Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-12

Hon. Lyman Loring, president, and
Hon. George Giles, secretary, Of the farm
ers' board of trade, upon whom was de-
volved the duty by their associate mem
bers, of preparing the report of the board
to the legislature, embodying its views as
outlined in the discussion, resolutions,
adopted, etc., at the meeting in this city
last week, yesterday placed the report in
tie hands OF Gov. Hubbard, who has con-
sented to its publication in advance of
its presentation to the body to whom
it is made. 1t is as follows:
THE REPORT.
To the Honorable Senate and House of
Representatives, of the State of Minnesota:
Pursuant to the requirements of the
statutes under which this body is organized
we have the honor to lay before you this,
our second report concerning the matters
with the supervisors of which we are spe-
cially charged.
In the performance Of this duty we have
concluded that it is best fulfilled by call
ing the attention of your honorable body
generally to the matters and cases in
which the agricultural classes are
more particularly interested and
by which they may be more particularly
affected, without attempting in this report
to point out the specific remedial methods
to be adopted1y yourselves; as we feel it
to be more particularly within our province
to show the condition Of the matters upon
which we have no report that the evils COM
planned Of have an existence while the
remedies properly applicable thereto, will
be originated and applied by yourselves.
WHEAT GRADING.
Among the most important topics
which have engaged our atten-
ton, and which particularly and directly
affect the agricultural classes of this state,
and in which, to our mind, the interest of
the entire people of the state and our de-
velopment is largely concerned, are the
questions concerning the grading and in
spection of wheat being the largest
staple produced by our farming classes.
Since the organization of this body, we
have. as required by law, from time TO
time, examined grades of wheat to be OBJ
served by dealers in the different localities
in this state, and the observance of which
would to our minds be extremely benefci-
al to ali classes. But as each grade has
been established, owing to the entire alb
sence of any legislative provisions by
which such observances could be enforced.
such grades have become practically use
less. and their non-observance has become
the rule, and their observance merely the
exception.
When it is recollected that all wheat is
sold by grade, that the margin at which it
is sold is invariably close one,
that its customs surrounding the sale and,
purchase have become almost specula.
tive.-closely resembling the dealings in
stocks,-it will not be necessary to argue
at length that it is of vital importance to
that industry that the grades of wheat
which govern the market price, as between
seller and dealer should be established SO
that the grades shall be fixed and Ger
tain and within the knowledge of the sell
Ter and producer.
AS we have said, the duty of
establishing such grade devolves
upon this board and such grades were es-
tablished; but the absence of legislative
enactments to enforce the observance of
such grades and of penalties for its nom
observance have, as we have before stated,
practically destroyed the usefulness of the
grades established by us, and they are no
Jol o11
either producer or dealer. We therefore
suggest that the grades of wheat in this
state be established, and that without re-
gard to Eastern or foreign markets,
and that such grades, when
so established be enforced by the enact
ment by the legislature itself of proper
penalties for the punishment of its nom
observance.
In our former report upon this subject
we dwelt at some length upon the ne
cessity of the establishment of such grades;
but as that necessity seems to be conceded
we prefer to simply call your attention to
the matter, and to further suggest that the
legislative system to be enacted, if one is
enacted, should involve and provide for the
licensing of all warehousemen engaged in
dealing or purchasing grain, and for sys-
tenn of inspection which would reach all
classes Of buyers and enable the producer
to have the grade of his wheat definitely
fixed and established; and which will not
leave them to the mercy and ignorance or
dishonesty of particular persons who may
be employed to act for the purchaser in
particular localities and whose only interest
in their business is to procure the
best possible wheat at the lowest possible
THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.
prices.
The attention of this body
has been largely given to the exami-
ton and observance of the transportation
question in this state. We find that nder
the present condition of affairs the exten-
sive growth of our railroads, the energy
with which they have been built until they
extend to nearly every hamlet in our state,
and reach far beyond our western bounda-
ries, we find, we say, the business of the
transportation of the products of the soil
and of all kinds of freight