REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF MARKETS. 



U:nited States Departme^^t of Agriculture, 



Bureau of ^Markets, 

 Washing ton, D. 6'., Se^nemher 23, 1910. 

 Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the work 

 of the Bureau of Markets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919. 

 Eespectfully, 



George Livingstox, 

 Acting Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. D. F. Houston, 



Seci'etary of Agriculture. 



During the fiscal year 1919 the work of the Bureau of Markets was 

 directed by Mr. Charles J. Brand, who resigned June 30, 1910, to 

 accept a commercial position. 



The appropriations available were largely augmented by emer- 

 gency funds, wliich were deemed to be necessary at the time the ap- 

 proi:)riation bills were passed in the fall of 1918. The unexpected 

 signing of the armistice changed the aspect of the work materially, 

 however, and it was necessary by the middle of the year to take steps 

 to anticipate the discontinuance of emergency appropriations at the 

 end of June and to prepare to place the Bureau on a normal basis at 

 the beginning of the new fiscal year with as little confusion and detri- 

 ment to the work as possible. Tlie various market news services of 

 the Bureau liad been much expanded with emergency funds and this 

 forced contraction of work made it necessary either to discontinue 

 certain leased-wire circuits during the latter part of the fiscal year 

 or to serve notice that such discontinuance would have to be effected 

 in the summer or fall. Vigorous protests against this action were 

 received, especially from the western part of the country, which was 

 to f^ufler the greatest loss in service. 



These reductions in ax^propriations caused the elimination of much 

 work which would have an important bearing on present problems 

 in connection with the distribution of food products. Therefore. 

 Congress has recently been requested to provide appropriations for 

 restoring the leased-wire services mentioned and to allow the Bureau 

 to take up certain work which was discontinued, including monthly 

 reports to show the amount of cereals, sugar, and canned goods held 

 in storage, and the city market-reporting service whereby consumers 

 may receive information regarding prices and supplies of fresh foods 

 in important markets. 



427 



