Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1938-02-10

matters and being member of the
Railroad and Warehouse Commission,
want to say that it is the desire
land purpose of the Commission to
prescribe or maintain reasonable rates
for the transportation of livestock by
both truck and rail. The present rates
on livestock were prescribed in 1888
and compare favorably with rates in
effect in adjoining states. The Rail-
road and Warehouse Commission does
not contemplate authorizing any in
creases in the rates on livestock in
Minnesota, and is in fact opposing
any further increases in interstate
rates. This is true not only of live
stock, but on all agricultural pro-
ducts.
1t was necessary recently to grant
increases to both railroads and motor
carriers on less than carload freight
to take effect February 10, 1888. The
motor carriers have maintained the
same level of rates which were pre-
scribed by the Commission in 1888
The railroads in 1884 requested per-
mission to reduce their rates to the
level of the truck rates which was
DONE Since 1884, truck drivers have
asked and received several increases
in wages. That, coupled with the
increased costs of materials and sup
plies, made it impossible to maintain
their equipment as is required for the
safe operation over our highways,
without a slight increase in freight
rates.
The Commission, late in 1887
adopted and issued rules governing
the transportation of livestock. The
rules, tending to promote the safe
delivery of the animals, require that
mixed loads of stock must be par
titioned. Upper decks must be high
enough to clear animals standing on
the floor of the truck and other pro-
visions of the rules all tend to insure
the safe and humane delivery of the
animals to the market.
These rules, when issued, met with
the quick approval of livestock haul
ers, shippers and buyers alike. While
the rules were applicable only to
haulers entirely within the borders
of our state, they received universal
approval, as we have had numerous
requests for copies of our rules from
various parts of the country.
Classics Licenses.
The licensing of vehicles does not
come under the jurisdiction of the
Commission, but the Secretary OF
State. 1t may be well, however, to
say few words about the different
classes of licenses and what can law
fully be done by the holders thereof
The Class "T' license is issued for
vehicles used in the transportation
of agricultural products, produced
by the owner of the truck, from farm
to market and to transport supplies
back to the farm.
The Class "X" license is for use
on trucks, tractors or trailers used
exclusively in transporting property
within a 35-mile radius
The Glass ''Y" license is for use
on vehicles transporting all kinds OF
merchandise, over any distance, in
either State or Interstate commerce
The Railroad and Warehouse Com
mission is required by 'law to super
, wise the weighing of livestock and
has selected and retains men for their
experience, and ability to do that
work. I am pleased by the lack OF
complaints, and convinced that these
men are working in harmony with the
livestock commission men, the pro-
ducers and livestock shippers.
Discusses Cooperative Movement.
Recent news dispatches have car
ried the announcement that the small
Ter business men of this country are
taking their problems and troubles
to Washington in the hope that the
administration may do something
through long term loans at moderate
interest rates and closer cooperation
between business and government to
foster the welfare and security OF
small business units and corporations.
One of the marked characteristics
of our age is the tremendous con-
centration of wealth and industrial
power in the hands of comparatively
few. This point has become so OBJ
vious that it needs no elaboration.
However, feel confident that small
business men can help themselves
greatly through that form of coopera-
ton known as group or national as
sociations. Through various associa-
tons the smaller businesses can surely
do much to reduce their buying costs,
increase their command of capital,
minimize such evils as excessive in
stallment buying and high pressure
methods. Associated effort of this
kind is form of cooperation which
has been neglected by the smaller
business men.
The prolonged depression through
which we have passed has made the
present period an open season for
various modern economic theories to
advance their nostrums and to make
appeal. Some of these economic
theorists prescribe democracy, 9TH