Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-09-12
NEW GRAIN ACT in CANADA.
Government Control Hereafter fo
Terminal Elevators.

SIUllu0I ebSVdSOUSs
Winnipeg, Can, Sept. II. Two
events of Importance have recently
taken place in the grain interests of
Canada. One was the reorganization
of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange and
the removal to the magnificent new
building; the other, the going into eff
feet of the new grain act
This placing of terminal elevators uS-
der government control is one Of TIE
most important features of the ne "
act. This means the preservation TT
the identity of grain thru to the SER
board, as it absolutely prohibits miE-
ing at Fort William, Port Arthur pr
any other terminal or transfer elevh-
tor. If there is to be any mixing II
grain Il must be done before itS}is
graded at all, and as practically all
grading is done before at Winnipeg, it
follows that If there is any mixing
it must be done at Winnipeg or be-
fore the grain arrives there. During
the general movement of wheat in tFe
autumn, as well as for the balarfee
of the year, the terminal and transfer
elevators Of eastern Canada will be
subject to the same rigid inspection
which has been for years enforced
at the head Of the lakes.
The farmers have complained that
elevator operators mixed the grades,
and made a profit out Of 1t to tie
.detriment of the grower, the standalA'
Of whose wheat was lowered in consl n
,quence. This supposed mixing, If
really did. take place, was alwaAr
against the law, but under the new
law it is made impossible.
The other most important change Of
the act, however, is the provision for q
sample market and "order point" a..
Winnipeg. Under the provisions of the
act, the arrangements for sending
brain bought on sample by British or
eastern Canadian millers is suspended
from Sept. to Dec. 10, the rush sea-
son, but applies during the remainder
Of the year. This, in a. measure, gets
over the difficulty of tying up rolling
stock by the detention Of cars at the
time when they are most needed, but
it also makes the sample less of a
possible advantage to the farmer, who
il Obliged to sell at the beginning Of
the season.
This part Of the act is regarded as
nurely an experiment and in discuss
ing it's advantages and disadvantages
it should always be considered from
that standpoint. The chief objection
urged against a sample market by
railway companies and dealers is the
question of delay, especially delay in
getting wheat out before the close of
navigation.
In shipping wheat sold on sample it
is. of course, essential to preserve the
identity of the grain so sold, and in Or
der to do this the shipper is to have
the right to lease special bins from
the elevators thru which it must pass
on it's journey to the seaboard. In this
connection the terminal and transfer
elevators being under direct govern
ment supervision will be as essential
as it is for the wheat going thru in
the ordinary course Of graded wheat
for seaboard cargoes.
The provision for shipping wheat on
sample so as to preserve its identity,
will if it succeeds, as the trainers Of
the act, hope, give the chance to<the
growers of an extra fine sample to get
a better price for it. No man can lease
a bin of less capacity than 10000 BUSH
els. This privilege is subject to the
consent of the warehouse commission
er who has the power to discontinue it
at any time if it is causing a slut of
grain.
If the movement to provide a sam
pie market is a success it will no doubt
induce elevator owners now in the
business in the Canadian west, as well
as others who may go in, to make suit
able provision for this class of trade.