The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-04-05
MONEY At 5 PER CENT
LOANED on D. C REAL ESTATE
HEISKELL & McLERAy.
l4os STREET
MERCHANTS FEAR GRAIN BILL
BaltimOreans Object to Proposed
State Inspection.
President England, OF Chamber OF
Commerce, shows How Law
Would Affect Trade.

Commission merchants and members OF
the trade bodies IN Baltimore are much
wrought up over the OIL introduced in
the Maryland legislature providing for
State grain inspection. In Baltimore q
system Of grain inspection : ia operation
which may be described as an appendase
Of the chamber OF commerce Of that city.
The inspectors are appointed and practi-
cally employed by tie chamber OF COM
meree, and are the creatures of that body.
Charles England. in a published inter-
view the other day. had the following to
say about the proposed law and its ef-
feet upon the grain trade in Baltimore:
The reports OF the provisions Of this
bin indicate that should the proposed
measure become a law it will revolution
lie the present method of handling grain
at the port OF Baltimore. if not prove
disastrous to the grain trade.
THE proposed law abolishes the present
system Of grain inspection. which IS the
result Of years Of patient toll on the part
of the grain trade. and viii legislate out
of Office all the grain inspectors. who
have efficiently and honestly served the
chamber Of commerce for years. and sup
plant them with men not experienced in
the handling of grain, and without the
technical knowledge necessary for the full
fllment of their important duties
THE inspectors are to be appointed by
the governor for the four years, unless
sooner removed for cause. This is one OF
the most Objectionable features OF the bill,
as it is claimed by every one familiar with
the grain business that no man IS regard
ed as an efficient inspector Of grain who
has not had years OF experience in that
special line. As evidence OF this the pres
ent chief inspector Of Baltimore has been
in the employ Of the Chamber Of Com
merce thirty-three years. the first inspec-
tor has served in the department over
twenty-five years, and It is customary
not TO promote those in the department
as apprentices to the position of assistant
Inspector until they have had five years
experience.
"A more drastic and impracticable
measure cannot be conceived tnan the
proposed BILL and If put into effect it
will not only drive the Western grain
trade to near competing points, but VIII
ers hardships for which there are no
compensating features. IL viii eventual
ly put upon the Maryland grain producers
burden which they cannot stand. be-
cause II would be matter Of impossi-
bllity for grain coming from other States
to be handled under such absurd cond!-
lions, The small amount OF Maryland
grain which is received at the port Of
Baltimore viii. under the proposed chang
ed conditions. be taxed for practically the
entire expense Of maintaining the State
inspection department That Maryland
grain alone cannot support an inspection
department is evidenced from the fact
that there was received at Baltimore dur
ing the year 1907 81. 02S,651 bushels OF all
kinds OF grain. Of which approximately
there was received from the State OF
Maryland 100000 bushels. of about per-
cent
Baltimore grades have been establish
ed after years of experience and are
known all over the world To change the
present system and grades would be
throwing away all the advantages which
have BEEN secured for Baltimore ana
start anew under strong competition
from neighboring ports, also under adj
verse conditions. and il is impossible 10
conceive that the business could be main
tanned after this change