The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-07-24
Federal Agents Probe.

Investigation by federal agents in
cooperation with representatives ot
y the state department OF agriculture
discloscs that in many instances the
profit tina, should accrue to the farm
er i, being sacrificed TO the proiiteer-
er. The extent to which the proii,ecr-
ing is being INDUCED in is indicated by
the fact, according to Whi,ehurst
that il has been found in some cases
where the buyers arc paying less than
the government guarantee. thus de-
priving the farmer of the profit that
he expected in view of government
control OF wheat prices
Uniairness in the federal grading
sys,eni, which was inaugurated and IS
being carried out by the United States
grain corporation. IS another thing
contributing in no small way 10 the
unsatisfactory marke, conditions, ae-
cording to Whitehurst
Appeal to Gronna.
In a telegram this morning 10 Sen
a,or Gronna, head OF the senate com
mittee on agriculture, Presiden,
Nihitehurt asks for cancellation OF
the federal grade system and immedi-
ate return 10 the old basis.
Farmers are protesting that gov
ernmen, grades and regulations are
unfair and ask that old grades be re-
ins,ated to relieve the situation. Only
one government grader in the state
TO function the entire complex gram
system. Dealers paying below the gov
ernmen, guarantee" says Whi,ehursts
telegram,
Kansas and Texas Favored.
p In Kansas and Texas, farmers are
getting three and four cents bushe
more Tor their wheat than the farmer.
Of Oklahoma, Whi,ehurst said. Fred
.,ick which heads the list, Al,us and
Iawton are among the places where
the most flagrant cases OF profiteerlnl
have been unearthed, Il was said J
M Humphrey OF the Humphrey Mil
and Elevator company, OF Lawton, ha.
been summoned to Kansas City to ap
near before the Kansas City branch o
The federal grain corporation relative
10 the alleged paying Of unfair prices
Whtehurst said.
The board OF agriculture has PLACED
fen inspectors in the field in the las
few days. who are closely watchinl
price. and grading. and they invit
information from any source wher
the prices are not in harmony WIT
government prices.
Premiums Paid.
AZ Kingiisher, Enid. Pond Cree
and several points in that section deal
ers are paying = premium OF from fiv
10 twenty cents over government pric
4 and never has been a time but wha
I they have paid premium on 'hi
L wheat crop. The elevators who hid
1 behind the government prices as TAI
A price are not giving the farmer
a SQUARE deal, as long as the kansa
CITY markets close at from ) to 4
cents per bushel above the governmer
price" said Whitehurst
= "The grain dealers are insistentl
arguing tina, Oklahoma has very III
lie No. / and No. 2 wheat The sam
condition prevailed in Kansas la
week, that only q percent OF n
wheat graded Nos, and 2; but az
cording to the report OF the stat
grain Inspector Of Kansas, more tha
g percent graded No. ! and No
reaching the market, receiving a. pr'
MUM OF from 10 cents TO Is cenfs p'
/ busheI over the prices, after ia
4 margin for handling had been paid
the farmers.
J Inspection Law Needed.
j @Oklahoma IL unfortunate in NJ
having an active grain inspection La
which could save the farmers fro
100000 10 &,000.0O0 this yeas !
seeing that proper grades eompli'
with the government grades. In ka
sas the dealers are only grading
percent Of wheat No. ], but on feder
Inspection st Kansas City, II turns o
more than % percent 10 No.
There 10 no doubt thst the compl,
system Of grading established by 7
government has In 4 way befuddl
Inc mind OF the ordinary grain deal'
until he has taken advantage Of !
lack of information on grain sradiI
70 play safe 70 the tsas d J cents
y eeuo = bmhel"