The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-04-13
INSPECTION OF
GRAIN WIkL BE
STARTED SOON
Railroad Body Discusses Plans
For Work With Grain Men
In Meeting Here
LEAVE OUT POLITICS
Railroad Body Says 1t Will Do
This-Farmers Committee
Is Present

AoAAo AOl IcSuuLpIlOu OK uuLleS IOr.
merly part of the business of the
state railroad and warehouse com.
mission, in supervising the handling
storing and inspection of grain, are
udner way today, following confer.
ence by the commission with grain
dealers, representatives of farmers
organizations and former officials OF
the grain grading department.
1t is the plan of the railroad com
mission, according to Chairman Mil
hollan, to proceed as rapidly as fea-
sible to carry out the provisions OF
the law of 1918, reinstated by the
supreme court decision holding the
grain grading act invalid. One of the
first problems Of the board is to get
funds with which to conduct the in
spection of grain, Mr.. Mulhollan said,
and in this connection he read to the
conference an opinion from the Of
flee of Attorney Johnson sug-
gesting that the emergency commits
sion could order the transfer of funds
which were appropriated for the use
of the grain grading department and
which revert to the general fund as
a result of the supreme court deci-
sion.
Politics to Be Kept Out.
1t was announced on behalf of the
commission by Chairman Milhollan
that it is proposed to conduct the
work without regard to politics, with
an effort to gain, cooperation in the
conduct OF the work. A letter from
o. P. B. Jacobson, chairman of the
Minnesota railroad and warehouse
commission, offering to lend part of
that commissions force in aiding the
North Dakota commission to get it's
( work started, was read.
Mr.. Jacobson, in his letter, declared
that inspection of grain should pro-
perly be with the railroad and ware
house commission, and said that when
these duties were performed in North
Dakota by the railroad commission
there was cooperation between Min
nesota, South Dakota, Montana and
North Dakota in the work, and espe-
clally in presenting jointly matters
to the federal authorities at Wash
ington.
A new angle as to the effect of the
decision in the grain grading case was
brought out by w. G. Palmer, who
was inspector. Mr.. Palmer said that
as grain inspector he was ex-officio
inspector and sealer of weights and
measures. Since the position of grain
inspector was abolished he was de-
prlved OF his other office and the
department of weights and measures
is left without head and cannot
function. ...
Scale Inspection Wanted. r.
Grain men present had raised the
matter of inspection of scales, stat
ing that they desired state supervi-
sion. 1t was stated that some scales
had not been inspected for three
years. Mr.. Palmer said that because
of shortage of funds the inspectors
were just completing their rounds.
One question raised by grainmen
was the allowance for storage charg-
es of 2 cents. This, it was said, Is the
statutory limit on large part Of the
grain stored, and it was maintained
.;that 6 cents is fair charge under
present conditions. The railroad COM
mission was asked to recommend to
the next legislature, after study,
revision }of this statute.
There was considerable discussion
as to the reports which are required
by the accounting division, which
already is in operation. There was
difference OF opinion as to whether
elevator men should be required 10
make monthly, quarterly or annual
i repports, or upon callpas. bank state
ments!! No definite decision was reach
ed. The system which had been FOL
lowed under the grain grading de-
~partment will be continued until FUR
ther change, it was stated:
Farm Bodies Present Request.
The committee named by farmers
organizations in Fargo on TUESDAY,
composed of Clarence Peterson, Wal
ter Reed and w. J. Church presented
the request of those bodies that the
commission continue. inspection OF
grain. DR.. Coulter was unable to be
present. They were told there mad
not been any intention of doing any
thing else, unless prevented from 40
ing so because of lack of funds.
p. A. Lee. of Grand Forks, secre.
tarv of the Farmers Grain Dealers
Association of the state, asked re-
garding the organizations attitude
toward inspection said: The Farm
ers' Grain Dealers Association is not
opposed in spirit to inspection put
rather favors it with the provision
however, that rules and regulations
for the conduct of such department
he in accordance with the federal
statute and in support of such posi-
tions we recommend further hearings
bv the railroad commission be helo
in different parts of the state IN or
der to afford an opportunity to farm
ers as we'll as dealers to make Known
their positions :,, -
The federal grain grades will II IN
all probability be adopted by the rall'
road and warehouse commission
They are said to be substantially tne
same as the state grains, whlcn were
knocked out in the court decision.
T COMMISSIONER APPOINTED.
Ft. Yates, N. D., April 13.-Alhste1
Colyille has been appointed count!
commissioner from the second dlstrlc