The state herald., 1919-08-01

prepared by tho United States Depart
ment OF Agricuiture,)
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 ramificntions and their d.
rect influence upon the affairs Of ev-
cry producer and user of meats and
the long list Of animal by.products.
As consequence Of these c0ndi-
tions and In view of the war needs
for meat and other animal products,
the government found 1t necessary.
about a year ago, to conserve the meat
supply for the war period by exercls
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, 1913, 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 %.
1913. 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 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
ind useful suggestions were received
md Incorporated In the final draft Of
the regulations.
At thnt time the bureau OF markets
wns represented In most OF the large
livestock markets by Its market re-
porting organizations, and these rep
resentatlves were at once instructed
to perform additional duties ns netting
market supervisors. As rapidly ns
competent candidates could be found
they were appointed and nssigIed to
duty In the various livestock mar
kets, extending from Boston 10 Port
land. Ore. and from Jacksonville 10
Los Angeles. Including up TO the pres
ent time some thirty Offices. One hun
dred and tweniy-one stock yards, Di
exclusive commission firms. 1856 trad
ers, 107 order buyers. 23i packer buy
crs and 1851 concerns doIng two or
more classes OF business have been
licensed.
Many improvements Made.
At number OF stock yards nddi-
flonal facilities nnd Improved service
have been Installed through the nctIyI.
ties OF the market supervisors. accord
Ing 10 government officials. New
scales. pens and sorting alleys have
been built. better feed has been fur
nished. dirty pens have been cleaned.
additional yard men hnye been EN-
4 ploycd. arrangements for loading. un-
loading and moving stock through the
yards have been impiifed. n closer
check on weights Of feed has been
made. more promps service On iermi'
nni railroads hns been furnished. md
numerous other features OF stock.ynrd
service have been improved.
Al one important market the time
required to move stock trains from
the end Of the terminal to the unlond.
ing chutcs. which formerly was from
four to twenty.four hours. has been
reduced 10 n period of from forty.Hyc
minutes to two hours. The officials Of
the live stock exchange ut that mar
ket say they had tried for % years
but without result. A. another mnr-
ket the baskets formerly used for
mensurin. corn were discarded md
new set of standard bushei baskets
put In their place. Feed charges hny.
been reduced In some eases on sugges.
tion Of the local market supervisors.
Supervisors ss umpIrex.
Besides the direct purpose for which
the supervision service wns es,nb.
llshcd II hns been utilized In other I'm.
porinni mnttcrs. The department rep
ieaen'n,lvcs were In position 10 be
OF assistance io the Representatives
NJ the food nnd rnllrond ndmlnlstrn.
lions, exchanges, packers nnd stock
rurds during the criiicnl days of the
period of rinhlllsod hog prices which
this country hns recently passed
through. In this situation, M In mnny
other matters. I, wns found TINT
ncutrnl oillcini representing no private
or class Interest could mid with n de.
ucV ~ satisfaction to Nil concerned