The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-03-09
THE STATE GRAIN INSPECTIONS.

spector,.J. A. James, Is ont IN pAnphlet
form, it being embodied in the Railroad
and Warehouse Commissioners report.
Mr.. James assumed the duties of chief
grain inspector December LIST, 1885, and
it is but just to faithful officer TO say
that he has managed the affairs of his
department in most business-like and
altogether satisfactory manner. 1t has
been his constant aim to use all alike
showing partiality to none, and giving just
grades to all. Never in the history of
the State has the grading of grain been
so satisfactory as at present, but 1t is
likely there are yetimprovements which
can be made, and will be from time TO
time as experience demonstrates the ne
cessity. The report shows most graft
flying financial condition of affairs in the
department. When James succeeded
Burdick in Dec, 1885, the latter turned
over to the newly appointed chief SILL
566.24. But this amount included three
months receipts which should apply on
the business Of the fiscal year ending
August 3lst, 1887, in order to show the
comparison of net earnings of the de-
psrtment for the two years ending as
above. In reality Mr.. Burdlck turned
over less than 5000 to his successor for
the one year, while Mr.. James report
shows the net earnings to be $l9,642.2l
for the first year of his term.
This shows how rapidly the system of
State grading and inspection is coming
into favor, and proves conclusively the
wisdom of the law establishing this
branch as a part and parcel of the State
administration, under the control of
State laws and protected by authorized
officials who are under heavy bonds for
the faithful performance of their duties
and the strict compliance with law. The
expense incurred in conducting the in
spection department last year was $s4,-
471.29, against So, 1S4.09 the previous
year, while the amount of grain
inspected was nearly double.
There is no apparent reason why the
cost of inspection Us cents per carr can
not be reduced; and Mr.. James implies
as much in his report. He sets forth
the fact that the last crop was unusually
large-exceeding all estimates-and
should the present year prove as good,
the revenue derived from inspection
would be unnecessarily swelled. On the
other hand should the crop depreciate
materially the cost of handling would be
very little less, in which event the re-
ceipts under the reduction of inspec-
ton might not cover expenses. But it
would seem that a surplus of nearly
$4,000 would guarantee the Railroad
commissioners cutting down the rates
to 20 or % cents per car. 1t would do
no harm to try this for season and
note the result.
Accompanying the report are several
tabulated statements showing the
smount of grain inspected in and out at
st. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth, the
roster of deputies, track men, weigh
masters, etc.. all of which 20 to show
the complete workings of the depart
ment. Very few people in the state
have probably stopped to consider the
magnitude of the grain inspection which
has been done in Minnesota for year.
If reduced to carload lots-averaging $50
bushels per carve have 1901 cars.
Taking the average length of a car to be
IS feet, and multiplying this by the total
number of cars we find the total num-
Der of feet to be 6, 4O9, 4S5. Reduce the
same to miles, and we have a continuous
string of cars 12193 miles long. A train
of cars reaching from Mankato to New
York City, loaded with grain inspected
by the State, will show that it is no
small item of commerce.
The following table Will prove inter-
esting to our readers:
Total No. ears inspected Of spring
wheat at st. Paul, Minneapolis
Total No. cars inspected of winter
wheat and coarse grain at st. Paul,
Minneapolis and Duluth. 6,412
Total arriving from country and I'm.
loaded into elevators and Mills. 120,3s5
Total inspected into cars out Of elev's 2+OO4
Total No. car loads inspected in and
AS S1s Of 9 So S@sss snq mills a.as
Total bus all grains in and out of cars7s 1885, $50
Total bus. all grains into boats q, 3O2, 9S9
Grand total buinspected during yearltO, $50 $50
Sixty-one men aggregates the entire
force employed in the inspectors de-
partment, and not one of the number
holds sinecure position. The track
men especially are subjected to many
dangers, being required to inspect cars
in the yards where scores of switch en-
gines are constantly at work.
The two years in which the grain in
spection law has been in force has
proved it success, and something that
cannot be dispensed with if the farmer
is to be protected against the rapacious
greed of monopolies and trusts Before
the present law was framed the Mime
apolis Chamber of Commerce establish
ed grades to suit the Minneapolis mill
ers, and the grading cost the farmer just
the same as it does now, without the
protection of State laws and State
agents.