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LOFTUS AND HIS METHODS Shippers' Representative Again •Questioned by Legislative Committee. Admits that Peterson Wa Once Asked to Become a Member of the Association. Did Not Know as Much About Him Then as Now, He Says. The investigation of the Minnesota Shippers' and Receivers' association, or rather of George S. Loftus, its active head, was resumed Thursday afternoon by the house committee and for those present it proved decidedly entertaining. Personalities, rebuffs, and inuen does were the principal features. At times the personlities were decidedly broad and no one would have been surprisad at what in saloon parlance would be called a "rough house." There was suppressed anger on one side and a tendency to flippancy on the other. The investigation opened and finish ed with George S. Loftus, a com missioner for the association, on the stand. S. D. Peterson, as chairman, presided and put the questions, though he was later relieved by John Lennon, of Minneapolis, who obtained better results. The examination was directed princi pally to inquiring into the associ ation's methods of making and break ing candidates for public office, breaking those who refused to indorse the association principles, and indor singthose whom it believed to be with it. In answer to a question as to how many members the association had. Mr. Loftus said about 372. As to their being in good standing he could not say nor could he say how many lived in St. Paul. Further, he did not know how many had left the association except that there were some, and he believed their withdrawal to be due to outside influences. Mr. Peterson, who was conducting the examination an| who, during the late campaign, was one of the princi pal targets for the association's at tacks, kept leading up to his own case all the time. He wanted to know if Mr. Loftus had not stated that the associ ation was not particular about whom it admitted to membership. "You mistake me," answered Mr. I said there were some men not far distant whom Iwould not admit." an easy matter to select just what you want. KITCHEN CABI NET. A very fine kit chen cabinet, well made, indespensi ble in every house hold where com fort prevails, at only $4.50. "Then you referred to some men in the room at the time?" &~&&&&mz id ,, ..-.fStfpSM*'- "I will ask whom you referred to?" inquired Mr. Petersen. "You are the one. We were of the opinion that your record was bad." During the putting of question, James Manahan, who represented the association as attorney, was persistent with interruptions and coaching re marks for Loftus, and it angered the committee. Peterson, under a strain that would have made most any man want to fight, kept his temper admira bly, and Lennon laughed, but Repre sentative Bouck, another member, was indignant. "If this Manahan is going to con tinue to interrupt, nothing will be done. I am for putting him out. It was the same at the last meeting." This brought a laugh from Mana han, and the remark that it might not be well to try it. Mr. Lennon interposed, however, with a demand for order, and a state ment to the effect that the committee had'no designs on anybody. It was appointed to investigate, and a square deal would be given all concerned. He insisted, however, that no promis cuous "butting in" would be tolerat ed. Mr. Peterson asked Mr. Loftus if his firm was not connected with the shippers' association. To this Mr. Loftus made answer to the effect that he did not know whether that con cerned Mr. Peterson «r not. It was here that Mr. Manahan "butted in," and it was here that Mr. Bouck objected, with the added re mark that probably before the com mittee got through it might investi gate Manahan. "I guess not," was Manahan's an swer. Mr. Loftus was asked whether the directors had authorized the sending out of circulars and postal cards at tacking candidates, to which he made affirmative answer. However, he did not know the author of the cards. They were probably gotten up by some member of the board. Cards and circulars, Mr. Loftus said, were not the only methods used. They had workers out, used the tele phone and occasionally made personal visits to the district. One man whom he knew confined his efforts principal ly to New Ulm and Mankato. Mr. Peterson had been the recipient of some of the cards and circulars, and one of them was an invitation to send $5 and join the association. This necessitated the indorsement of the association's principles. We have by far the prettiest and most complete stock of baby carriages ever assembled in South ern Minnesota. We have a big1 lot of first grade carriages, that we are able to sell at prices that cannot be met elsewhere and will tend to banish all cheaper goods from the market. CARPETS AND RUGS. A new and