The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-13
GRAIN-DEALERS' CONVENTION.
A Permanent Organization Effected-Dis-
cussiOn of Important Interests.

The called meeting of the Indiana grain deal
ers, to consider the abuses of the grain trade and
the uses of mutual association and protection,
convened at Masonic Hall on yesterday morning
About l50leading dealers from nearly every sec
ton ofthe State were present, and effected tenn
porary organization, with William Grim, of An
derson in the chair, and William L. Higgins, of
this city, secretary.
The objects of the association and the pressing
need of reform of abuses that have grown up in
the trade formed the subjects of discussion
among which the practice of elevator men and
boards of trade in false inspection and under
grading grain were the most prominent. be-
cause the most destructive of broad trade
interests. An abuse by farmers of the privileges
they have had IN borrowing grain-sacks, and for
getting to return Them also ELECTED share of the
unkind comment of that honest portion of
society. 1t was considered an abuse of ancient
privilege to furnish aprons and dish-towels for
farmers wives that had grown so great that an
entire adjustment was necessary.
The practice of undergrading and false inspec-
ton was justly regarded as menace to the
trade as well as to the true interests of the pro-
ducers themselves and the whole country. It
was a perpetual premium to farmers to furnish
unclean wheat and to raise the most undesirable
varieties 1t was undermining the entire foreign
trade The value of bushel of wheat was
varied from two to ten CENTS according to its
weight, but the proper rules of inspec-
ton were in so many cases evaded that
the difference is ignored and the poorest
wheat that would grade No. determined the
price of the whole grade. If a farmer were to
offer a miller wheat weighing less than sixty
pounds, the miller would refuse to buy It as No.
2, but dealer who is buying for reshipment
would pay the current price, knowing it would
grade as No. in Toledo, New York or else
where. Foreigners have submitted because
they were compelled to- but now they are in a
large measure independent of our supplies, and
1t is necessary that wheat should grade at its
actual value, and become in value what its
grade represents it to be- and not as often the
case, something entirely different
Upon resuming the session at 1:30 P. NJ, the
association proceeded Immediately to permanent
organization, by the election of Mr. Dunlap, of
Franklin, president; Mr.. Wilkinson, of Knights
town, vice president; Mr.. Richardson, of In
dianapolis, treasurer, and Mr. Higgins, of
ayers was appointed, consisting of
John Harrison, of Hendricks county G
Girton, of Shelby county; w. H.
Croucher of Miami; B, F. Crabs, of Montgom-
cry; William Pratt of Hancock, and James
Sweetzer, of Grant
Grain dealers and millers were made available
to membership, and articles of association
adopted The committee on weights and grades
reported as follows: Wheat weighing sixty
pounds to the bushe or by the grain tester, shall
be considered standard. When wheat falls be-
low this standard buyers are requested to make
the following discounts in price, which will make
it equivalent, to-wit;
Wheat weighing 60 pounds. ----- 1c per bushel off
Wheat weighing % pounds. &c per bushel off
Wheat weighing 81 pounds. &c per bushel Off
Wheat weighing 90 pounds. .10c per bushel off
And wheat falling below fifty-six pounds to be
taken at the discretion of the buyer, and with
damaged wheat to use their best judgment, with
the advice to buy at low figure, with a view to
discouraging careless farming.
The report was adopted, as also the one
from the committee on the grain sack nuisance,
which read as follows
Whereas 1t seems impossible to unite all the grain
dealers in the matter of loanng grain sacks farm
and the practice is perncous to the interests
of the grain trade the committee recommends each
county other organized locality to abolish the prac
tice, and that member of the association pledge
himself to all honorable means to bring about
total abandonment of the practice at the earliest
times"
A good deal of miscellaneous discussion en-
sued, and it was ordered that another meeting
be called for the first Tuesday in July, in this
city, by which date something could be de-
termined from the known quantity and condi-
ton of the crops, which would begin to move
about that time, after which the meeting ad-
journed.