The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-04
CRUMBINE DENIES.
Says Smiley Charges on Holding Up
Wheat Cars Unfounded.

Secretary S. J. Crumbine of the
state board of health denies the as
sertions of S. J. Smiley, secretary of
the Kansas Grain Dealers asSocia-
ton, wherein Smiley declared that the
enforcement of the boards orders
would render unstable 100000
bushels of Kansas wheat. Crumbine
also denies that a car of wheat was
held up by his department or that
he is attempting to enforce any order
that is not reasonable and can not be
met by the producers and dealers.
IF Mr. Smiley is correctly quoted -
says Crumbine, "he has either mali
ciously perverted the facts in the case,
or else he has attempted to make a
statement of facts without knowing
what they are, which in either case is
unwarranted.
Mr. Smiley did the department the
honor to call at our offices not long
ago, when the entire matter was
talked over and the attitude of the
department in reference to the two
threshers and the other to the grain
dealers, was thoroughly gone over, SO
that, Mr.. Smiley after being put in
possession of a knowledge of the at
titude of the department., must lay
himself open to the charge of gross
Misrepresentation as to what it was
designed this department should ac-
complish.
The supposed interview is an error.
First: In that no car of wheat vas
held up"
second: That the samples hat were
not taken because of an excess of weed
seed or foreign matter, contained
therein, as the wheat was practically
clean, but was on account q the ele-
vator mixing an inferior and. damaged
stack burnt wheat to good wheat in
just such quantities as might pass the
grade, which operation was witnessed
by our inspector.
Third: This matter does not con-
Germ the farmer, at least, directly, but
concerns those grain elevators that
have so long and continu IGsly fol-
lowed the practice of adding damaged
or inferior grains to good srGin in just
such quantities ds might pass the grade
until they, with Mr.. Smiley, seem to
think it is an inherent right of theirs
to do so, for does not Mr.. Smiley de
clare war; on this department? In
other words, he is declaring war on tie
plain provisions of the GOOD and
drugs act.
Mr.. Smileys other claim that forty
five million bushels of Kansas wheat
would be made unsaleable is too abb
surd for discussion. Up to the present
time l have no knowledge of any
wheat having been made uns4leable
any order of this department..
but we have an increasing amount OF
that thousands of bushels o. |
nigh grade Kansas wheat that WoulI
give the state an enviable record in
he grain markets of the world, is
being manipulated by certain grain /
dealers by the addition of inferior
wheat so as to make such a reputation |
to say nothing about re-
lucing the grade and the quality OF |
he flour made from such mixed OF |
.dulterated wheat.
ITO summarize: This department |
las not held up" or seized" any cars |
If wheat up to the present time, nor
on in the state for selling wheat con-
aiming weed seed. Not bushel of
wheat, so far as we have any know
edge. but what has found market,
hat has been offered for sale, and we
rave evidence from all over the states
hat the warnings sent to threshers
nd grain dealers have been inStru-
mental in greatly improving the quail
ty of the wheat in many places.
This department is not cOncerneui
With the grades of wheat, but we are
harged with The enforcement of the
god and drugs act, which III 5ection
# the act specifically prevents Ire
mixing or packing in of grain of an
nferior quality TO good grain. so as to
educe or lower or injurtously affect
IS quality or strength
Lest we be misunderstood. want
O say that the reprehensible practices
bove alluded to, OF thresnefs ana CT
ain elevator men, represent Dur
mall minority Of the men engaged in
his occupation; the great majority
f them are in cordial sympathy ana
earty support with the department in
he provisions of the food and drugs
aw. The minority, however, seems TO
ave enlisted the supper of Mr.
miley who has declared war on the
-ansas food and drugs law, represent
40 the interests of 100000 consum-
RS of the state
John Ewing to the Asylum.