Show CURBING THE GRAFTERS president hoover has signed the bill which provides for a federal system of licensing licen sinz dealers in perishable products the effect of this law will be to give eive the government the power to regulate reg the business practices of commission houses and others doing an interstate business this may prove to be of as great benefit to the farmers of the united states as any other measure in intended for farm relief every gi ower of commodities shipped to distant markets ha has s had at one time or another experience with dishonest commission houses at the terminal markets practices which are notoriously corrupt have been common the individual shipper is at a great disadvantage when instead of setting a check for his produce he sets ets a bill for freight and expenses anses with the calm explanation that the produce has been een spoiled in transit or sold on a glutted market or that some other cause had prevented its sale at a price sufficient to cover the costs there are honest commission houses of course pr probably bable the beat majority of dealers in produce live stock poultry and dairy products do business as honorably as business is done anywhere their risks are large lare and they are entitled to profits proportioned to the risk but there have been enough instances uncovered of deception and fraud on the part of commission houses to make such legislation as this necessary for the protection not only of shippers but of the honest amen men ini the produce business the federal government seems to be the only authority which has a chance of cle cleaning anili v up ud this situation state and local authorities are not inclined to press the claims claim of farmers mid and shippers who pay taxes several hundred or thousands of miles away against their own citizens and taxpayers the federal government alone can exercise authority over interstate commerce it is to be hoped that the machinery for the enforcement of this new law will be set up speedily and that it will operate efficiently efficient lV to give eive the grower and shipper the assurance that whatever other causes may operate to keep him from setting the very best price for his products lie he will at least not be cheated by the agent whom lie he has consigned consia d them to |