Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1916-10-20
FEDERAL OFFICIAL
GRAIN STANDARDS
Synopsis Of Measure Passed
by Congress as Prepared
by Department of
Agriculture.
-

AACuiluIe AuluOIlly u tSlhDllSut Us hOOu
as may be, official grain standards ap-
plicable to grain shipped In Interstate
OF foreign commerce, became a law on
August II, 1916.
The act authorizes the secretary of
agriculture to investigate the handling
and grading of grain and to establish,
rs DOH as may be, standards for corn,
wheat rye, oats, barley, flaxseed and
other grains. Not less than 30 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 Orlgi-
mating in the United States, of any
such grain which is sold, offered for
sale, or consigned for sale by grade, I'M
less 1t is inspected and graded by a
licensed inspector, either at the place
OF shipment, at a 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 destlna-
ton, the grain may be shipped without
inspection, in which event either party
I 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 ON
merce Is required to be inspected and
graded by a licensed inspector, it is
made unlawful for any person to repre-
sent thai it is Of a grade other than
that stated In a 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 hat has
been certified to conform to any grade
of the official grain standards, or that
has been shipped in interstate or for
eign mmerc 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 prlma
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 &c
cording to the official grain standards
unless he holds an unsuspended anc
unrevOked license issued by the secre
tary of agriculture.
Licensing Inspectors.
ANY person who presents satisfac
tory evidence of competency may -
licensed as an inspector under the act
In states which have or may hereaftel
have state grain inspection depart
ments, the secretary of agriculture II
required to issue licenses to person!
authorized and employed to inspec
and grade grain under the laws of sucl
states. Licensed inspectors and per
sons employed by the secretary of ag
riculture for carrying out he prOvi
siOns Of the act are prohibited from
having any interest in any grain ele
vatOr or warehouse, or in the mer
chandislng of grain, or from being EN-
ployed by any person owning or oper
aiiIg any grain elevator or warehouse
Licensed inspectors are required t
keep records of all grain inspected b,
them and to make detailed reports t
the secretary Of agriculture. The Il
cense of any inspector found to be In
competent, or to have issued any falls
certificate Of grade, OIL otherwise t
have violated any provision of the &C
may be suspended or revoked by tn
secretary of agriculture.
Penalties.
ANY licensed inspector who knowing
ly inspects or grades improperly graf
shipped in interstate or foreign con
merce, or knowingly gives any falls
certificate of grade, or accepts a brib
for neglect or improper performing
of. duty, may also be punished by fin
or Imprisonment or both.
Similar punishment may be impose
upon other persons who violate eel
tain portions of the act, particular
those with reference to the inspectio
by licensed inspectors of grain shippe
in interstate or foreign commerce.
Ap appropriation Of $25O,OOO is mad