Deep Furrows

s, Janet, are t

there's ane in the foreroom, ane in the back room a

mers' movement. The Grain Growers of the three prairie provinces had been watching things closely and they did not propose to let matters take their course unchallenged. A second Royal Commission had been appointed by the Dominion Government in 1906, under

red in the Police Court it was evident that the Exchange intended to fight the case every inch of the way. The farmers discovered that the legal talent of Winnipeg had been cornered; for of the twenty lawyers to whom their solicitor, R. A. Bonnar, K.C., could turn for a

g legal lights. The defendants and their friends were so confident that commitment for trial would not be forthcoming at all that wh

of the charter be limited so that business would be conducted on an equitable basis between buyer and producer. They asked that the Exchange be allowed to set no limit as to the number of persons who might enjoy its privileges, the question of the reputability of such persons to be decided by a majority of the members and that

ies against those breaking the common rules and the maximum-price rule be abolished; that the right to define the eligibility of a person as an employee or fix a limit to salary in any way be denied; also that the ex

for the public to have free access to a gallery overlooking the trading room during the sessions of the Exchange so that the transactions occurri

nd fifty-seven of these active members represented the elevator interests. He said that the interests of the fifty-seven were looked after by twelve elevator men

They claimed that a great deal of the trouble existing between the producer and the Grain Exchange was due to misconception of the Exchange's methods of action. The Exchange was o

o with the Exchange but was a distinct and separate organization for the purpose of running elevators at country poi

carry on its business properly the Exchange must have the power to say who should be members and otherwise to regulat

and they would also repeal the rule regarding track-buyers' salaries. The press was already admitted and it would be found that when

celled in toto and a receiver appointed to distribute the assets. The Exchange was tired of being branded thieves and robbers and

was that this organization be compelled to do what was right. The reason the Exchange had admitted the Grain Growers' Grain Company, the farmers claimed, was so that they could have it unde

was outside provincial jurisdiction and the farmers withdrew that

bankers, railroads, etc., for discussion of everything pertaining to the handling of wheat, including amendments to the Grain Exchange charter. The idea

suggested conference. When this conference was held in the latter part of February, however, the Government was duly impressed by the earnestness of the Grain Growers. Many strong speeches were made, including one powerful

rmers could act in concert if occasion arose and that the Grain Growers' Associations were in accord with the principles for which the farmers' trading company was fighting. When, therefore, the Manitoba Association took a hand in the mat

ection with this matter. In the absence of Hon. R. P. Roblin it became the duty of the Acting-Premier to make it. Hon. Robert Rogers, then Minister of Public Works in the

n arbitrary exercise of the powers conferred upon them (the Exchange) through their charter from the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, and unless remedied by t

any was admitted once more to the full

atter for Crown prosecution and under direction of the Attorney-General, R. A. Bonnar, K.C., proceeded vigorously. The Grain Growers claimed that the Exchange had rules and regulations which had been carried out in rest

ous elevators, the whole thing amounting to the restriction of wheat buying within certain limits fixed by the combination of the buyers who belonged to the combine-this to the consequent barring out of the small buyer from the trade. The latter, the Grain Growers argued, was

hree hundred, the members having agreed among themselves that no more seats be added

Exchange were forbidden to deal with expelled members; it was practically impossible to do business in gra

hey would endeavor to show, an act in restraint of trade and the three men under indictment, the prosecut

farmer must seek the purchaser. While the prices given out were fixed by the Grain Exchange in what was claimed to be open competition, the prosecution int

rming population, it promised to test the particular and somewhat obscure section of the Criminal Code under which the indictment was laid. At one stage of the proceedings the tension in court became so high and witnesses so unwilling that upon reproval by the court regarding his examination, leading c

eed to, whether justifiably or not, as business regulations and before finding the defendants guilty these restraints must appear to be "undue," according to his reading of the section. It was necessary to respect the right of a particular trade or bus

price paid would be the price at the terminal (Fort William) less the freight and one cent per bushel commission, neither more nor less. Witnesses agreed that this was the lowest profit on which the busin

ad adduced evidence to support their case and did not relish losing it on a technicality.

g as they justified it on the grounds of "personal interest"-so long as the things they did were not "malicious restraints, unconnected with any business relations of the accused!" In oth

and evasions-all the excitement of the past few months practically left conditions just where they were. Fo

began to pin their faith to their little fighting trading company "at the front." It appeared to be the concentration point for the fire of enemy guns. In all probability hostilit

ese to threaten

ief Justic