662 ANNUAL. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Las Vegas, N. Mex. ; Phoenix, Ariz. ; Houston, Tex. ; Huron, S. Dak. ; 

 Hutchinson, Kans. ; Kearney, Nebr. ; Lexington, Ky. ; Manhattan, 

 Kans. ; Memphis, Tenn. ; Muncie, Ind. ; Salina, Kans.; San Fran- 

 >cisco, Calif.; Shreveport, La.; Topeka, Kans.; Valdosta, Ga. ; Bos- 

 ton, Mass. ; and Winchester, Ind. 



SCHEDULES OF RATES AND CHARGES. 



During the first part of the year an effort was made to have every 

 market agency and stockyard company file five copies of its sched- 

 ules of rates and charges. This was accomplished through the co- 

 operation of the market supervisors. In checking up it was found 

 that many agencies had been improperly registered and others had 

 registered more than once. After the schedules were all obtained, 

 folders were prepared for each market agency, so that there is now 

 on file a complete histoiy of the schedules for each market agency 

 and stockyard compam% as well as a file of effective tariffs, a file for 

 the use of the division of audits and accounts, and a file for working 

 purposes of this division. 



One compilation for all stockyards companies and another for all 

 commission agencies have been prepared and distributed, showing all 

 their rates and charges for all the markets. 



There have been many changes in schedules during the year. In 

 ■each case where these changes and proposed changes have involved 

 increases in rates they have been investigated carefully in order to 

 determine whether the increases should be allowed. The market 

 agency or stockyard company proposing changes has been called upon 

 ito furnish specific information, and the auditing division of the Pack- 

 ers and Stockyards Administration has secured further information 

 when necessary. In many cases where it appeared that the increases 

 were not justified, it was possible to adjust the matter satisfactorily 

 without the necessity of formal proceedings. In a number of cases 

 the proposed increases were withdrawn after full information had 

 been presented and considered. A number of formal proceedings 

 were begun and carried on, information regarding which, including 

 the arbitration of commission rates, will be found in the part of this 

 .report devoted to the docket record. 



PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS BY COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS. 



From time to time during the administration of the packers and 

 stockj^ards act questions have been raised under paragraph (/) of 

 section 306 with respect to the payment of patronage dividends by 

 cooperative associations of producers. The Packers and Stockyards 

 Administration has dealt with each organization according to the 

 facts submitted in connection with its plan of operation, with proper 

 regard to the laws of the State under which the association was in- 

 corporated, and has published no general rulings or opinions. The 

 administration, however, uniformly advised all associations inter- 

 ested that section 306 (/) of the packers and stockyards act makes 

 it unlawful for any market agency to " refund or remit in any man- 

 ner any portion of the rates or charges " specified in its published 

 schedules, but that it expressly provides that " this shall not pro- 

 hibit a cooperative association of producers from bone fide returning 

 to its members on a patronage basis its excess earnings on their live- 



