The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-15
Governor Allen Charges Dis
elimination Against State.
Owing to Grading of Grain
Farmers Are Losers.
ASKS A REVISION OF RATES
Higher Price for Export Wheat
Would Be an Aid.
Plea to Grain Commission To
Send Inspectors Here.

Governor Allen protested the federal
wheat grading regulations and assert
ed that the government is making an
unreasonable profit on the mil, ,ons OF
bushels of wheat produced in Kansas.
He charged that the government
schedule of discounts Disseminated
against farmers Of this state. More
than one-haIf of the 1919 crop VIII
Grade below No. 3, he said. and re-
move the grain from competitive mar
kets. Unless restrictions and grade
regulations are removed, it is charged
that the government viii monopoll1e
the grain for export.
kilograms were sent today by the
Kansas governor asking that special
investigators be sent TO this state at
once to revise the schedule OF dis
limits for lower grades of grain.
Governor Allen stated that present
grading svstems compelled farmers 10
soil al 70 to 90 cents a bushel below
prices allowed for No. l wheat. Inc
governor also challenged the declaIa-
tions Of the Grain Corporation 10 the
effect that these prices are mini
mum. He said the federal govern
ment was the only purchaser OF low
frade wheat.
only Europe Uses 1t.
American markets consume only
,-o. 1 and No. . grade wheat. the gov
crnor said, and Europe Is the only
purchaser Of low grade grain mus mus
t4e government is the only agency
thru which the wheat may be sold ana
the minimum Drice also becomes the
maximum price This gives to the
government, under its ruling. an op-
nortunitv to make an unfair profit on
lower grades Of wheat
The opportunity in this range OF
regulation for error and injustice,
co,tn1ed with the fact that a new sys-
tom OF grading is being used for the
first time this year makes the situa-
ton full OF possibility of grave injus-
tice to the wheat producer ana OF
costly error to the buyer. said the
Governor. Many cases have already
been reported in which the country
buyer has been over-estimating the
grades with a loss OF from 10 to 70
cents a bushel The immediate need
Is first reconsideration on the part OF
the government of discounts from NO
l wheat and a substantial increase In
the price to be paid for lower grades.
Tests at X. S. a. c.
Governor Allen today conferred with
Senator Hart. state grain inspector,
and President Jardine Of the State Ag-
ricuItural college. Plans were consid-
cred for the immediate milling at the
state agricultural college of Kansas
low grade wheat. Tests will be made
Ms to gluten value Of low grade grain.
These tests will provide a basis for re-
adjustment Of low grade grain prices.
Senator Hart will Immediately send
n corps of inspectors into all sections
of the state to gather grain samples.
At least ten men will be used to secure
samples for laboratory tests. These
tests will be made that the farmer and
Kansas buyer may be protected and
prcncr classification made of grain.
Thoro Investigations will also be
made by state inspectors as to the
Nhea. situation. Especial attention
Ill be given to percentages OF low
-ade wheat to he milled. percentages
grades and methods inspecting and
'ndling grain.
Grade Due to Weather.
Secretary Houston of the federal
apartment OF agriculture was today
asked by Governor Allen to detail ten
or dozen competent travelling in
spectors to Kansas These men will
aid in readjusting present grading
methods and to relieve the discrimi-
nation which the governor believes
exists against wheat growers of this
state. The large percentage of low
era de wheat is said to be due to sud
den changes in wheather conditions
Recent hot weather caused grain to
gave Kansas wheat growers low
grade tests for grain. Readjustment
OF discounts Is asked. Present dis
counts are cents a bushel. Before
war discounts were cents
Jouett Shouse. assistant secretary OF
me treasury. and Henry J. Waters
former president Of the state agricul.
tural college. have Joined Governor
Allen in his demand for relief for
wheat growers
In addition to telegrams to Secre.
tary Houston and Julius Barnes. presi.
dent OF the federal grain buying cor.
poration. Governor Allen today com.
munlcated with many Kansans ir
touch with conditions. The margin o.
cents bushel allowed local buyer,
is declared by the governor as unius
in the handling OF low grade wheat
State Inspector Hart expects to issu,
statement concerning grain gradinI
and price fixing regulations as AZ
fecting Kansas growers