BUREAU OF AGRICULTUKAL ECONOMICS. 177 



removal from the market, bnt the fact that an inspector is on duty 

 in the market tends to minimize the necessity for such action. The 

 successful dealer recognizes the importance of satisfied customers and 

 strives for quality in service and products. 



IMPROVEMENT IN SANITARY CONDITIONS. 



The inspectors are constantly working with the dealers to improve 

 sanitary conditions. Improvement in that direction is apparent and 

 has had a tendency to increase confidence on the part of the public 

 in the market. The enforcement of regulations, particularly with 

 reference to sanitation, is carried on with the hearty cooperation of 

 the dealers. 



PARKING ACCOMMODATIONS IMPROVED. 



Careful consideration was given to the problem of providing addi- 

 tional parking space for the automobiles of market patrons early 

 in the past year. The situation was particularly discouraging to 

 patrons on Saturdays, when streets in this area were badl}' congested. 

 Through the cooperation of the District Commissioners, a police 

 regulation was put into efi'ect limiting the parking of passenger- 

 carrying vehicles around the market to one hour. This regulation 

 has produced good results and added materially to the convenience 

 of the public in trading at Center Market. 



BUSINESS IMPROVED THROUGH ADVERTISNG. 



A three months' campaign of institutional advertising was con- 

 ducted during March, April, and May of this year in an effort to 

 increase business in the market and to acquaint the public with the 

 facilities available at Center Market. Advertisements were placed 

 in the four largest newspapers in Washington, space being divided 

 equally among them. "VVliile it is difficult to measure the results 

 obtained from such advertising, it is believed that it produced good 

 results and warrants continuation, perhaps in modified form. The 

 cost of the advertising was met entirely by the dealers, this office 

 aiding in furnishing material for use in the preparation of copy. 

 A fund of approximately $2,800 was raised for this purpose by 

 about 125 of the 173 dealers. 



RETAIL MARGINS STUDIED. 



Retail prices are collected weekly on several classes of products 

 from a selected list of dealers in cooperation with the Cost of 

 Marketing Division of this bureau. These prices are used in a 

 study of retail margins in conjunction with similar studies in prog- 

 ress in other cities. In connection with the cost of retailing studies, 

 statements of business done in Center Market during the calendar 

 year 1922 were required from all tenants. These statements show 

 gross sales, cost, and expense. The reports are of general value 

 in the operation of the market in addition to their value in connec- 

 tion with cost studies, although their value in the first year is some- 

 what impaired by the inadequate records kept by some of the smaller 

 dealers. 



The rendition of these annual statements is a permanent part of 

 our program, and all dealers were warned at the beginning of the 



