EEPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 



343 



A number of proposed orders of the Secretary of Agriculture to 

 establish, and of regulations to enforce, quarantines under the law 

 were examined as to their legal form and suflSiciency. 



THE LACEY ACT (35 STAT.. 1137). 



Thirty cases were reported to the Attorney General for prosecu- 

 tion. At the close of the year 1914, 83 cases were pending. Of the 

 cases reported during the year 1915, 17, and of those pending at the 

 close of the year 1914, 59, in all 76, were terminated in 1915; 45 re- 

 sulted in convictions; 29 were dismissed or nolle prosequis were 

 entered; and in 2 grand juries failed to indict. Thirty-seven cases 

 were pending at the close of the year. 



In the cases in which convictions were obtained, fines were as 

 follows: • 



In addition to the fines, defendants were compelled to pay sub- 

 stantial costs. 



PROTECTION OF BIRD RESERVES LAW (35 STAT., 1104). 



There were no prosecutions under this statute during the year. 



THE MIGRATORY-BIRD LAW (37 STAT., 847). 



Thirty-eight cases were reported to the Department of Justice for 

 prosecution. Two cases were pending at the close of the preceding 

 year. A total of $55 in fines was assessed ; in one case $10, in another 

 $20, and in a third $25. Grand juries refused to indict in 6; the 

 statute was held unconstitutional in 4 ; and 2 were dismissed without 

 action. Twenty-five cases were pending at the close of the year. 



The Government's motion for rehearing in United States v. 

 Shauver (214 Fed., 154) was overruled and an appeal is now pending 

 in the Supreme Court. 



Numerous letters were written replying to requests from various 

 sections of the country for advice as to the interpretation of the 

 regulations under the law. 



MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION. 



A new section was organized in this office September 1, 1914, fol- 

 lowing the enactment of the United States cotton futures Act of 

 August 18, 1914 (38 Stat., 693). To it is referred all the legal work 

 incident to the enforcement of that act and to the activities of the 

 department in connection with questions of the distribution of farm 

 products and the problems of rural life. 



In cooperation with the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, 

 regulations for the administration of the cotton futures act were pre- 



