The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-28
SESSIONS ARE
BEING HELD AT
AUDITORIUM

n AOUxxV Nl
Continued from page one)
est development in elevator opera
ton and management.
Thompson Opens Convention
A. NJ. Thompson Of CoRswell
president of the association, callet
the convention to order shortly be.
fore noon The invocation was Civ.
en- BY Rev. Paul Wright and Attor.
ney General George F. Shafer vel.
coined the visitors to Bismarck. II
r. Freitag Of Max responded for the
grainmen.
In his annual message, President
| Thompson outlined the progress Of
the association during the last year
and expressed high hopes foi the
future. The association has proved
its worth, he said, by the manner in
which Il has handled problems af.
fecting the grain trade which are
of wide interest but with which nc
single elevator could hope to meet
successfully alone.
Eight Projects Completed
| Eight major projects have been
carried to successful conclusion by
the North Dakota Farmers-Grain
Dealers Association in the last seven
years, p. A. Lee, Grand Forks. secre-
tary of the organization, said in his
annual report to the association con-
vention here today.
The accomplishments were listed
as follows:
Two important cases affecting the
North Dakota grain trade were
carried through various courts to
the United States supreme court and
both were won.
An attempted increase in elevator
and coal shed site rentals was de-
featcd.
The association was active in the
fight regarding freight rates on
grain and grain products from North
Dakota to the terminal markets.
A satisfactory car service rule for
use in times Of car shortage was
established.
A new rule was established for
cleaning out elevators, which per-
mits elevators to obtain one car with
a minimum capacity of 10000 pounds
for each kind Of grain, the rule being
effective from December Is to Sep
TENDER Is Of the year following.
New grain storage laws were en-
acted at the last session of the legis.
lature.
Premium rates on warehouse bonds
were reduced.
Tn nov< mt Mottoec
Lee pointed to several matters
which, he said, merit consideration
by the convention. One is the en-
actmcnt Of more satisfactory laws
governing the filing Of chattel mort
cages and farm leases or contracts,
and contracts for sale of land.
At the last annual convention at
Minot, he pointed out, the legisla-
tive committee was charged with the
duty of initiating, under the state
initiative and referendum laws, q
law which will be satisfactory to
the elevators. Petitions to put this
decision into effect have not vet been
prepared, Lee said, but if the ASSOC
citation still desires to push the
matter under the initiative and refer
endum act steps can be taken i'm
mediately after the close of the con-
vention to prepare the petitions and
place them in circulation. If the
matter is. to be carried through to a
successful conclusion, however, it will
be necessary for the members to dis
play considerable, enthusiasm and
eiferEy. he said. ~ So,
One Of the outstanding achieve
lnents Of the association during the
last year, Lee reported, was its
activity in obtaining a reduction Of
premium rates on warehouse bonds
after the rate had been raised by
insurance companies engaging in
that business. The increase was
made at the suggestion of rating
bureau in New York City to which
the insurance companies contribute,
and placed premium rates Of North
Dakota warehouses above the rates
charged in Minnesota and South Da-
kota. Representations by officials Of
the association and a personal ap.
peal by Lee to officials Of the rating
bureau, resulted in the adoption Of
a sliding scale of rates which will
make the average rate cheaper than
it was before.
Association Growing
Continued growth in membership
was reported, an increase of 50
companies being recorded in 1927.
"a in 1926 and 20 in 1926. The
number Of companies holding men,
berships in the association in 1927
was 367.
Commenting on the finances, Lee
said, that they were generally in
good shape but that the association
has insufficient funds to take part
in cases involving freight rates on
grain and grain products in the way
some members would like to have it.
The terms Of four association
directors will expire at the conven.
ton. They are President A. M.
Thompson Of the first congressional
district; John r. Maddox of the
second congressional district and vice
president Of the association; ]. S.
Stevens Of the third congressional
district and 8. A. CARRIER Of Fortuna,
director at large. Lee suggested that
the various districts choose their
directors and bring the names Of
the elected men to the convention
on the morning Of the closing day.
The convention will act down to q
discussion of technical aspects Of
the grain business this afternoon,
committees will be appointed and
other announcements made.
Fight Card Tonieht
The principal entertainment fea-
ture Of the opening day wiz be the
40-round boxing card to be staged
tonight. Billy Petrolle will meet
Rusty Jones in the feature bout.
Other matches are Earl Ort Far.
m Va Jimmy lunan Rianaarek .