BUREAU OF MARKETS AXD CROP ESTIMATES. 



541 



The following table shows the approximate number and combined 

 capacity of warehouses licensed July 1, 1921, and on July 1, 1922 : 



COMPLETION OF THE WORK OF THE DOMESTIC WOOL SECTION. 



This work was directed by Wells A. Sherman assisted by W. L. 

 Evans. 



During the fiscal 5'ear 1922 field and office audits of the wool 

 business of dealers handling the 1918 clip resulted in increasing the 

 amount of excess profits due the Government to the extent of $205,- 

 941.53, making the total ascertained excess profits on 1918 wool 

 $1,434,823.18. During the year $49,478.13 was collected from wool 

 dealers and $91,931.92 was distributed to woolgrowers. During this 

 period 372 additional reports were obtained from country dealers, 

 the audit of which showed 73 additional country dealers as having 

 made excess profits. Payments were completed in 74 cases, making 

 the total number of cases closed 980, with 73 cases still awaiting 

 settlement.. 



The total excess profits collected to date amount to $621,664.65, 

 of which $315,159.38 has been distributed to growers. Of the balance 

 on hand, amounting to $306,505.27, it is estimated that at least 

 $117,000 will remain in the United States Treasury as undistribut- 

 able. There are 73 cases awaiting settlement, involving $813,158.53, 

 of which 47 cases, amounting to $626,693.22, are in the hands of the 

 solicitor for collection through legal proceedings. 



During the year four cases have been argued on demurrer, all of 

 which have been decided in favor of the Government. It is expected 

 that approximately 10 cases will be reached for hearing or trial in 

 the fall of 1922. 



OPERATION OF CENTER MARKET. WASHINGTON, D. C. 



The operation of Center Market is carried on under the direction 

 of C. W. Kitchen. 



Pursuant to an act of Congress approved March 4, 1921, the 

 operation of Center ]Vrarket was undertaken by this department on 

 April 1, 1922. On March 31. 1922, the Appraisal Commission ap- 

 pointed by tlie President under the act above mentioned filed its 

 award in^ the amount of $960,250, covering the purchase of the 

 building and imjirovements at Center Market, which had been made 

 at the expense of the Washington Market Co. The value of the land 

 was not included in this appraisal, as title to the land has always 

 vested in the Government. U])on the date of signing the award 

 75 per cent was paid to the Washington Market Co. and 25 per cent 

 held by the Government pending settlement of an appeal which was 

 immediately noted by the company. 



