The patriot., 1919-08-01

prepared by the United States Depart |
ment of Agriculture.)
Livestock markets Of the United
States are more completely organized,
more efficiently conducted and better |
protected against loss to the producer
than almost any other class OF mar
kets for farm products. However, like |
all other large enterprises, the live
stock markets and meat-packing cen
ters have created problems of super
vision or regulation because of their
extensive ramiticatiOns and their di-
rect influence upon the affairs OF eV-
cry producer and user Of meats ana
the long list IF animal by-products.
AS a consequence of these condi-
tions and in view of the war needs
| for meat and other animal products,
| the government found it necessary,
about a year ago, to conserve the meat
supply for the war period by exercis-
ing the war power conferred upon the
president by the food control act, and
to place the livestock markets under
supervision. A proclamation to that
effect was issued by the president
June 1S 1918, which provided that
public stock yards and those handling
or dealing in live stock in such yards
should be required to operate under
federal license on and after July 20.
1918. The administration Of this serv'
Ice was placed under the secretary OF
agriculture, who designated the bu-
reau of markets to enforce the regu-
lations governing licenses.
Suggestions From Industry Used.
Before the formal ISSUANCE of the
regulations a tentative draft was sent
to all interested parties with request
for suggestions. Numerous confer
ences were held with each branch OF
the industry, including representatives
of the national and local live stock ex-
changes. As result many practical
and useful suggestions were received
and Incorporated In the final draft OF
the regulations.
At that time the bureau of markets
was represented in most OF the large
livestock markets by its market re-
porting organizations, and these rep
resentatiyes were at once instructed
to perform additional duties as acting
market supervisors. AS rapidly as
competent candidates could be found
they were appointed and assigned to
duty in the various livestock mar
kets, extending from Boston to Port
land. Ore, and from Jacksonville to
Los Angeles. including up to the pres
ent time some thirty offices. One hun
dred and twenty-one stock yards. SS4
exclusive commission firms, 7S5 trad
ers, 1O7 order buyers, 231 packer buy
ers and 1851 concerns doing two OF
more classes Of business have beer
licensed.
Many improvements Made.
At a number Of stock yards add
. . tional facilities and improved service
have been installed through the actiyi
ties of the market supervisors accord
ing to government officials. New
scales, pens and sorting alleys hav'
been built, better feed has been fur
nished, dirty pens have been cleaned
additional yard men have been EN-
ployed, arrangements for loading, I'm
loading and moving stock through tn
yards have been amplifed, close
check on weights of feed has beel
made, more prompt service on terml
nal railroads has been furnished, AM
= numerous other features Of stock-yar
service have been improved.
At one important market the tim
required to move stock trains fror
the end of the terminal to the unload
ing chutes, which formerly was fror
four to twenty-four hours, has bee
reduced to a period Of from fortysfiy
Y minutes to two hours. The officials
the live stock exchange at that mai
ket say they had tried for % year
to secure relief from terminal delay
but without result. At another ma
ket the baskets formerly used fc
measuring corn were discarded and
/ new set of standard bushel basket
nut in their place. Feed charges ha,
= been reduced In some cases on sugge
: tion Of the local market supervisor
:. Supervisors as Umpires.
Besides the direct purpose for Whit
: the supervision service was esta
I, !. lished Ii has been utilized In other II
!. portant matters. The department re
: resentatives were In a position 10
: of assistance to the Representative
!, Of the food and railroad administr
; tions, exchanges. packers and sto
!. yards during the critical days Of d
= period of stabilized hog prices Will
this country has recently pass
. through. In this situation. as In ma
4 other matters, 1t was found that
4 neutral official representing no prlva
or class interest could aid with q /