308 CORN 



public scales in Chicago are tested at least twice a year, and oftener 

 if conditions require. 



Besides serving as a disinterested party in settling disputes in 

 weighing and in testing scales, this department employs a force of 

 deputy weighmen, deputy trackmen, supervisors, a policing or de- 

 tective' force and car tracers and office clerks, whose services are con- 

 tributed to the grain trade. 



The deputy weighmen conduct the weighing at the various ele- 

 vators, industries and transfer points. 



The deputy trackmen are stationed on the track floors of the large 

 grain elevators to record the seals and condition of cars, and to super- 

 vise the unloading and loading of grain. 



These weighmen and trackmen are under the direction of the super- 

 visors, who are constantly visiting the elevators, and other points 

 where weighing is done with a view t(.> maintaining the best of con- 

 ditions and service at all times. 



The policing and detective force looks after conditions existing in 

 the various railroad and storage yards. This branch of the service 

 also attends to the prosecution of those caught stealing grain from 

 cars, or buying the stolen grain. The protection of this department is 

 of immense value to the shippers for the railroad yards are situated in 

 remote parts of the city where pilferers are naturally attracted. 



The car tracers follow the movements of cars when shortages trans- 

 pire. This department is of invaluable service in securing evidence 

 for the collection of claifns, etc. 



The office clerks issue the certificates of weight, attend to the in- 

 dexing of each car in the ledgers, and perform the general office work. 

 A complete history of the treatment accorded each car of grain is 

 kept in systematic files in the main office. This office is opened at 6:30 

 each morning in order that the consignees may secure the certificates 

 of weight for their cars promptly. 



The weighing department is constantly sending out material to aid 

 the producers and shippers in eliminating all conditions conducive to 

 carelessness, waste and error. 



During the past year (1914) this department has supervised the 

 weighing of 361,735 cars of produce, 108,623,667 bushels of grain to 

 and from boats, 602,771,764 bushels of seed at freight and warehouses, 

 and has attended to the investigation of weights, especially requested, 

 for 1,289 cars. 



