The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-10-27
FEDERAL OFFICIAL
GRAIN STANDARDS
Synopsis of Measure Passed
by Congress as Prepared
by Department of
Agriculture.


riculture authority to establish, as soon
as may be, official grain standards APP
plicable to grain shipped in interstate
or foreign commerce, became d law on
August il, 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, f1axseed 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-
hshed for any grain, the act forbids
the shipment or delivery for shipment,
in interstate or foreign commerce origi-
mating in the United States, of any
such grain which is sold, offered for
sale, or consigned for sale by grade, I'M
less it is inspected and graded by a
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-
ton, 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 COM
merce is required to be inspected and
graded by a licensed inspector, it is
made unlawful for any person to repre-
sent that it IS of 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 CT tire official grain stand
ards.
The secretary of agriculture is au-
thorized to examine grain that has
been certified u 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 a
name, description or designation which
is false or misleading, he may publish
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
lied 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 in 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 unsupported and
unrevoked license issued by the secre-
tary of agriculture.
Licensing inspectors.
Any person who presents satisfac-
tory evidence of competency may be
licensed as an inspector under the act.
m 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 ag-
riculture for carrying out the provi-
sions of the act are prohibited from
having any interest in any grain ele-
vator or warehouse, or in the mer-
chandising of grain. or from being EN-
ployed by any person owning or oper-
ating 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 IL
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
ly inspects or grades improperly grain
shipped in interstate or foreign COM
merce, or knowingly gives any false
certificate of grade, or accepts bride
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 GER
tain portions of the act, particularly
those with reference to the inspection
by licensed inspectors of grain shipped