Evening star., 1901-11-04
INSPECTION OF FLOUR.
Attention Called to Proposed Amend
ments of the Law.

Attention Called to Proposed Amend
ments of the Law.
Messrs. Theodore j. Mayer, Basil B.
Earnshaw and G. W. Cissel, constituting
the -four commission of the District Of Co
lumbia, have written to the District Com
missioners calling their attention to the
present law relative to the inspection Of
flour In the District, and recommending
that it be amended. The commission also
asks the Commissioners to recommend to
Congress the appointment of q flour inspec-
tor at an annual salary of 81 200. The four
commissioners say; ......
The law concerning the inspection, as 1t
exists at present, does not meet, the re-
Quirements- OF such a measure. AT the mo-
ment it is possible for any dishonest miller
to ship unsound and niusty -four to this
city, or to ship short-weight packages, the
latter feature having been detected several
times recently by the -four inspector.
THE law provides for the inspection Of all
-four received in the District of Columbia,
whether in wood, jute, cotton or paper
packages, but it is not far-reaching enough
in that 1t provides penalty for the mer-
chant for non-inspection and does not pro-
vide penalty for the same offense on the
chilly brought to light by a recent decision
by Judge Kimball of our local court.
THE baker in many instances should be
regarded as receiver Of flour, fnasmuch
flour (Which is made into breadstuffs) by
the car load direct from the mills. The
shippers do not pay, nor are they required
to pay, inspection charges; it is the re-
celver who is required to pay. When the
bakers are exempted from fines on account
of non-inspection it then becomes optional
with them to have their flour inspected.
This is one weak feature of the law and
1t should be amended so as to provide a
penalty for all classes. AS the law is in
terpreted now the dealer has to have all Of
his flour inspected, which costs him one
cent per barrel, or 1.50 per car load of $50
and need not have it inspected at all.
thereby really buying his flour $50 per car
less than the wholesale flour merchant.
ITO obviate this injustice and to prevent
miliers from sending unsound flour or short
weight packages to this city, We suggest
that your honorable body appoint compe-
tent flour inspector, at salary of not less
than S1,200 per year. whose duty it shall
be to examine free of charge to the receiver
the various packages of -four (whether in
wood, jute or paper that may be received
into the District of Columbia regarding the
proper weights.
cit shall also be the duty of the flour IL
spector, whenever he is called upon to ex-
anime flour regarding the soundness there
of. to do at his earliest opportunity and
charge the receiver fee at the rate of one
cent per barrel for such examination,
whether the flour is packed in wood, jute
or paper.
"The money thus received to go into the
District treasury at such times as you may
Designate.
Mr.. James H. Welch is recommended by
the members of the commission as one who
would make a desirable official in such a
position. If there be no appropriation avail
able from which such a salary could be
paid the commission asks the Commission
erS to make a special request of Congress
at its coming session for special appro-
priation for the work.