The Brinkley argus., 1916-12-01
FEDERAL OFFICIAL GRAIN STANDARDS Synopsis of Measure Passed by Congress as Prepared
 by Department of
 Agriculture.

 act, which gives the secretary of ag- riculture authority to establish, as soon as may be, official grain standards ap- plicable to grain shipped in interstate or foreign commerce, became law on August II, 1916.
 The act authorizes the secretary of agriculture to investigate the handling and grading of grain and to establish, as soon as may be, standards for corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, flaxseed and other grains. Not less than 90 days public notice must be given in advance of the date on which any such standard becomes effective.
 Whenever such standards are estab- lished for any grain, the act forbids the shipment or delivery for shipment, in interstate or foreign commerce Origi- hating in the United States, of any such grain which is sold, offered for sale, or consigned for sale by grade, un- less it is inspected and graded lJ q licensed inspector, either at the place of shipment, at point in transit, or at the destination. In case no licensed inspector is located either at the point of shipment or at the point of destina- tion, the grain may be shipped without inspection, in which event either party to the transaction may refer any dis pute as to the grade to the secretary of agriculture.
 When grain shipped or delivered for shipment in interstate or foreign con- merce is required to be inspected and graded by licensed inspector, it is made unlawful for any person to repre- sent that it is of a grade other than that stated in certificate issued in compliance with the act.
 Shipment by Sample Permitted.
 The act permits the shipment in in- terstate or foreign commerce, of grain sold by sample or by type, or under any description which is not false and misleading and does not incline any of the terms of the official grain stand ards.
 The secretary of agriculture is au- thorized to examine grain that has been certified to conform to any grade of the official grain standards, or that has been shipped in interstate or for eign commerce. If, after an oppor- tunity for hearing has been given to the interested parties, it is determined that any such grain has been incorrect ly certified or has been sold under q name, description or designation which fe, fo1 icI hn 1iSh his findings.
 Right of Appeal.
 [ When grain shipped in interstate or foreign commerce has been inspected as required by the act, any interested party may, either with or without re- inspection, appeal the question of its grade to the secretary of agriculture. The secretary of agriculture is author ized to determine the true grade of the grain, and his findings are made prima facie evidence of that fact in suits be- tween the parties ill federal courts. | Reasonable fees may be charged for hearing disputes and appeals. When appeals are sustained, such fees are to be refunded. Every person employed to inspect and grade for shipment in. interstate or foreign commerce is prohibited from certifying the grain ac- cording to the official grain standards unless he holds an unsuspended am unrevoked license issued by the seer. tary of agriculture.
 Licensing inspectors.
 Any person who presents satisfac- tory evidence of competency may be licensed as an inspector under the act In states which have or may hereafter have state grain inspection depart ments, the secretary of agriculture is required to issue licenses to persons authorized and employed to inspect and grade grain under the laws of such states. Licensed inspectors and per sons employed by the secretary of az riculture for carrying out the provi- sions of the act are prohibited from l having any interest in any grain ele- vator or warehouse, or in the mer- chandising of grain, or from being em- ployed by any person owning or oper- atiEg any grain elevator or warehouse Licensed inspectors are required to keep records of all grain inspected by them and to make detailed reports to the secretary of agriculture The li- cense of any inspector found to be in- competent, or to have issued any false certificate of grade, or otherwise to have violated any provision of the act, may be suspended or revoked by the secretary of agriculture.
 Penalties.
 Any licensed inspector who knowing 1 ly inspects or grades improperly grain shipped in interstate or foreign com merce, or knowingly gives any false certificate of grade, or accepts bribe for neglect or improper performance of duty, may also be punished by fine or imprisonment or both.
 Similar punishment may be imposed upon other persons who violate cer- tain portions of the act, particularly those with reference to the inspection by licensed inspectors of grain shipped in interstate or foreign commerce. An appropriation of $250,O00 is made for the enforcement of the act.