BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS. 171 



J STANDARD CONTAINER ACT IS EFFECTIVE. 



The enforcement of the standard container act met with little 

 serious opposition and in general has received the hearty cooperation 

 of the manufacturers during the past year. In securing this co- 

 operation, however, it has been necessary to visit the various factories 

 and make tests of a very large number of containers. Visits were 

 made during the year to 67 factories and an examination made of 

 3,613 sample containers. In 1922, 2,284 containers were tested and 

 in 1921 only 466. The great increase in the receipts of samples to 

 be tested makes one of the greatest j)roblems the handling of this 

 work with expedition. Elffort is being made to work out more 

 definite specifications for the use of the manufacturers, and sug- 

 gestions regarding methods to be used to safeguard capacity have 

 been sent to all manufacturers. 



Of baskets directly affected by the standard container act; namely, 

 climax baskets, berry boxes, and till baskets, the percentage- of those 

 tested found to be standard increased from 62 per cent in 1920 to 

 80 per cent in 1923. Of baskets indirectly affected by the act, 

 namely, hampers, round stave baskets, and market baskets, the per- 

 centage rose from 40 per cent in 1920 and 1921 to 59 per cent in 1922, 

 but dropped back to 49 per cent in 1923. Taking the two classes 

 as a whole, the percentage of those tested found to be standard has 

 increased from 53 per cent in 1920 to 76 per cent in 1923. The sub- 

 ject of standard crates and boxes for fruits and vegetables should be 

 given more attention than has been possible to give it under the very 

 limited appropriation available. There is a genuine interest in this 

 subject in many quarters and a need for standardization. 



COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION 1918 EXCESS WOOL PROFITS. 



Wells A. Sherman, In Charge. 



W. L. Evans, Assistant. 



During the fiscal year 1923 the Domestic Wool Section has di- 

 rected its efforts particularly toward the settlement of pending 

 cases and the distribution of excess profits to woolgrowers. The 

 total amount of ascertained excess profits made on wool during 1918 

 is $1,478,793.57. Of this amount $734,235.92 has been collected and 

 $381,275.13 has been distributed to woolgrowers, of which $66,115.75 

 was mailed to woolgrowers during the past year. Total collections 

 during the year aggregated $112,571.27. 



Of the amount yet to be collected $596,000 is due from 43 dealers 

 whose cases have been referred to the solicitor for collection through 

 leg;d procedure. During the past year four cases have been tried 

 and three decided in favor of the Government. Judgment has not 

 vet been rendered on the fourth case. The right of the Government to 

 collect excess wool profits has been sustained by the Federal courts 

 in eight judicial districts. 



