Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-23
ELEVATORS TO SEEK INCREASE
GRAIN HANDLING CHARGES.
Some Dealers Suggest in Convention Here Rails
ing Rates From q Cents to u Cents a Bushel;
Present Price Means Ruin, Claim.

Open assembly discussion reached
its peak of interest for the day late
in the afternoon session of the first
day of the eighth annual convention
of the Northwest Grain Dealers as
ISOLATION when a remark that seemed
alomst casual suggested an expression
of opinion regarding a possible change
in the rate of elevator storage and
handling of grain,
\ concensus Of the opinion express
ed favored a raise of 212 cents a bu-
shell for the Is day storage and handl-
ing of the wheat for the farmers is
inadequate to take care of the ex-
pense which the handling involves I'M
der the present service which their
present method of handling offers the
grain growers.
Protection During Storage
The present system of handling the
farmers grain affords the growers -
day storage in the elevators and fire
insurance protection. The farmer
hauls his grain to the elevator where
it is weighed and graded by the eleva-
tor man. The farmer is given a certi-
ficate showing the class in which his
grain is placed and a certificate of the
total weight. The grain is placed
and a certificate of the total weight.
The grain is unloaded by the elevator
automatic machinery and stored in the
elevator bins. If the farmer is mar
from the elevator in which he is stor-
ing his grain he pays 21a cents for a
period of u days. At any time dur
ing those 10 days that he decides to
remove his grain it is loaded on the
cars direct from the elevator without
additional labor on the part of the
grower.
The elevator company assumes the
responsibility of loading on the cars
the same grade of grain which is
shown on the growers certificate of
delivery for storage. Further protec-
ton is offered the grower in that the
state law provides that the elevator
put up a bond covering the market
value of the grain when it is stored in
the elevator.
Some Mention W. Cents
All of the grain dealers who express
ed any opinion in regard to storage
and handling rates voiced their appro-
val of asking the state grain commits
sioner for a substantial increase in the
rate on wheat. A few mentioned a
rate of ~ cents per bushel for wheat
but it was pretty generally conceded
by those who talked that they stood
little chance of obtaining a . cents
increase. Further expression of opin-
ion indicated that it will virtually mean
ruin to some elevators to have to con
tinue handling the grain at the pre-
sent standards.
Several speakers agreed that I'M
less they are allowed a wider mar
gin in handling the grain it will be
necessary for them to eliminate part
of the service which they are now
rendering to the farmers to cut down
overhead expense. 1t was suggested
that a standard rate be placed for the
weighing and loading of the grain for
the farmers from their wagons or
trucks to the railroad cars, in which
event the elevator companies assume
not responsibility r~etative to the grad
ing of the grain.
Committee to Confer With Davis
A committee of six men appointed
to discuss the matter of elevator