The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-08-27
NO CHANGE IN WHEAT GRADES.

The Railroad and Warehouse Commits
sioners held u meeting Tuesday and de-
cided to maintain the present grades of
wheat for reasons set forth i'm the follow
ing circular.
The commissioners have given the
consideration of existing grain grades a
careful and deliberate examination.
The board gave notice that on Aug. 10
they would give general hearing 10 all
interested in the matter of grain grades
for the ensuing year. A large number
of persons were in attendance, repre-
senting various sections Of the State, and
various branches of the grain trade. A
single proposition was made looking to
the Interpolation of a new grade, but af-
ter full hearing of all persons, the SEN
timent of the meeting was largely adj
verse to any change. A communication
was received from the Duluth Board of
Trade requesting that no change be
made. A resolution from the State
executive committee of the Farmers
Alliance, asking that no change be made
was also received, together with numer-
Gus kilograms from country millers and
others interested, to the same effect.
Subsequent inquiry was made over the
State at large, with view of ascertain
ing the general sentiment of all parties
interested, and the result indicated de-
cided opposition to any change and IA
general satisfaction with the existing
grades. The present system has been
in full operation one year. The years
experience more than meets the expec-
tation of the friends of the grain and
warehouse law. The condition in this
State prior to the introduction of the
present system was one of alleged ire
gularities and injustices to the producers
of the State. After the test of one year,
complaints have almost disappeared
and general satisfaction is manifest. The
commissioners have taken pains to pur-
sue the subject even beyond the State
lines, and found that the system of State
inspection was receiving the confidence
and meeting the wants of the great
markets of the East. 1t has simplitied
the grades, taken away great opportuni
ties for wrong doing, and adopted the
word Northern to give character to and
designate as trademark the Northwest
ern wheat IN the markets of the world
and thus draw line between Northern
and Southern spring wheat. The com
missioners find that all interested
whether producer, shipper or buyer
have become practiced in the handling
of grain by these grades. The line be-
tween grades is sufficiently marked and
distinct. They easily guide the pro
Queer in HE judgment, defend him from
injustice, and, we believe, secure to HIN
the highest possible price for his grain
Both grades and weights have worked tC
the satisfaction of nearly all concerned
and the new crop, even better than the
old one, promises to be adapted to the
present grades. Every shipper in the
State is entitled to the benefit of these
State grades and State weights in ship
ping to st. Paul, Minneapolis and Du
luth. A receiver who fails to give ,
shipper the benefit of State grades anG
weights should be compelled to accept
the grain at the grades and weights o
the shippers, and the shippers shoulC
also be compelled to acquiesce in the IN
spection and weighing at the points de
slgnated. This is construed to be the
true intent of the law. While perfection
is not claimed. it is believed that the oh
jects sought by the law and the commits
sion have been fairly attained, and tina
our people enjoy system of inspecting
and weighing grain equal, ifnot superior
to that of any other State. In view o
all the facts bearing upon the situation
the commissioners deem it manifestly
unwise to make any change in the grade:
established and promulgated Aug. IL
1885, and those grades are, therefore
re-established for the ensuing year.