The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-01-10
For the Telegraph.
Wheat Inspection and Wheat Weighing in
0hinaro
For the Telegraph.

wheat inspection and wheat weighing, it pre-
sents nothing but barefaced swindling
, nd mockery of justice.
The system of inspecture adopted in Chica-
90 is entirely erroneous and grossly unjust,
even if carried out fairly in practice; but when
great irregularity in practice is added to the
system of inspection. it presents a sickening
picture of Generalization among what by
courtesy are denominated business men.
The quotations which we see in the Chicago
papers Of No. wheat, are wholly fictitious,
there being no such grade of wheat in that
market. 1t is only sold on an imaginary by
pothesis that such an article of commerce, if
it really did exist, or was to be found, would
be worth given sum. The transactions in
that grade of wheat may be illustrated by the
Irishmans proposition for an exchange of
horses
Said Pat to Jimmy, with hop,
"If had horse how'd ye swop?"
The rules of inspection make weight, but
an incident in determining the grade. 1t must
weigh So lbs and over, and be free ofaU grain
impurities, with other conditions relating to
the variety of the wheat &c.
If we lacked the statements of dealers in
Chicago, there would be no difficulty in deter
mining from the rules themselves, that no
such grade of wheat is in reality changing
hands in Chicago. The question arises, "what
useful purpose is accomplished by the quota
ton ofaigrade of wheat which is not in reality
in the market" The only answer that can be
given to that question is that it affords basis
for fictitious operations for those who may be
inclined tell upon the probabilities of rise or
depression in the market. 1t also affords a
credit to the market of paying prices, which
though imaginary rather than apparent, has
its effect.
But leaving the question of No. wheat
where it belongs, shadow and not a sub
stance, we come next to speak of the rules of
that market relating to such grades as No 2
and rejected, which are grades of wheat really
bought and sold in that market. Clean sound
wheat that grades IS lbs is No2, and wheat
equally clean and sound that grades 81 or
even 54115 is rejected. Now the difference in
prices paid for these two grades of wheat ran
ges from 40 to 60 cents bushel, depending
upon the feeling in the market. The question
to be answered is, is there in reality differ
ence of60 or even 40 cents bushel in the
bona ttde values of the two grades.
But when we come to the practical opera
tions of the market we find the rules ofinspec-
ton. as hard and unjust as they are, a mere
cover and snare for the transactions of the
most reprehensible character. In shipping
wheat to that market you can have no certain
| ty from the quality and grade of wheat you
put in the car what it will inspect in Chicago.
The rules of storage in Chicago Of half a
cent for summer, and four cents for
winter storage, is a mere bagatelle
| to elevator men in that city. But
the rule of determining prices by inspection
presents field for enterprize-a temptation
which to avaricious minds is well nigh irresist-
able. The shipper pays the inspector 80 cents
car load for inspecture, which is charged
| against the wheat. If the inspector for con-
sderation can be induced to inspect car load
of No. wheat as rejected, (allowing so cents
bushel as the difference in price between No
2 and rejected, and the car load to contain $50
bushels) it will be seen that the elevator men
gain $175, on the car of wheat by means of the
fraudulent inspection. It would not answer
| to manipulate all the cars of No. wheat in
the manner indicated; but change of even {
cars day would throw into the hands of the
elevator men the sum of $525, as the nett result
of one days manipulation.
There is game called ''thimble rigging. ,
where the chances are all on the side of the
operator. There is saying when speaking O
this game,-"Look where the ball is and il
amt there" So with these ''practica1
deceivers" who carry on their person the title
of grain inspectors in Chicago. The inspec
tion you are sure of, you are sure of not getting
The best car loads of No. 2, step into the No
2 bin in the elevator, and "presto change. ,
| the ticket comes out rejected.
! Like the unjust Judge that claimed that thu
robes of his office, and not the BODY which
they enclosed were responsible for the decis
ions of the Court" so the grain Inspector
make IN offieious display of the insignia O.
their Office, as a bar to Investigation They
hold the sign manual of the Secretary of thu
Board of Trade; who can geinsay such author
ity
No one can tell on given day who is to bt
hit, and no single dealer what day he is to re
ceive blow. A certain number of cars of No
2wheat are to go in as rejected, without re
spect to quality or person, and this accounts
for the fact that dealers are frequently astound
ed to find car load of extra No. 2 inspected
| as rejected, while another car that was expec
ted to barely rub through as No. q pass that in
spectionl unquestioned.
But there is another contingency upon which
the value of your shipment Of grain very mucl
depends. 1t frequently happens that your ca
load of wheat, as matter of courtesy NAV b,
called mistake in weighing, falls short of tn,
actual amount sent forward from to 40 bush
els, and occasionally more than even thai
amount. Ii man sent $500 to a Banker ho
Express and should receive in return recein
for $3.50, it would amount to the same trans
action in practice. Private remonstrance
have been repeatedly made, and some interio
dealers have threatened resort TO the courts
These expedients have proved of only tempo
rary utlllty. several dealers of well known
character and integrity have sent communica
tons to the Chicago papers, under their owl
signatures containing the most explicit state
ments of the injuries they have received il
both inspection and weights; and the follow
ing from the Chicago Journal, may be taker
as sample OF the general scope and tenor Of
| them all:
DEMENT,, ILL.,, Dec. a, 1866
To the Editor of the Chicago Evening journal:
Seeing that you are not afraid to state facts and
VIII stand up for the rights of all classes of men, we
VIII state Jew facts, or, rather give little of our
experience in shipping grain to Chicago. Last
| summer we bought of one man about Q 500 bushels
of Yellow Corn, all equally good, and had mart OF
1t inspected No. and part No. 2. September Goth
turn showed shortage of IS bushels and so BIS
October 23, we shipped car No. Afro No. 2 wheat
and the returns show that it inspected Rejected
This was decidedly the best car of wheat that we
have shipped this season, and there is good rea-
son why it should not have inspected No 2 No
yember 9Th, we shipped No. 4456 containing 81
bushels OF wheat Now this all weighed by dis
interested parties, and the returns show thai the
car contained 2S9 bushels and 20 lbs showing short
age OF Is bushels and 40 lbs Now where does if
go, If they are all strictly honest The fact is we
are never sure what grade it will be- or how mncb
the car contains, until we get returns from Chicago
and If we say anything to them about the weisht
from any of them. Other grain shippers in tbie
place have had about the same experience as on
selves. am taking too much of your time and
space, but hope every grain shipper in the North
west will feel interested in paper that will stand
up for their rights. A. DIMoN, & Co
WARREN, Dec. 5, 1866.
To the Editor of the Chicago Evening Journsl:
DEAR SIR Being a reader of your paper and
grain dealer. and seeing