592 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



trative officers. Proof of a claim due the department for services 

 rendered in classifying cotton under the act was prepared for filing 

 in the bankruptcy proceedings pending against the firm of Shepard 

 & Gluck, of New Orleans. 



FOOD PRODUCTS INSPECTION LAW. 



The provision authorizing a food products inspection service, which 

 for several years has been carried in the annual appropriation acts 

 for the department, was enlarged somewhat by the appropriation act 

 of May 11, 1922, making appropriations for the fiscal year 1923, in 

 that inspections were authorized at shipping points as well as at 

 important central markets designated by the Secretary and points 

 which can be conveniently reached therefrom. Advice on questions 

 arising under this provision was given the administrative officers, 

 and, in cooperation with them, there were drafted suitable regulations 

 for carrying on the work, forms for licensing as inspectors persons 

 who are not emplo3rees of the department, and forms of certificates. 



In cooperation with the administrative officers, a bill was drafted 

 at the request of a Member of Congress to authorize the Secretary to 

 establish and recommend approved trading rules and business prac- 

 tices for handlers of and dealers in farm products, to provide for a 

 system of adjustment of disputes, and for other purposes. A bill 

 (H. R. 9952) which was introduced in Congress along this line was 

 examined and amendments thereto were suggested. 



CAPPER-VOLSTEAD ACT. 



A statement relative to this act was prepared in cooperation with 

 administrative officers and assistance was given them in the prepara- 

 tion of answers to inquiries regarding the scope and operation of 

 the act. 



PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT. 



Assistance was rendered to and conferences had with 5^our assist- 

 ant in charge of the Packers and Stockyards Administration and its 

 attorney with reference to several matters arising under the packers 

 and stockyards act. 



FEDERAL WATER-POWER ACT. 



A number of opinions, prepared by the chief counsel of the Federal 

 Power Commission on legal questions arising in the administration 

 of the Federal water-power act submitted to this department for 

 consideration, were carefully examined by this office and returned 

 with appropriate comment. Consideration was also given to regu- 

 lations proposed for carrying out the act. 



MISCELLANY. 



A number of cases involving the personnel of the department 

 were considered during the year and advice given with reference 

 thereto. 



A great many letters and other papers prepared for your signature 

 or approval in the various bureaus of the department, referred to 



