276 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



by the staff specialists in the light of the knowledge developed by the 

 survey and investigations in .the staff laboratories. The value of 

 the work to be done and of the evidence to be obtained is determined 

 and a definite plan of action approved. It then becomes a part of 

 the schedule of work for the year and the districts proceed to carry 

 it into effect. 



The success of this plan of control involves a proper understand- 

 ing between the administiative officers in the field and those in Wash- 

 ington. This is brought about chiefly by the special or staff labora- 

 tories and offices of the bureau whose services are of a liaison char- 

 acter. The plan is thoroughly cooperative and contemplates a 

 proper articulation of everj- agency whose work has any bearing on 

 any one of the schedules. 



Cooperation with State and City Governments. 



The work of tlie Federal Government in regulating interstate and 

 foreign commerce in foods and drugs supplements but does not dis- 

 place the work of State and city governments in regulating the man- 

 ufacture and sale of these products Avithin their respective jurisdic- 

 tions. A State officer in Ohio can not reach a manufacturer in New 

 York who ships adulterated food into that State, but such a manu- 

 facturer may be reached through the operation of the Federal food 

 and drugs act. While the fields of operation of the Federal, State, 

 and city food and drug control officials are separate and distinct, 

 they are working for the same general objects and upon the same 

 kinds of products, so they have many problems in common. The ef- 

 ficiency of the work can be promoted and its cost kept at the mini- 

 mum through close cooperation among all food and drug officials. 

 There is maintained in tlie Bureau of Chemistry an office of coopera- 

 tion, the main function of which is to promote effective teamwork 

 in the enforcement of food and drug laws, especially through the ex- 

 change of information regarding methods of analysis and inspection, 

 commercial practices, standards, violations of law. and the like. 



Gratifying results have been obtained in the increased corre- 

 spondence and requests for information, as well as by the receipt of 

 information from those officials in various ways. Very satisfactory 

 reports have been received from the field forces as to the cooperation 

 being received from the various State and city departments, and espe- 

 cially from several States and cities where heretofore the cooperation 

 had been relatively undeveloped. In addition to the maintenance of 

 cooperation already developed among State officials, an attemi)t has 

 been made to secure more active cooperation on the part of municipal 

 officials engaged in food and dru^r law enforcement. Eesults so far 

 have been very encouraging, and it is the plan to prosecute work 

 along these lines during the present fiscal year. 



Work of the Staff Laboratories. 



The work of the staff laboratories during the year has been directed 

 in accordance with the project scheme of handling regulatory prob- 

 lems. These laboratories manned with specialists study the many 

 problems involved in applying the food and drugs act to specific prod- 

 ucts. They work out methods for detecting adulteration, collect data 



