Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1922-09-14
particular and the nation in general

When Congress passed the Packers
and Stockyards Act it is doubtful if
the public in general and the live
stock producers in particular fully ap-
preciated the significance Of this legis-
lation. The recent decision of the
Supreme Court in holding that COM
mission merchants, traders and other
people who operate in the stock
yards come under the act, places the
act in crystallized form before pack
ers, market operators, producers and
others concerned alike, and seems to
clear away all obstacles to the full
and intelligent enforcement of the leg
islation. We have had satisfactory
cooperation from the packers and
owners of stockyards during the or
ganization Of the Packers and Stock
yards Administration, and I hope we
may have the same sort of co-opera-
ton from these marketing agencies in
the future.
The decision handed down by Chief
Justice Taft is gratifying, both in that
it affirms the constitutionality of the
act and in that it makes plain the
purpose of the act AS stated by the
Chief Justice, ''the object to be Sc
| cured by the act is the free and I'M
| burdened flow of live stock from the
ranges and farms-through the
great stockyards and Strengthening
| centers-and thence in the form Of
meat products in the consuming
cities" That was what Congress
| had in mind, as developed in hearings
| before the committee before the act
was passed. The purpose was not
alone to remove certain unfair prac
tees and fragrant abuses but to per-
NIT constructive study of the meat
industry from the ranges and farms
to the table of the consumer.
To Control Packers.
Under the provisions of the act the
! PdIhCIS are 1OIDIuueu W engage III
unfair, discriminatory or deceptive
practices, or to central prices or es
tablish a monopoly in business. We
are given authority to do everything
which seems to be necessary to make
sure that the packers live up to the
law. We have the right to examine
their books, to call in witnesses, and
to make Investigations of all kinds.
Commission merchants, traders
stockyards companies and all other
market agencies are forbidden from
| charging unreasonable rates, dis
criminatory or deceptive practices
Over them also We have a large au-
thority. All of these market agencies
must register with the Secretary OF
| Agriculture and their rates, charges
and practices must be approved Sc
we're penalties are imposed for non
compliance with the orders of the adj
ministrative agency, but all parties
concerned have the right to appeal t.
| the courts.
Because Of the great Importance OF
the act and the scope of its jurisdic-
ton we have been proceeding care
fully in building up our organization
for its enforcement Mr. Crester Nor
/ rill, head Of the administration, has
been active, since last September, in
creating an organization which would
function speedily and efficiently. He
has gathered together a corps of
competent advisers and executives Sc
| lected for their knowledge and prac-
teal experience in the marketing and
| handling Of live stock. The same test
was applied in selecting live stock
market supervisors to represent the
department in the field and to form