50 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and, so far as governmental intervention is concerned, the tasks on 

 , which they may be employed should be of the highest public utility. 

 Public works would furnish suitable enlployment for many unem- 

 ployed men, and among such enterprises there are few kinds whose 

 construction is better worth expanding and pressing than public roads. 

 Many of the States will probably engage in road building as in 

 normal times from funds which they may have available in addi- 

 tion to those pledged to meet requirements of the Federal law. 

 Cities also will resume operations in this field, but, in view of the 

 transitional difficulties, we should not depend solely on activity under 

 existing law and financial provisions. An additional appropriation 

 from the Federal Treasury, to be expended through this Department, 

 for highway construction would seem to be desirable and fully 

 warranted, and such action is suggested for urgent and serious con- 

 sideration. If ample funds are made available to the Department, 

 they should be expended on projects selected after consultation with 

 the Federal Departments interested, especially War, Commerce, and 

 Post Office, as well as with the State central highway authorities. 



STOCKYARDS AND PACKING HOUSES. 



Under the authority conferred upon the President by the food- 

 control act, substantial progress was made by the Department of 

 Agriculture in the regulation and supervision of stockyards and 

 of commission men, traders, order buyers, packers, and others han- 

 dling or dealing in live stock in or in connection with stockyards. The 

 important results already accomplished in the improvement of live- 

 stock .marketing conditions, and in the elimination of many un- 

 economic and unfair market practices, demonstrate the effectiveness 

 of the form of control which has been exercised under the war power 

 and the desirability of continuing it or a similar form of supervision. 

 Not only the stockmen who patronize these great centers of live-stock 

 trade, but also some members of the trade themselves, have recognized 

 the possibilities for betterment of marketing conditions through 

 their regulation by the Department, utilizing its corps of supervisors 

 clothed with the requisite authority. Besides the protection thus 

 extended to consignors of live stock for sale at the markets, the oppor- 

 tunity is afforded for improvement in methods, facilities, and trade 

 practices incident to the handling and sale of live stock involving 

 many millions of dollars daily. 



