The people's voice., 1944-05-19

(Minn.) Daily Tribune
and N. K. Carnes of Central Coop
erative Association. 1t is said that
Frank White was asked to proxie for
Messrs. Brandt and Moscrip.
1t is hard to conceive that there
is any truth in the report that Messrs
Brandt, Moscrip and Carnes would
have any part in promoting the in
vestigation asked for by the grain
commission merchants. They have
all been active-and still are-in the
cooperative movement and are all
holding important official positions in
cooperative organizations.
The November 10th meeting was
held in the large conference room of
the commission and lasted about two
hours The grain marketing practices
of the Grain Terminal Association
was the main topic of conversation.
No written or documentary evidence
was offered to the commission as proof
or to support the charges made.
Commission Postpones investigation
During the last week in November
the commission decided to order an
investigation of the Grain Terminal
Associations grain sales books and
records and selected Leslie j. Burch,
an employee in their Minneapolis of
flee, to do the work. He was to re-
ceive official authorization and start
work Monday, December 9Th.
In the meantime the commission
decided to wait until they consulted
Attorney General Burnquist and get
his official opinion as to whether or
not it is their duty to make such in
vestigaticn and prosecute If evidence
of wrong doing is found
The request for the opinion was
made Tuesday, December 7th, and re-
ceived by the commission on Monday,
January IT, 1914. The opinion con-
tains several pages but this one para
graph informed the commissioners as
to their duty:
"As to whether the cooperative
association which you enquire, has
failed to comply with the laws en-
acted for regulation of commission
or performed its contract
with the members or patrons in a
legal and fair manner, is, of course,
a question of fact to be determined
upon proper investigation and hear
ings before your commission.
Ray Chase Makes Complaint
On Saturday, January 18th, Ray P.
Chase of Anoka, issued a complaint
against the commission He states
that he has been informed and verify
believes" that the commission and
some of their employees "have known
for soma time" that certHia. ealee p=ac-
tees of the Farmers Union Grain
Terminal Association has resulted "in
large pecuniary profits" to said GTA
'at the expense of rural grain eleya-
tors and grain shippers" but made
no effort to compel the discontinuance
thereof or to proceed against those
who are engaged in or who are re-
sponsible therefor"
1t is reported that unless the COM
mission proceeds with the investiga-
ion and prosecution of the GTA that
he Chase complaint will be the base
or court action against the commits
;ioners.
Publication issued by Mr.. Chase in
he past prevent him from being |
classified as friend of the Farmers
Union Grain Terminal Association, or
is general manager, M. w. Thatcher
The wording of the Chase complaint, /
Ind the purpose thereof, fit in so !
closely with the complaint and desire |
If the Minneapolis grain commission
merchants that there is much reason /
o think that Chase and the grain |
merchants have formed /
an alliance for the purpose of "get-
ing" the Grain Terminal Association.
Thatcher Replies to Critics
In the St. Paul Dispatch, January
9th, NJ w. Thatcher, general man
lger of the Farmers Union Grain
Terminal Association, denies the
.harges made in the Chase complaint.
Ie states that GTA operates its busi-
less under the supervision of one of
he best legal firms in the state. He
Continued on Page Four)