For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 30 cents CONTENTS H.R. 2121, a bill to amend the U.S. Grain Standards Act, as amended, to permit the inspection of certain grain thereunder upon the basis of sub- H.R. 11162, a bill to provide for U.S. standards and a national inspection system for grain, and for other purposes__ . Gordon, Sidney, technical adviser, Illinois Department of Agricul- Grange, George R., Deputy Administrator for Marketing Services, Hoelck, Ted P., president, National Association of Chief Grain In- Metcalf, Hon. Lee, a U.S. Senator from the State of Montana.. Moos, Donald W., director, Washington State Department of Agri- Page 69 Additional information submitted to the subcommittee: Automation Looms for Ancient Task of Grain Sampling--Article from III AMEND THE GRAIN STANDARDS ACT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1967 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIVESTOCK AND GRAINS OF THE The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., in room 1301, Longworth House Office Building, the Honorable Graham Purcell (chairman) presiding. Present: Representatives Purcell, Gathings, Jones of Missouri, Montgomery, Dole, Wampler, Mayne, Zwach, Kleppe, and Price. Also present: Mrs. Christine S. Gallagher, clerk. Mr. PURCELL. The subcommittee will please come to order. Today we are going to begin hearings on H.R. 11162, and another bill covering the same subject. These are bills to provide for a U.S. standard inspection system for grain and for other purposes. There has been a great deal of effort put forth to postpone these hearings again. They were postponed earlier until today. I am firmly convinced this is a problem which needs our attention and further delays in getting our consideration of this legislation would provide no immediate benefits. I believe our examination of this legislation in the subcommittee should be thorough and thoughtful. This is not the kind of a thing which should be rushed through the legislative process, in my judgment. It is complex legislation and I think it is needed legislation. The purpose of the bill is to modernize the U.S. Grain Standards Act adopted in 1960. During the ensuing half century, practices in grain merchandising have changed very significantly. The act meanwhile has been amended only once. That was in 1956 to provide criminal penalties for certain violations. The situation which now exists is, in my opinion, almost intolerable. I am a believer in firm and strict enforcement of any law which is on the statute books. If it is not a good law it should be changed or repealed. All our laws should be strictly enforced. This is the very basis of our system of government. Today, by the admission of all concerned, I believe that the present law is regularly and systematically violated. This is not because those involved have no respect for the law but the law is outdated and is unenforceable. A rather lengthy list of witnesses have asked to testify on this legislation. Today we will begin with the Department of Agriculture. It will probably take some time to conclude the Department's testimony because there are many questions which have already been raised with respect to the proposed legislation. 1 |