The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1909-04-01
GRAIN COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Minnesota System of Inspection
Approved
Approved.

took out only fine dust, chat and light
straw substances. There was no evil
dence that any grain, Or even foul
seeds having any particular weight.
were removed by this draft. 1t was
explained to us that the modern sue
ton system, as employed in the large
terminal houses, was absolutely neces-
sary to collect and carry away fine
and light dust, which is a menace to
the health of the employees and is also
a dangerous explosive. and that this
suction system is required by insur-
ance companies"
The process of weighing is de.
scribed, showing that everything is
done under supervision of bonded
state weighers. Some loaded cars
were found by the Pillsbury "A" mill
that had leaked and were unfit to car
ry grain. Investigation proved that
state employees had made this inspec-
tion," says the board, land had made
a complete record of conditions" 1t
is recommended that the railroads be
required to stand losses by leakage
from such cars. The board finds
there is regular shrinkage of thirty
pounds to the thousand from hauling,
and also that there is a loss in elevat-
ing to hopper scales. Hence it is
suggested that all grain be weighed
on track scales before unloading.
The Market System.
The report goes into the question of
terminal markets, and while it does
not favor board of trade methods, the
system actually employed is described
and not criticized in detail at all. On
this the commissioners say:
while perhaps not strictly germane
to the duties and functions of this
board, we assume the liberty of brief
ly stating the modus operandi in
vogue at the terminals as to the pur.
chase and sale of grain. This business
is conducted almost entirely through
the agency of the Minneapolis cham
Der of commerce and the Duluth and
Superior boards of trade. These are
organizations of men engaged in the
uAlA III lIC ulpOSC VI 1d-
cilitating such business, organized on
the theory that large volume Of
grain that finds it's way to these ter
minals necessitates some central place
where the same, or samples thereof,
can be presented for sale, and where
seller and buyer can meet advanta-
geously to make the trades and pur-
chases which their business necessi-
tates. This board is willing to go on
record as not favorable to so-called
chambers of commerce and boards of
trade, but until some better system is
adopted they must be tolerated.
'These organizations employ grain
samplers and to procure proper SAM
pies of the grain in cars which are
about to be inspected. These samples
are presented on tables during the
opening sessions of the chamber of
commerce or board, with an official
tag affixed showing what the state in
spection was as to such car. This af-
fords reliable way of presenting and
selling the several cars of grain as
they are received from day to day.
The sales so made by members of
these organizations, whose charge is
/ cent bushel for all kinds of grain
except oats. for which charge is
made of 1-2 cent bushel. No dis
elimination is made in the sale of
grain, the shipments Of individuals
receiving the same attention from the
ooro mi ciOn MOI, v,ho oro pooynhorc ~
these organizations as those of larger
concerns.
"A complete record is kept of all sales
as to time. place and price, and from
this record can be ascertained at any
future time the exact price for which
any carload of grain may have been
sold in the past. These organizations
also exercise care as to the financial
standing of the several members con-
nected Herewith who do a commits
sion business and who solicit consign.
ments of grain from shippers"
State Should Lease Terminals.
The report recommends that North
Dakota as state shall lease terminal
elevators at Minneapolis and one at
the head of the lakes for the market
ing of North Dakota grain. 1t adj
vises building grain hospitals in
connection with these. 1t urges a
state law for inspection of local ele-
vators, such as Minnesota has, also
legal forms for storage receipts, scale
inspectors, and reports from all grain
warehouses.
Federal grain inspection is recon-
mended, first because it would make
a uniform standard of grades over the
country; second, because IS per cent
of the grain is raised in North Dakota
is sold outright at local elevators,
where there is no system of inspec-
ton or dockage; third, because
grades inspected out for export are
inferior to grades inspected in, which
works hardship On the producer of
the best grades, and fourth, because
federal inspection would tend to re-
store the confidence of the grain pow
ers OF North Dakota, which has been
sadly lacking under the present sys-