The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-07-27

introduction to Secretary Wallace of
the presidents cabinet. That he is
a man who knows his job rather than
knowing politics has been admitted
even by those who disagree with the
administration. Practical experience
and intensive study of his problems
have given him a great advantage in
his work of securing legislation that
will be of value to both the farmer in
particular and the nation in general.
When congress passed the Packers
and S~tockyards act it is doubtful If
the public in general and the live
stock producers in particular fully APP
preciated the significance of this legis-
latlon. 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 a crystalized form before pack
ers, market operators, producers and
others concerned alike, and seems 10
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 l 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, 1.-The object to be Sc
cured by the act is the free and un-
.burdened flow of live stock from the
ranges and farms - through the
great stockyards and sliughtering
centers-and thence in the form of
meat products in the consuming
cities" That was what congress had
in mind, as developed in hearings
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 "a constructive study of the meat
industry from the ranges and farms
to the table of the consumer.
Under the provisions Of the act the
packers are forbidden to engage in
discriminatory or deceptive
practices, or to control prices or es-
tablish a monopoly in business. We
are given authority to do anything
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,
companies and all other
agencies are forbidden from
charging unreasonable rates and from
engaging in unjust, unreasonable, dis
or deceptive practices.
Over them also we have a large au-
All of these market agencies
must register with the secretary of
and their rates charges
and practices must be approved. Sc
we're penalties are imposed for non.
with the orders of the add
ministrative agency, but all parties
concerned have a right to appeal to
the courts.
Because Of the great importance Of
the act and the scope of its jurisdic.
ton we have been proceeding are
fully in building up u organization
for it's enforcement. Mr.. Chester, Nor
rill, head Of the administrations. has
been active, since last September, in
creating an organization which would
function speedily and efficiently. He
has gathered together a corps of
advisers and executives Sc
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
in the field and to form
the actual contact with the industry.
The industry subject to supervision
is one of the basic parts OF American
1t is one Of the largest
industries in this country. It's
magnitude is indicated by the fact
that at 50 stockyards under our super.
vision nor than 8 1000, 900 cattle
sheep and swine were received during
the year 1921.
The establishment Of supervision al
the central live stock markets has
been accomplished. Today there are
in II markets, namely:
Atlanta. Ca; Buffalo, N. "; Chicago.
ILL.,; Cincinnati, Chic; Denver, Colo;
Detroit, Mich; Ell Paso, Texas; Fort
Worth, Texas; Indianapolis, Ind:
Kansas City. Mo-: National Stock
Yards, ILL.,: New York City, N. Y;