels greater than the normal
crop, it was necessary that the strenu-
Gus campaign TO conserve wheat and
wheat products be inaugurated by the
food administration.
FarmerNot Technically Hoarder
He then explained that the food ad
ministration had the authority to seize
wheat and sell it, giving the proceeds,
less the cost of marketing, to the owner
Of the wheat. If the owner was not
satisfied with the amount, he would be
given Is per cent Of the proceeds and
permitted to take The matter to court for
settlement.
The farmer, he said, under clause Of
the food administration act, could not
be considered a. hoarder.
Somehow or other Mr. Wilson said
under the stress Of work, misinforma-
ton was disseminated. I was told that
some OF the men who went into the
field, after marketing wheat held by
farmers, decided that those farmers
were guilty Of boarding and were sub
ject to fine Of $4,000 and two years i'm
prisonment.
Assumes Full Responsibility.
Every donation made to the Red
Cross in this manner was illegal. / am
glad to say the Red Cross was justified
in taking the money, for it went to that
organization as voluntary contribution.
| The blame for the situation rests en-
tirely upon the food administration, and
not on the Red Cross
| To Get Back Every Dollar.
''The Red eros officials have agre d
to return that money to the men who
contributed it. Every farmer will in
all probability get back.eyery dollar.
st am exceedingly sorry for the part
the food administration has played in
this affair. It was all mistake, brought
about, believe, by an excess Of patrio-
tism on the part Of some Of the men in
the field"
Examined by LIE sueur.
Mr.. lie Sueur questioned Mr.. Wilson
as 10 his knowledge Of the manner in
which the contributions were obtained.
Were you aware Of Mr.. Yves pro-
cedure in marketing this Wheat?'' Mr..
lie Sueur asked. 3s
I knew he was after the wheat and
intended to get it, Mr.. Wilson answered.
Did you know that fines were as
Continued On page 81