com plete assortment. These goods were bought before the recent advance in prices, and we can insure prices on these that cannot be duplicated else where. Our stock is large and it is EXTENSION TABLES. Just arrived, a new and handsome lot of extension tables, agreatvar iety to select from. A 6 foot table, 42 inch top, like cut, solid oak at only $5.50. ^SC^^^tfM^kM^ 'iMl^ks^sM^^d --*vr"," "Did you send me this?" said Chair man Peterson, passing over the card and envelope. Both Mr. Loftus and Manahan de nied that the handwriting was theirs. "Well if I had sent the $5 woulcLI have been accepted as a member?" O* Mr. Loftus said he could not speak tor the association, but as for him self decidedly no. "From what I know, now I would not admit you," was his answer. "Oh, then, you have just found me out," said Peterson with some spirit. Some La Follette speeches had been sent out under the senator's frank during the campaign, and these con tained an attack on Senator Nelson. Mr. Loftus admitted that they had gone out with the association's in dorsement, but he would not admit that they were an attack on Senator Nelson. They contained his record. During the session of the house Thursday a petition signed by a num ber of New Ulm people protesting against the investigation was received, and Mr. Loftus was asked by John Lennon why he had not turned it over to the committee direct instead. "Was it not your aim to prejudice us with the people?" asked Mr Lennon. "No, I did not think the committee would give me or the petition fair treatment," was Mr. Loftus' answer. Besides he said he had nothing to do with the petition. He had seen it drawn up, but had not dictated any of its contents. A newspaper editor, he said, was largely responsible. "You were at New Ulm?" then ask ed Mr. Lennon. "Yes, and I heard considerable about Mr. Peterson." "Naturally," interrupted Mr. Len non. "He has been made postmaster there." "Yes, they were saying Sam might be able to pay a few of his debts now." "Cut that out," said Mr. Lennon with considerable emphasis. "At least be a gentleman. Because a man has been unfortunate there is no need to crow over the fact in public. This is no place for personalities." Mr. Loftus was asked if he had ever solicited rebates, which brought an objection from Mr. Manahan to the effect that the association was under investigation, not Mr. Loftus. "Objection overruled," said Mr. Peterson with considerable judicial dignity. Mr. Loftus answered, "No. His work and that of the association was directed at recovering overcharges. They jvere in the nature of rebates if O E S An arm rocker, similar to cut, with solid seat, a handsome rocker and durable, the best you can get at the price. $1.25. that was what the committee was driv ing at. Neither he nor his firm had ever asked for rebates from the estab lished rates. As a rebater, he said, President Stickney had said he was the worst in the state. He now had on file claims for over $4,000 in over charges, and it was through his ac tivity that indictments were brought against a number of railroad com panies in Minneapolis recently. Mr. Loftus admitted that he had col lected rebates when the custom was recognized, but not since the enact ment of the Elkins law. He continued to collect overcharges though and added that, if he did not, he and his firm would soon go out of business. Starting in with personalities the feature, the examination finished on a more business basis. Mr. Lennon took charge here and both he and Mr. Loftus seemed to be more agreed on the questions made and the answer given. Mr. Lennon prefaced his turn at the wheel with the statement that all would get a square seal. "We have got to make a report and we are not out to get anybody," said Mr. Lennon. "If things are in your favor Mr. Loftus then you will get full credit, and if they are not, the truth will also be told. Mr. Loftus was asked if a clerk in his employ had not at one time stolen some money collected. Mr. Manahan objected, as that was before the association was formed, and the matter was dropped. Mr. Loftus was asked if the asso ciation always stood by those who had endorsed the principles it advocated. "That depends," answered Mr. Lof tus. "Sometimes men are not sincere in their endorsement. They vote for a thing because their negative would not have any effect. "Oh, then you do not even give them credit for what they do do?" "Not necessarily." "Well, then, if a man came out squarely would you stand by him?" Mr. Loftus wanted to know the man referred to and the name of Mr. O'Laughlin, of Wabasha county, was mentioned. Here itdeveloped that Senator Cook, his opponent, who was "not right" and who landed the place first, was opposed by the association but later the association withdrew its opposi tion. This had been done