186 DEEP FURROWS 



Saskatchewan Grain Growers, and E. J. Fream, of 

 the United Farmers of Alberta these practical men 

 figuratively took off their coats and waded in when 

 they got in conference with Senate members. They 

 preferred to see the whole bill killed unless the objec- 

 tionable clause regarding car distribution were struck 

 out; they saw the old-time elevator abuses again 

 becoming possible and quite nullifying the many good 

 features which the new legislation possessed. 



The final upshot was that somewhat unexpectedly 

 Hon. Senator Lougheed, leader in the Upper House, 

 withdrew the offending clause on behalf of the Govern- 

 ment, although the Government felt that the farmers 

 were unduly excited. 



The new Board of Grain Commissioners was 

 appointed without delay and consisted of three men 

 who understood Western conditions W. D. Staples, 

 of Treherne, Manitoba; Frank E. Gibbs, of Fort 

 William, and Dr. Robert Magill, now Secretary of the 

 Winnipeg Grain Exchange. Dr. Magill was made Chief 

 Grain Commissioner, for he had rendered excellent 

 services in the past and commanded the respect of the 

 entire West. 



The Board was not long in reaching the conclusion 

 that if grain dealing companies were to be eliminated 

 from the business of owning and operating terminal 

 elevators, outright purchase and breaking of leases 

 would be necessary. The companies refused to lease 

 to the Government voluntarily on any terms which the 

 Board could recommend. Some would not lease on any 

 terms whatever, claiming that to lease their terminals 

 would dislocate their whole system of interior elevators, 

 involving a loss of capital which had been invested 

 legitimately. Apart from this, the Board had its hands 



