New Britain herald., 1930-12-16
Start Grain Inquiry

Washington, Dec. 16 LP) An enlarged flying squadron of conf- dential inqurers to track down and prepare to prosecute those respon- sible for irregular transactions on ! the country's grain markets. is de- sired by the department of agricul- | ture.
 This was revealed today when the 1 agriculture departments supply bill was reported to the house, accom- panied by the transcript of hitherto secret hearings of the house appro- 1 priation committee.
 It was one of the myriad activi- | ties of the departments branches | upon which experts testified. Dr. | w. T. Duvel, chief of the grain fu- lures administration, advocated au- thority for the secretary of agricul- ture to control short selling of grain by foreign governments - | consequence of the recently dis closed Russian transactions in the Chicago pit. He said it was essential lO h'tp ldb illOi tlOStiy oll SA- change brokers and commission merchants activities, to prevent ir- reguIarities in handling customers accounts.
 Work "Most Important The departments program de- clared it most important" that studies of grain prices, including stock market influences. other com modty markets, visible supply, grain movements and other factors, 1 both domestic and foreign, be ex- tended far beyond the capacity of present organization.
 Numerous cases of Irregularities have already been uncovcred,' said Duvel. which require further action by the department. The very nature of this work makes it essential that the department continue to take immediate action on all complaints that appear justified, and to fol- low through with the most impor- tant cases"
 The official specifically asked funds for special Investigations, mainly in Chicago, and the prosecu- tions which will result
 Other activities reported by the departments workers ranged from studies on the use Of turpentinc in making shatter-proof glass 10 road building.
 Dr. w. W. Skinner, chemical tech nologist, said the right type Of tur- pcntine is sought. to be turned into synthetic camphor, which in turn becomes celluloid placed between two pancs gives the shatter-proof glass for automobiles.
 Sees Good Future
 'If the turpentine research sue Ceeds," he added, T see no reason why q synthetic camphor industry should not develop in the south"
 The stretching net work of air ways on the continent and in the 1 territories has put the burden of furnishing round the clock informa- ton on flying conditions up to the i weather bureau.
 So that speeding pilots may take i their cargoes Of humans and mail | safely through stormy nights and i befogged days, the bureau, it's off, i cial told congress, is planning hourly i information service over airwavs aggregating 25.000 miles. The work 1 will cost a maximum of sS0 a mile. l
 Investigations designed to cut the | farmer annual fertilizer bill by | s60. 100000 were outlined by Dr. i Henry G. Knight. chief of the chem istry and soils bureau. Raw fertilizer . materials cost s116. 6.O00,O00 ( year, | he said. adding that by new blast furnace smelling process, the 1 department forecasts a saving of | s17,000,000 on potash plus s43,000,- | 900 on phosphoric acid.
 Tuberculosis Work
 Substantial progress was reported | in Curbing tuberculosis among cat | tie, swine and poultry.
 pr, John R. Mohler, chief Of the l animal industry bureau, said the i disease had been eradicated 10 the | point of less than one-half of one | per cent in many parts of the United . States. However. he added, it exists to some extent among poultry in the middle western and north central states.
 The departments bureau of dairy industry has found a new sweet | sugar can be produced from cows milk.
 Millions of pounds of skinned l milk, going to waste, contain sugar that can be extracted, said o. F. Reed, chief of the dairy industry bureau. Experiments are being car ried on 10 learn what effect the milk sugar will have on diet of humans.
 visitor from the Argentine which has struck up a friendship with a long time resident Of the United States will cost the federal government plenty next year.
 Blame Mealy Bug
 The mealy bug is the resident and it has been playing milk cow' for the Argentine ant, which Dr. c. i l.. Marlatt, chief of the bureau of i entomology, said has "become such | an increasingly serious menace in