after some correspondence and a conference with Senator Cook. Mr. O'Laughlin had signed the association's cards and Mr. Cook had not. This was one of the inconsistencies the committee professed to be able to H. FORSTER, Th Leadin Furniture Here is a high grade carriage with rubber tires and parasol conopy which we can able to sell at the astonishingly low price of only $5.00. rjFM?y- $ 3 S O H-«t-***»«^. & SEWING MACHINE. High Arm Drop Head. This is the best of the cheap machines that can be had for the money. A Bargan: at $14.75 Also NEW ROZAL WILSON, ines. JOHN H, FORSTER, and Undertaking a Specialty -:X*-&&> see into though Mr. Loftus insisted that his explanation was satisfactory. A list of non-paying members, those in arrears with the association was shown Mr. Loftus whichhe recognized. On one was the name of the National Harvester company. This the com mittee took to mean that the trust was a member, but Mr. Loftus contended not.' ^W!fMi^yMM^§IWi^MS§ "That is an agent of the company in one of the small towns," said Mr. Loftus. "We have lots of thena." In this way the examination con tinued. Little, it might be said, was realized. The small committee room was crowded with spectators and they included a number of the senators who are close to Mr. Loftus and his work for shipping reform. Reflections of a Bachelor. New York Press: The most fun in going to Europe is that most of your friends can't. The one thing that a woman can't understand about a man is the way he will throw away money on useful things. One of the meanest things about hav ing money is the way every body wor ries for fear you will keep on having it. If a girl drops her.glove and a man picks it up for her she tells how he made it happen so he could try to flirt with her. When you hear a man bawling at the top of the lungs he will try to tell you afterward that he was listening to a political argument. Pointed Paragraphs Chicago News: Dead men tell no tales, but the anecdotes their frieds tell about them more than make up for it. The recording angel doubtless has to keep a special set of books in which to record secrets women do not keep. Think twice before you speak and if you think three times the chances are you will not think it necessary to speak at all. When a young widow begins to take the advice ©f a man seriously it's a sure sign that she is willing to let him fill the shoes of the late lamented. Farm Wanted. "Would like a half section, or less, of good land at its value, if party will take in part payment my double store building, valued at $6000, well located in Radcliffe, Iowa, and rented to good tenants. Steam heated, lighted by citjy gas, throughout, and in first olasls repair. Address Post Office Box 10, Radcliffe, Iowa." WHEELER both high grade mach- Mi Very truly yours, W. B. BALLARD. This car riage, with rubber tires and beatiful parosol can opy only $9.00. In the spring of the year a door mat will help to keep the house clean. Do not be without onef when you can get it at from upwards of •%fi What a wealth of warmth .. and comfort is represented %*k in a nice new fur garment and what satisfaction it is -'•s to the wearer of such an article to know that she or he is protected against winter's cold blasts! When fur goods come from us you know that 42 years' experience in furs is back 1 of each article we sell. A call will convince you that our prices are right" Furs for Xmas gifts. Make your selection now and we will put them aside for later delivery. Ghas. A. Albrecht .'•• "384 Wabasha St. fj|f|j| St. Paul, Minn. The Wabasha Street Furrier Do you like it? Then why be contented with it? Have to be? Oh, no! Just put on Ayer's.Hair Vigor and have long, thick hair soft, even hair. But first of- all, stop your hair from coming out. Save what you have, Ayer's Hair Vigor will not disappoint you. It feeds the hair-bulbs makes weak hair strong. The best kind of a testimonial Sold for over sixty years." ltM«iry*»^"r'i~iiii»rrriiiiWMW,,iHWiMMil'iB«a'i viiMini'iimiwi Blade by J. O. Ayer Co., Lowell, Mass. Alao manufacturers of Patent door mat like cut $1.50. MORRIS CHAIR. Solid oak frame, cov ered with nice green ver ona, for the small amount of ,$5.50 fe& -M^MkS^ ^A ,t# «!i "•K., SARSAPARILLA. PILLS. CHERRY PECTORAL. FOR SALE—The Francois farm. South of Redwood Falls, near Clements fine building in large hard wood grove, blue grass pastures, gently rolling rich soil,, two windmills and good wells, all fenced. A beauti ful home, will sell for half price. Must' sell. Address: Nels Quevli, Box 18,. Dan vers, Minn. 11, 2t IRON BEDS. We- carry these in all styles, sizes and color finishes. Prices upward from $1.7 5 DOORMATS, .75 GO-CARTS. The most sensible and prac ticable carriage for babies and children. We have them in all styles and finishes, prices upward from $X*75