The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-24
U. S. GRAIN GRADES.
Senator McCumber Discusses the
Need for the Bill He Intro
II .a--@ duced Monday.
N. Dakota Senator Thinks Abuses
Of Present State Inspection
- F.&.E& -
Would Be Corrected. f..
From Tho Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build
Ing, Washinston s' t..' = = = 80

From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build
ing, Washington. - 80
Washington, Jan. Ex-senator McCum-
Der Of North Dakota, in discussing the
bill which he introduced on Monday last
for uniform grain inspection throughout
the country, said: .,, .
There has been a growing d1ssatisfac
ton among the producers of wheat, not
only In our own state, but in Minnesota
as We'll. with the system of grain inspec-
ton and grading in the principal cities
TO which the wheat is destined. While
the cause for complaint may be some
what exaggerated, there is no question
but that in many instances 1t is we'll
founded and the feeling Is general among
the farmers. For instance, it is claimed
that there Is much greater quantity of
No. I Northern wheat sold for consump
t1on and 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 No.
] northern In say equal quantities, and
the whole sold for No. / northern. and
the farmer loses just what the cheaper
grain gains by this mixture
Then. too, grain that will grade very
close to No. l northern. but which. fall
Ing to reach the standard, is sold for
No northern, brings no better price
70 the producer than a lower grade which
barely gets over the line of No. and
lands in the No. 2 bin
But the chief complaint seems to be
against the improper grading by the in
spector or his deputies. know Of NV own
personal knowledge as a shipper Of grain,
that there is reasonable cause for ap-
prehenslon on the part of any producer
or grain that his grain will not be rightly
graded. or carefully inspected.
1T Is notorious fact that two carloads
OF exactly the same kind of grain weigh
ing the same per bushel, equally clean AND
equally free from moisture. and in al
respects the same. will not only get differ
ent grades at it's destfna ton but the dock
n&e Will vary enormously. While this un-
doubtedly Is due in most instances either
to carelessness or inefficiency, it has ar
appearance of intentional wrong. and car.
ries that conviction to the farmer who
suffers the consequences.
The impression is widespread amons
the farmers OF the northwest that thu
elevator men or shipping interests con
troll the election and appointment of grain
inspectors. and that the latter are no
wholly free from subservience to the in
terests OF the persons securing their an
po1ntment. and while this feeling is u1l
doubleday much more universal than tn
facts justify, we all know 1t Is there. AM
1t is thought that if grades are determine
and the inspectors answerable to that de
partment only for careful and efficien
work 1t will remove the subject mucl
further from political or personal In
fuence
LAS congress can deal with grain grad
Ing and inspection only when the sub
1ect becomes a matter of interstate com
merce 1t IS difficult to frame a bill t.
meet the requirements Of the grain grove
and T. claim no perfection for this partic
ular bill. 1t. however. furnishes basi
for a just and comprehensive considera
t1on Of the subject, and from a discussion
OF its terms. believe 1t could be mad
satisfactorily to accomplish It's purpose
only the grading to which his product il
entitled, but also that peace of mind whicl
comes from the confidence that he ha
received fair and honest treatment
The bill is along the lines Of other
that have been introduced before and
not aimed at any person or corporation
but Is simply intended to secure to tn
producer the grade his product is en-
titled to, and remove any political or per
sonal influences. and establish a standar
that will be the same all over the coun
try OH like character Of grains.
1.-The secretary of agriculture Is no,
Investigating the question Of grain grad
Ing for the purpose Of ascertainin
whether changes in names or standards
grading would best subserve the agricu
tural interests of the country, and it ma
safely be anticipated that he will n,
recommend any change in existing trad
regulations unless such interest demande
1t, and only to the extent Of the de
mand."
w w Jermane