Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-03


This morning in tho Police Court the de-
PENDANT was charged with careless driving. II
was shown that the young man after the acct.
dent instead of driving off, stopped and
picked up the child and then went for the doc
tor. Judge Miller gave him the benefit Of his
kind attention to the child and imposed 6ne
Of only sl0.
GRAIN AND FOOD INSPECTION.
The District Commissioners Reconsider
Their Action on the Bill.
The District Commissioners. at the request OF
the Grain Exchange, recently recommended
the passage of a law establishing o compulsory
inspection of all grain, hay, straw or feed COM
ing to the city by rail boat. Since that action
considerable opposition to the measure has de-
veloped, and the Commissioners yesterday ad-
dressed to the House and Senate District COM
mittees the following letter:
In response to reference to them of Senate
bill 1885, creating the Office of inspector Of hay
straw, grain and feed in aud for the District Of
Columbia, the Commissioners have to reply
that this bill was presented to them by COM
mittee Of the Grain Exchange Of this city, with
the statement that was approved by that body
or business men.
The Commissioners made inquiry Of men be-
heveo to be intelligent in business of hike
character, and found general concurrence of
opinion In Its favor, and orally recommended
Its enactment to the committee on the District
OF columbia. Later however, a determined
and aggressive opposition from most of the
larger dealers in the articles enumerated in
the Dill has developed and cogent reasons
given why such law is not required for the
protection OF the consumer, and why it would
be oppressive to the dealer. The opponents of
the bill produce evidence that in several Of
the states such laws have been found trouble
some and insufficient for any good, and have
been repealed.
While the opposition has not convinced the
commissioners that the proposed law is not de-
sirable and expedient, the fact that a compul-
sorry inspection OF hay, straw, grain and feed
has been tried elsewhere, and in many in
stances abandoned, induces them to suggest
that the bill lie over this session Of Congress
for further information.
There does not seem TO be any opposition to
system OF voluntary inspection of the above
named articles. law with this feature only
would, perhaps, be sufficient, if it gave the
absolute right to either the seller Of buyer TO
demand an inspection and imposed sufficient
penalty upon any one who should decline to
submit to it. The Commissioners are not now
prepared to submit such bill
Ii the committee conclude to report this ses-
sion bill providing for the inspection OF grain,
hay and straw the Comm issioners think the
case. howev yer, is not one of such exigency as
requires immediate legislation.
They take the liberty to forward herewith by
request, certain papers relating to the bill in
question.
THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER cITIEs
On hearing Of the proposed law Mr.. p II.
Hill, the produce broker, wrote to the leading
commercial bodies of the country to learn the
custom with them and their opinion of such a
law. He has already received replies from
the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce. Chi
cago Board OF Trade, Baltimore Corn and
Flour Exchange, Memphis Grain Association,
New York Produce Exchange, Denver Cham
Der OF Commerce and Board of Trade, St
Louis Merchants Exchange, Boston Chamber
OF Commerce. New Orleans Board of Trade
Louisville Board of Trade, Atlanta Board of
Trade, Charleston, SC, Merchants Exchange,
Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. Toledo
Produce Exchange, Norfolk, Va, Chamber Of
Commerce, Richmond Grain and Cotton Ex-
change and other bodies. It was learned that
in some parts of the south such a law had
been tried and abandoned, while nowhere was
1T in use now and never had been in the west
The only compulsory inspection there is that
OF grain that is dumped together in vast ele-
vators and must be inspected to maintain
grades that are recognized in the markets Of
the world
The secretary OF the Chicago Board of Trade
expressed the belief that such law would be
very detrimental to the business interests of
the District and curtail the volume of receipts
there Is no such law in that city or state and
that the exchange would oppose its enact
ment here. The secretary of the Indianapolis
Board of Trade said no such law exists there or
anywhere else within the extended circle Of
his commercial acquaintance.
IN FAVOR OF AN INSPECTOR.
Mr.. James L. Barbour said this morning to
STAR reporter in regard to the proposed law
that the dealers seemed to be about evenly di-
vided on it. 1t does not provide for the in
spection OF produce coming to the city in farm
wagons but only such rs comes in car lots or
boat loads. Disputes, he said. frequently arise
between local dealers and outside shippers as
70 the grade OF grain or other produce. and as
there Is no official inspector much inconveni-
ence ls occasioned. Some shippers complain
he said, that when prices so up their consign-
ments are kept, but when II goes down they
are rejected. He favored an inspector whose
decision would be final in such cases. The in
spection would cost about 25 or 80 cents a car.
he said, and might cost him $500 or $500 A
year, but he thought it the easiest way to ad-
just all differences, and would result in giving
the Washington grades a standing with those of
commercial cities of the west. There is a diff
ference OF opinion among Dealers he said and
an honest difference, but as for himself he
would be glad to have an inspector whose au-
thority would be recognized as official and
final by both buyer and seller.
The Growers Will Go Down the River.
Washington Lodge. No. 2, 1.-THE Growers"
has made arrangements for its annual excur-
sion to take place next Thursday evening, ON
the steamer Samuel J. Pentz, to River View.
This occasion will be a notable one in the
history of the order in Washington, as the
lodge will be honored with the presence of the
Grand Lodge.
On the day previous to the excursion the
Grand Lodge will hold its annual convocation
in this city at the hall of Washington Lodge,
No. 2, 904 Pennsylvania avenue.
1t is expected that large number Of men,
bers of the order will come from New York, ac-
eOmpanied by friends. The District lodge
has determined to give their brethren a royal
reception, which will include banquet in the
evening, winding up with grand social
session.
Takoma Parks Celebration.
This afternoon Takoma Park is celebrating
its sixth birthday. The residents are picnicking
and roasting oxen whole The celebration will
be continued tonight with a general illumina-
ton and speeches. Mr.. b. H. Warner will pre-
side, and among the speakers announced are
Hon. j. w. Henderson, Hon. L. E.
McComas, Hon. II. C. Coleman, Hon. c.
4. Hooker and Hon. j. j. Uemphill. The