Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-01-05


per maturity period of six months.
The federal-aid road act, approved
July IL. 1915. provides for cooper
alton between the federal govern
ment and the states in the construc-
ton of rural post roads and of roads
and trails within or partly within the
national forests. This measure will
conduce to the establishment of a
more effective highway machinery in
each state, strongly influence the de-
velopment of good road building
along right lines. stimulate larger
production and better marketing,
promote fuller and more attractive
rural life, add greatly to the con-
venience and economic welfare of all
the people, and strengthen the ma
tional foundations.
Immediately after the approval of
the act, plans were formulated for
its administration. Thirty-two
states have indicated their intention
to assent to the provisions of the act
one through its legislature and the
others through their governors.
Aids Northwest States.
The work of the Office of markets
and rural organization has developed
very rapidly. and some notable re-
suits have been secured. Definite
assistance has been rendered to the
fruit interests of the states of Ore
gon, Washington, Idaho and Mon
tana. An organization composed of
cooperative associations, corpora
tions operating for the producers,
and individual growers was formed
during the past year. The purpose
of the organization is to secure
broader distribution through the es-
Enlistment of uniform grades and
marketing methods.
Through it the fruit industry of
the Northwestern states should be
placed upon a more efficient bust
ness basis. It comprises IS per cent
of the Northwestern fruit industry.
an investment of $780,
100000 and supporting approximate
ly 10000 growers. This is probably
the most important single activity in
forming cooperative organizations
that has yet beeen undertaken by the
Preliminary plans have been form.
ulated for the investigation Of for
eign markets for American farm
products and for assistance in the
of the export trade un-
der normal conditions. A represen-
tative Of the department recently
Investigations in Europe
along this line. The work, in so far
as possible, will be done in close CO.
operation with the departments OF
state and commerce.
A survey of state marketing activi-
ties has been made and the results
published. Provision was made in
the appropriation act for the fiscal
year 1917 for cooperation with the
several states in the employment Of
agents. This provision
should enable the department to
bring about a close coordination of
the marketing activities and policies
Of the. various states with those of
The department.
The issuance of monthly cold-stor-
age reports on apples has been con-
.inued, and the work has been ex-
Tended to include butter, eggs and
cheese. These reports show the cold
storage holdings throughout the
country and include comparison OF
he holdings of the current year with
hose of the previous year.
In cooperation with carriers. ex-
.ensive Investigations Of the eco
ionic waste of foodstuffs in transit
rave been conducted. The object Of
.hese Investigations Is to secure bet
er cooperation between shippers
md carriers and greater efficiency in
methods of handling, with a view to
or at least greatly to re-
luce, the present waste.
Well-tested systems of accounts
md records for primary grain ele-
vators, fer livestock shipping asso-
cations. and for cooperative stores
nave been issued. Systems for coun-
try creameries and cotton ware
houses have been devised and
IRE being tested under commercial
conditions. Systems perfected by
the department for farmers cooper
alive elevators and for fruit and pro-
duce associations already are in ex-
tensive use. A plan for adapting
farmers grain-elevator companies to
The patronage-dividend basis has
been worked out and published.