Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-01-27
covERNMErJ GRAIN INSPECTION

Ino tribune mas received a copy OF
the bill for the government inspection
of grain, recently introduced by Sen
ator McCumber in the United States
senate. The matter of grain inspec-
ton is an interesting one before the
North Dakota legislature this winter.
Senator McCumber has given out an
interview explaining his government
inspection bill, and says:
There has been a growing dissatis-
faction among the producers of wheat.
not only in our own state, but in Min
nesota as we'll, with the system of
grain inspection and grading in the
principal cities to which the wheat is
destined. While the cause for COM
plant may be somewhat exaggerated,
there is no question but that in many
instances it is well founded, and the
feeling is general among the farmers.
For instance, it is claimed that there
is a much greater quantity of No. /
Northern wheat sold for consumption
n transportation abroad at the great
markets than there is of the same
grade taken in at these markets. And
there is probably some truth in this.
1t is claimed that wheat purchased as
No. 2 northern is mingled with grades
of N. ! northern in say equal uuanti-
HOS nnl ~ I1 -zv =
northern, and the farmer loses Just
what the cheaper grain gains by this
mixture.
Then, too, grain that will grade
very close to No. | northern, but
which. failing to reach the standard.
is sold for No. 2 northern. brings no
better price to the producer than a
lower grade which barely gets over
the line Of No. 3 and lands in the No.
. bin.
But the chief complaint seems to
be against the improper grading by
the inspector or his deputies. | know
of my own personal knowledge as a
shipper of grain. that there is reason
able cause for apprehension on the
part Of any producer of grain that his
grain will not be rightly graded or
carefully inspected.
1T is a notorious fact that two car
loads of exactly the same kind of
grain. weighing the same per bushel.
equally clean and equally free from
moisture. and in all respects the same.
will not only get different grades of its
destination but the dockage win vary
enormously. While this undoubtedly
is due in most instances either to care
%lessness or ineficiency. it has an APP
pearance of intentional wrong. and car
ries that conviction to the farmer who
suffers the consequences.
THE impression is widespread
among the farmers of the northwest
thai the elevator men or shipping in
terests control the election and an
pointment If grain inspectors. and that
the latter are not wholly free from
subservience to the interests of the
persons securing their appointment.
and while this feeling is undoubtedly
much more universal than the facts
Justify. we all know il is there And
il is thought that if grades are de
termined and fixed by the secretary of
agriculture and the inspectors answer.
able to that department only for care
ful and efficient work it will remove
the subject much further from polit
ica. or personal influence.
AS congress can deal with grair
grading and inspection only when the
subject becomes a matter of interstate
m it is. difficult to frame a bill
to meet the requirements of the grair
grower and I claim no perfection fol
this particular bill. It. however. fur
nlsles a basis for q Just and compre
hensiye consideration of the subject
and from a discussion of its terms.
believe it could he made SATISFACTORY,
10 accomplish its purpose. and secur
TO the producer of grain. o only tn
grading to which his product is er
titled. but also that peace OF min
which comes from the confidence tina
he has received fair and honest trea'
ment.
"The bill is along the lines of other
that have been introduced before -