582 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and Chicago, 111., it appeared that a new charge not previously 

 imposed was being exacted by the stockyards companies from traders 

 on account of the re weighing of. live stock necessitated by their trans- 

 actions. The major portion of the revenues of the stockyards com- 

 panies are derived from the yardage charges assessed against live 

 stock in the hands of commission men and from the feeding of live 

 stock in the yards. The traders complained that the new charge was 

 unfairly discriminatory and excessive. Its consideration involved 

 the consideration of other charges of the stockyards companies in 

 case it was found that any readjustment of charges should be made 

 in order to satisfy the complaints. The stockyards companies in- 

 sisted upon the propriety of the new charges and the justice of their 

 contentions, and accordingly it was necessary to issue formal com- 

 plaints. The hearings upon these complaints were set for dates in 

 June, but in order to meet the wishes of various parties interested 

 have been postponed until September, 1922. 



Docket No. 8. — The Secretary of Agriculture v. Eidson, Hopkins Co., and others, 

 Baltimore, Md. 



The complaint in this proceeding was issued as a result of the 

 receipt of complaints from shippers who protested against a pro- 

 posed schedule of charges of the Baltimore Live Stock Exchange, 

 whereby there would be exacted, in addition to the regular commis- 

 sion charge, 60 cents for each additional account sales after the first 

 two on cooperative live-stock shipments handled by exchange mem- 

 bers. This charge on its face appeared to be excessive compared 

 with the value of the service rendered, and the tariff was suspended. 

 Formal hearing has been set for August IT. A general inquiry in 

 connection with this proceeding will be made into the basis for the 

 various rates and charges made by members of the Baltimore ex- 

 change. 



