REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 55 



report the number of people to whom he shows them. The audience, 

 as actually reported for 1922, was 1,937,570; as actually reported 

 for 1923, 4,460,077. Allowance should be made for possible exag- 

 geration, but this consideration is balanced by the fact that many 

 users failed to report their showings. In addition, there are no 

 figures available in regard to the exact size of the audiences 

 reached by the department films that have been bought by cooperat- 

 ing or outside institutions. As such purchased films outnumber the 

 films owned and circulated by the department, and as many of the 

 purchasers are known to be actively and continually circulating the 

 films to large audiences, figures on this circulation probably would 

 compare favorably with the figures reported to the department. 



The growth of distribution would seem to be a fair indication of 

 the value of motion pictures in the department's work, but the figures 

 are not more impressive than the written expressions that come fre- 

 quently from users of the films. These statements in general are to 

 the effect that the films have a remarkable effect in attracting large 

 crowds to meetings, stimulating interest in the subjects under discus- 

 sion, giving clear conceptions of unfamiliar ideas, and furnishing 

 inspirational impetus to campaigns for community betterment. 



PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT. 



In accordance with the general policy of the department to admin- 

 ister all regulatory statutes assigned to it in a constructive and help- 

 ful manner and under the broad general authority provided in the 

 packers and stockyards act, a study of economic conditions and prob- 

 lems applicable to the livestock and meat-packing industry has been 

 made both in this coimtry and abroad. These studies have related 

 chiefly to methods of distribution and competitive practices and con- 

 ditions, and an effort has been made to give the public assurance of 

 the wholesomeness and desirability of meat in the diet. 



Some important cases involving the activities of leading packers 

 of the country were handled during the fiscal year. One of these was 

 pending at the first of the year in connection with which complaints 

 had been made alleging unfair, unjustly discriminatory, and decep- 

 tive practices. The case was considered through formal hearings 

 and special investigations, and an appropriate order was issued to 

 78007— AGR 1923 5 



