Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-06-10

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ties which present themselves are so
numerous and intricate that only those
who Investigate the subject with just
appreciation of responsibility to serve
all interests impartially can possibly
comprehend them.
The interests involved, although
embraced in state law, are by no
means confined to state lines, but arc
as broad as commerce, being nothin..,;
less than the formation of a system to
control and regulate the movement of
the great grain crops of Minnesota and
incidentally of the Northwest, and to
deliver them in suitable condition to
the markets of the world.
This system must be based upon no
other foundation than that of sound
public honesty, and bear the impress of
good faith and fairness to all men.
Were it anything less it would not
fairly voice the sentiments of the
great constituency which it represents.
For many years the producers of this
state have alleged that they have been
the victims of great injustice by the
system of handling the grain crops,
instituted and controlled by the buyer
only.
With this feeling of injustice in the
past, and determination that it
should continue no longer, the people
of the state made this an issue at the
safe last election. and indeed the para
mount issue, in the election of members
to the legislature, and that body was
overwhelmingly in favor of fixing
definitely the inspection and weighing
of grain, and provided that the bust
ness should be taken out of the hands
of the buyer, and placed under the
supervision of state authority and that
all parties, producer, buyer, miller and
consumer, should rest their interest so
far as the grading and weighing of
grain was concerned, in the hands of
The state ITSELF
THE SYSTEM WAS COMPLEX.
ut was the little buyer with his fiat
warehouse and the merchant, who were
formerly buyers, who, like the regula-
tor in watch, adjusted the markets
and the grades.
"Under that free and flexible system,
grades adjusted themselves and there
we're no complaints The Mississippi
river towns, from Hastings to Browns
ville,are open and free markets, every
one buying who chooses and everyone
shipping that desires, and not COM
p Amt has ever come from a single one
of these places.
''The record shows that they have
paid the highest average price for grain
and with no complaints as to grades.
This is proof of the benefits of COM
mercial freedom
While in the western and northern
dictate of men have practically been
present at every station controlling
prices and grades, all other competitors
have long since disappeared, and wheat
has been marketed upon the most SUBJ
tie and complex system ever before de-
vised, with lines between grades so
close that only the most expert inspect
or could distinguish between them. 1t
is here that the loudest complaints are
heard.
| The commission have endeavored to
simplify the handling of grain as far as
possible, and to establish no more
grades than absolutely necessary to
move the crops with their changed con-
dition in the different seasons.
The commission find now in use in
the three cities of Minneapolis, Duluth
and St. Paul total of seven grades of
spring wheat above No. 3, as follows:
Extra No. l, No. hard, No. North
ern, No. l regular, No. 2 hard, No. 2
Northern, No. regular.
THE GRADES CUT DOWN.
Under the new system there are bu;
three grades above No. 3, as follows
No. 1 hard, No. Northern, No. 2
Northern.
It is believed that the grade of No.
hard as established will be found to
provide for the ''gilt edge' wheat to
the general satisfaction of the friends
of that grade-it certainly represen
he expressed views of very lar"e
majority of the producers of that grade
as well as the millers who desire to give
special value to No. hard Scotch Fife
wheat.
In establishing the grades of Nos. l
and 2 Northern the commission have
adopted the word Northern to give
character and designate as trade ma !:
our Northwestern wheat in the markets
of the world, and thus draw line be-
|
wheat as all know the superiority of
Northern grown wheat.
1t being true that minnesota State
grades are to apply to the crop grown
in the most Northern portion of the
United States the designation of North
ern should be so impressed upon our
wheat as to carry with it into the
markets of the East and to Europe all
the advantage to which it is justly enti-
tied.
| The commission have provided that
No. Northern shall be comprised of
the hard and soft varieties of spring
wheat (not less than so per cent, hard,
with the view that this grade shall be
the great representative milling grade,
and with the hope that when this grade
is we'll understood, both in the country
and in the markets, we shall be able to
market the great bulk of our good mill
ing wheat through this grade.
The test weight of tifty-seven pounds
is fixed with this view and for the pur-
pose stated.
| NO MORE DOCKAGE.
We have abundant evidence that
wheat of this grade is just what has
been in the best demand, and it has
been provided by mixing the several
grades heretofore existing
We hope in the future, when our
people have become acquainted with
these established grades and the new
styles, chat the wheat will be prepared
in the country before shipping with
reference to this grade, and thus give
to the people of our own state, both
merchants and producers, such advan-
tages as may be derived Ply presenting
our crops to the consumers in just that
condition which will command the best
price.
No. 2 Northern will take such grain
as will prove suitable and distinctive
| intermediate between No Northern