REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 51 



Closely associated with the supervision of live-stock markets is the 

 problem of a similar authority over the slaughtering, meat-packing, 

 and related interests which are centered at the principal live-stock 

 markets. Under the regulations applied to meat-packing establish- 

 ments by the Food Administration, limitations have been placed on 

 profits on meats and by-products handled by these establishments, 

 the installation of uniform accounting systems has progressed with 

 comparative rapidity, and the centralization of control by a small 

 group of packers has been materially checked. The economic wel- 

 fare of meat production and distribution would be promoted by the 

 continuation and development in some form of the supervision over 

 the packing industry. Such control should be closely coordinated 

 with that over the live-stock markets. There is need, in connection 

 with this supervisory system, of a central office to which packing 

 concerns should be required to report currently in such form and 

 detail that it would be constantly informed concerning their opera- 

 tions. Such an arrangement would afford protection to producers 

 and consumers. 



The restoration and maintenance of conditions which will justify 

 confidence in the live-stock markets and meat-packing industry is 

 the greatest single need in the present meat situation in the United 



t 



States. It seems desirable, therefore, that the necessary legislation 

 be enacted at the earliest possible moment. The assurance of open 

 competition and the stabilizing of prices in the live-stock mar- 

 kets, the elimination of evil practices, the adjustment of charges 

 for market services, and the restoration of confidence in market condi- 

 tions generally, apparently require three remedies, namely, regula- 

 tion, information, and voluntary cooperation. Federal regulation, 

 organized and administered as indicated above, exercised in close 

 harmony with the regulatory bodies of the various States, is the most 

 essential feature. Constant publicity, under Government direction, 

 of current market prices, supplies, movements, and other conditions 

 pertaining to the marketing of live stock, meats, and animal by- 

 products, would add immeasurably to the effectiveness of any form of 

 regulation. It would also be a means of stabilizing the marketing of 

 live stock and its products and of making available the information 

 required by producers and distributors for the most intelligent and 

 economical marketing of their products. Progress already has been 

 made in the creation of machinery for such service at market centers 



