Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-10-28
Tue WHEAT GRADES
a Rs,ssllesa Macils. sy.tsa-Ihs Fsf.srs
Should Turn Il Over.

Should Tara Il Over.
To the Plaindealer: There Is no
doubt but that the farmers Of the
northwest are being most outrageous
ly swindled by the elevator combine
in the grading of wheat at Minneap-
oils and Duluth this season. The
companies early in the season notified
their agents that no wheat should be
graded better than No. 2 that con-
tains even the least amount Of smut.
rye, barley, oats. cookie, or buck
wheat; nor that has the slightest
trace Of bleaching, stock or bin burn,
frost or blight. With such rules in
force, it is no wonder that there is
no more hard and but little l north
ern wheat coming from our state.
Shippers do not fare any better at
the hands of the Minnesota inspec-
tors for the reason that they are grad
ing wheat on the same rules. The
wheat inspectors Office has become
an adjunct of The republican ma
chine, which in turn is controlled by
the Elevator and Millers' combine.
Wheat is graded into their elevators
below and graded out above its actual
grade. 1t Is high time the farmers
overturned this political system of
wheat grading and put the inspectors
Of wheat out of the pale of political
influences. The political bosses Of
the republican party in this state
hatch up their schemes in the Twin
Cities and are more or less mixed up
with the Minnesota machine and Its
influences. Take no chances with
them If you have any regard for your
| own interests. They are contaminat-
ed by the same influences.
Speaking upon this the Jamestown
Alert says:
'The press of both Minnesota and
North Dakota is full of protests
against the results this year OF the
state grading and inspection law OF
Minnesota. The dockage of gram
and shrinkage Of fax, the manlfest
opportunities and disposition to take
advantage of prices and grades nave
never aroused such kick before.
Farmers are realizing that the whole
system is the outgrowth OF the pow
or of the grain and elevator interests
working through legislation, put IN
force and kept mere by the dominant
marty in Minnesota; and this IS as
effectually operative in North Dakota
rs in Minnesota. It is safe to say
that no change can be expected until
a different set of men are elected to
the legislature and to state offices IN
Minnesota. The remedy lies win
the people themselves"
| NJ. Murphy, a West Superior, WIS,
business man and North Dakota grain
raiser. IS another witness to the grain
inspection abuses of the Minnesota
board. He said yesterday that over
three-fourths of the wheat OF this
crop has gone below No. northern
and much Of it No. 2 and rejected.
The reason that is assignee by the
Minnesota inspectors is that there Is
"buckwheat and mustard in it. But
after screening and weighing these
seeds, and after deducting for them
from three to ten pounds bushel,
the wheat itself is then graued OF
because it had the mustard and buck
wheat in it. The whole responsible
ity, says Mr.. Murphy, lies with the
state inspection board or Is claimed
to. and this board is kept in office by
appointment and is regarded as part
OF the spoils of the state administra-
ton. The commission men claim
they are helpless in the matter. In
competency Of inspectors is also de'
clared to be common"
A 'Stutsman County Farmer.