Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-03-21
MINNESOTA STICKS TO GRAIN Law I
North Dakota Legislatures Request for Changes Is Re-
fused and Charges Are Denied Minnesotas
Answer Explains Grain Inspection
Laws of That State.

HAholuSl PAL llCuldl uuIy w Vic ~
spection department during their work
in the railroad yards is to make an
examination of each car of grain for
any leaky conditions that might exist.
When the grade and dockage has
been finally determined, a certificate
of inspection is issued.
Again the car load Of grain comes
under the direct supervision Of the
state department, for the state weigh
err at once makes a careful examina-
ton Of the car TO detect any bad ordor
condition, and most complete record
is made Of any such condition found.
At the large elevators in the system
where the weighing is done on hopper
scale. in the curola, two men are en-
ployed, one being stationed up stairs
where the weighing is done, and the
other man supervises the handling OF
the grain down stairs.
After the examination Of the car has
been completed and the seal record Sc
cured, the car is placed at the unload
ing pit, where by means of powerful
steam shovels the grain Is unloaded.
1t is elevated directly to the garner,
which is the large receiving hopper To-
Gated just above the scale hopper.
After the scale has been properly pal
anced and closed, the grain is drawn
down from the garner into the scale
hopper.
The grain is then carefully weighed
by the state weigher, and the original
entry of weight is made according TO
law In the record book provided for
the purpose.
He then takes specially arranged
ticket, and by means OF the type-regls-
tering device with which all scales are
equipped on which state weights are
given he obtains type-printed -ecoro.
Since an incorrect record cannot oe
obtained from the typeregister, pro-
vided it is not actually out of order, 1t
is practically impossible tor error TO
enter into the work Of weighing under
the present system.
However, no man would assert that
mistakes cannot possibly be made IN
some part OF the operation. for as long
as man is infallible an error will occa-
sionally occur.
Another check upon the work is the
fact that all through the weighing op-
Grafton the state weigher has not been
alone in the work, for the mill or ele-
vator weigher has been present all the
time, and as result two men are en-
abled to compare their work and fig
ures as an extra precaution against
mistakes
When the shipper of car load OF
grain obeys the law by placing caro-
in the car giving the shipping
weight, an immediate investigation is
made If there is an apparent discrep-
ancy between the state weight and
shipping weight.
Where track scales are used instead
of hopper scales, the loaded car Is I'M
coupled from all other cars, placed
upon the scale platform and weighed.
Then, when the grain has been unload
ed, the empty car is weighed to obtain
the tare weight. his tare weight is de-
Quoted from the gross weight to deter
mine the net weight. A complete rec
ord OF the work is kept the same as
in hopper scale weighing, and the
work checked by the type-registering
device previously mentioned.
The state weighing department
thoroughly investigates all claims that
arise in the work, and no effort is con-
sidered too great if in the end just
settlement can be obtained.
The state stands as an arbitrator
between the seller and buyer; it treats
both with equal fairness; it is disin-
terested as to the financial interest in
volved, It's only care being to see that
justice is done.
The state weighers who do the weigh
ing are each under substantial Sc
curity bond of $4,000, and while they
are thus held liable for the results of
their work, still they are wholly indie
pendent, not knowing to whom a sim
gle car of grain belong which they
weigh, and they also know that the
tenure of their office is not dependent
upon the good or i'll will of mill or ele-
vator people at whose industries they
might be stationed.
A close supervision is kept over all
the scales on which state weights are
given, and this work does not mean Or
binary care in the use of the scales,
but means complete and severe test
up to full capacity of every scale in the
system.
Al the state weighmaster's Office an
official certificate of weight is issued
bearing upon its face the car number,
initial contents and state weight. to-
gether with the time and place of
weighing This certificate is stamp
ed with the seal Of the Office Of the
state weigkmaster and forms the basis
Of settlement between seller and buyer
in the matter of weight.
Another very important branch Of
the state weighing service is the sys-
TEN of watching or patrol, whereby the
cars loaded are continually watched
while going through the terminal
yards to detect any leaking conditions
that might exist, as well as to guard
against pilferage.
Say "Cure" Aided Death.
St. Cloud, Mimi, March 13.-Alleg-