FARMERS' EXCHANGE COLLAPSES 



went over there as a board. After meeting — ^part sat 

 on one side of the table and part on the other — I think 

 IVIr. Major asked if they objected to the man that 

 would represent the Farmers' Exchange on the board. 

 He has a membership [in the Chamber of Commerce]. 

 They said no, not at all; that he had been there in 

 good standing nine or ten years, and they had no ob- 

 jection to him as a man. 



I remarked, " I suppose it is our financial condition," 

 and if that were the case, if they would state the 

 amount of money necessary for us to place in the 

 treasury so that we would be considered responsible 

 financially — if they would name that amoimt, if that 

 was the objection, if we could not place that amount 

 in the treasury we would not ask them further for a 

 seat on the Chamber of Commerce. 



They said it was not a question of finance. I said: 



If it is not a question of finance or of the man that 

 represents us on the board [floor of the Chamber] 

 what is the trouble? 



Interstate Commerce Commissioner Prouty. — 

 What did they reply to that? 



Mr, Case. — I have not had a reply. 



Mr, Marble (counsel for the Interstate Commerce 

 Commission). — You have not yet succeeded in getting 

 that membership? 



Mr. Case. — No sir. 



Mr. Marble. — Is it practicable for you to sell cash 

 grain in this market without selling it through the 

 Chamber of Commerce? 



Mr. Case. — No. 



Mr. Koon (of counsel for the Chamber of Com- 

 merce). — Is it not a fact, Mr. Case, that your institu- 

 tion to-day is bankrupt, that you have lost your 

 capital? 



9 115 



