The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1922-07-27
To Control Packers.

packers are forbidden to engage IN un- |
fair, discriminatory or deceptive prac-
tees, to control prices or establish a
in business. We are given |
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. stock
yards companies and all other market
agencies are forbidden from charging
unreasonable rates and from engaging
in unjust, unreasonable, discriminatory
or deceptive practices. Over them also
we have large authority. All of these
market agencies must register with the
Secretary of Agriculture and their rates,
charges and practices must be approved.
Severe penalties are imposed for non
compliance with the orders of the ad-
ministrative agency, but all parties con-
cerned have the right to appeal to the
courts.
Because of the great Importance of
the act and the scope of its jurisdiction
we have been proceeding carefully in
building up our organization for its en-
forcement. Mr.. Chester Morrill,, head
of the administration, has been active,
since last September, in creating an or
ganization which would function speed
lily and efficiently. He has gathered to-
and executives selected for their know
ledge and practical experience in the
marketing and handling of stock. The
same test was applied in selecting live
stock market supervisors to represent
the department in the field and to form
the actual contract with the industry.
Some Large Figures.
The industry subject to supervision is
one of the basic parts of American ag-
riculture. 1t is one of the largest single
industries in this country. Its magni-
, tude is indicated by the fact that at SO
stockyards under our supervision more
than S0000,000 cattle, sheep and swine
were received during the year 1921.
The establishment of supervision at
the centre live stock markets has been
accompi, cd Today there are super
visors in II markets, namely: Atlanta,
Ga; Buffalo, N. Y; Chicago, ILL.,; Gin
cinnati, Ohio; Denver, Colo; Detroit,
Mich; El Paso, Texas; Fort Worth, Tex
as; Indianapolis, Ind; Kansas City,
Mo-; National Stock Yards, H.; New
York City, N. Y; Omaha, Neb.; Pitts
burgh, Penn; San Francisco, CAL; Sioux
City, Iowa; and South St. Paul, MINI.
1t is not the purpose of the depart
ment to cover the country with an army
of field supervisors, but rather to sta
tion men at the markets which from an
administrative and geographic stand
point would seem to need the presence
of supervisors. The smaller markets
which constitute by far the larger mum.
Der under supervision will be handled
by the supervisors at the principal mar.
kets. The country is being divided into
four divisions, and when the organiza
tion is complete there will be one gen.
eral supervisor, for each division, and
under him the local supervisors at the
various larger packing and marketing
centers.
Supervisors Duties.
The duties of these supervisors ir
general will be to supervise the prac
tices in the yards over which they have
jurisdiction. The first act of the super
visor is to become entirely familiar with
his market. The department at Washing
ton has been supplied with great am
cunt Of facts and information dealing
with the important markets. Supervis
ors' reports reveal the fact that tn,
manner and methods vary considerably
While there is a general uniformity o.
practice among the larger terminal mar
kets, the ways of doing business are moi
always the same. One of the function!
of this act will be to harmonize prac
tices as far as possible. This does no
mean that old standards or former prac
tices will be eliminated because they ar
not uniform, but an effort will be mad
to improve ways of doing business 81
that approximately uniform method
may result.
We are urging farmers and stockmel
to feel perfectly free to go to the super
visors whenever they believe they hav
received unfair treatment, and also t.
report any unfair practices which hav
come under their observation.
Stops Abuses.
Decided improvements in a number o
market practices already have been bro
about, though organization work is no
: as yet completed. At st. Louis complain
was made that certain members Of tn