The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-22
2s..I5S] AGE-HERALD'S FARM PAGES ::E:E25S5: :sssz
Grain Standards Act

Although the United States grain stan- dards act has been in force over thres years. many people are still uninformed ,and continue to plead ignorance of this law The bureau of markets of ths United States Department of Agriculf ture, which is charged with the enforce ment of the act, in recent announos- ment has again called attention to the provisions of the law and the penalties that may incur on account of violations.
 For the benefit of all persons inter- ested in the shipment of grain, thd bureau of markets calls attention, amona other things, to the following important requirements in the grain standards actt violation of any of which subjects tha offender, upon conviction, to fine of not more than S1.o00, or Imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
 Don't fail to have grain inspected at point of shipment This applies to- all grain for which standards have been fixed, and which is sold, offered for sale or consigned for sale by grade and shipped or offered for shipment across a state line or to foreign country. How ever, this does not apply to grain which is sold subject to inspection at some point en route, or at destination, or grain which is shipped from a point whert there Is no inspector. The shipper. acs cord1ng to law. IS required 10 secure proper inspection.
 Don't sell any grain by grade other than one of the official standard grades This applies to any grain for which standards have been fixed that is shipped or delivered for shipment across a state line or to a foreign country.
 Don't describe any grain for which standards have been fixed under the act as being of a grade other than one fixed officially. This applies not only to nsalS4 ing out certificates but also 70 oral of written agreements of sale or agreeS ments te>sell. It also includes any in4 voice or bill of lading or other shippins document. As
 Don't certify that any grain for shiE nent or delivery for shipment is of an official grade unless you are 8 licensed ] inspector. This applies among others. to any one authorized or employed by a state board of trade, chamber of commerce, or other association, to inf spect or grade grain and also to persons whose licenses have been suspended or revoked
 Don't improperly influence any licensed inspector in the performance of his duty. This also includes any attempt td use improper influence.
 Don't interfere with an officer or em1 ploye of the United States Department of Agriculture in the performance of
 
 department of agriculture also calls at- tention to the fact that no person, exf cept as permitted in Section of the acts | is. allowed to represent that any grain | shipped or delivered for shipment in inf | terstate or foreign commerce IS of grade fixed in the official grain stan4 dards other than as shown by a certifit | cate therefor, issued in compliance with the act. This prohibits overinvoicing; Failure to observe this requirement. sub4 1 jects the shipper to the penalty of hav4 I ing the facts made public in the form of findings by the Secretary or AgriccE l ture.
 At the present time there are no of ] ficia1 grades for mixed grain If he sd desires, person offering a lot of mixed | grain for inspection may have it ind spected and graded according te the Iot l cal standards for mixed grain whicH may be in effect in any particular mar! ket. Such inspection, however, would not be made under the United States grain standards act, and the inspect9i would not be acting in the capacity oi a licensed inspector, However, it is tht 1 view of the department that any intert I ested party may offer for inspection under the grain standards act any iot J of grain which contains or is believed :, to contain grain of kind for which , federal standards have been fixed. 1 Frequently it is difficult to state whether particular lot of grain should 1 be classed as one of the grains fof ! which standards have been fixed before l the same has been inspected. If, fos example, a carload is composed largely 1 of wheat, but contains an appreciabl4 1 quantity of rye an interested party may have this car inspected by fed1 erally licensed inspector. If the insp2a tor finds, for instance, that 12 per cent l of the grain is rye he can issue a cerl i tificate showing the result of his de. termination. The certificate should I show that the grain is mot wheat within the meaning of the grain stan' I dards,' because of the 12 per cent rye lThe certificate may also state the per- ] centages of other factors. if tt.s infor! nation is desired
 ] If the party interested is not satisfied with this determination the department holds that he has the right to appeal to the federal supervisor. His decision will be set forth in a federal appeal grade certificate showing in this casa whether the lot is wheat or not wheat according to the standards.
 Service and regulatory announcements No, 58 which contains more detailed int formation regarding the subjects touched i above, together with other informaton Of interest to grain growers and ship. pers, can be had by addressing the p,,. lreau of markets. United States Denartl ment of Agriculture. Washington, D. G