420 ANNUAL RIJPOKTS OP PEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



sideration was 2;iven to the suspension of 47, the revocation of 2, and 

 the cancellation of 33 licenses of inspectors under the act, and related 

 correspondence, orders, and other papers were reviewed or pre- 

 pared. In proceedings against inspectors and in alleged violations 

 of the act by shippers notices were prepared and the records reviewed 

 upon request of the Bureau of Markets. 



Approximately 140 opinions on questions arising in the adminis- 

 tration of the act and the regulations were prepared, revised, or ap- 

 proved, and 10 Service and Regulatory Announcements and 14 

 information bulletins of the Bureau of Markets, containing opinions 

 and information relative to the act, were examined and changes 

 suggested when necessary. 



The second semiannual publication, required by the act, of certain 

 facts reported by licensed inspectors and furnished by grain ware- 

 housemen was passed upon. 



UNITED STATES WAREHOUSE ACT. 



[39 Stat, 486.] 



In cooperation with the Bureau of Markets, and after conferences 

 with trade representatives and a series of public hearings, regula- 

 tions for cotton warehouses under the act were drafted. Assistance 

 was given in the preparation of 20 forms for use in the administra- 

 tion of the act and the regulations. In addition assistance was given 

 the Bureau of Markets in investigations in seven markets prelimi- 

 nary to the preparation of regulations for tobacco and grain ware- 

 houses. 



STANDARD CONTAINER ACT. 



[39 Stat, 673.] 



By its terms this act came into force on November 1, 1917. In 

 cooperation with the Bureau of Markets, regulations to carry the 

 act into effect and instructions to inspectors engaged in its enforce- 

 ment, together with required forms, were drafted. 



FOOD CONTROL ACT. 



[40 Stat, 276.] 



Aside from the licensing and other activities under this act men- 

 tioned in the summary of this report, two contracts were prepared 

 covering the purchase by the department of approximately 120,000 

 tons of nitrate of soda in Chile. This office participated with the 

 War Industries Board in the preliminary conferences and negotia- 

 tions which rCvSulted in securing this nitrate. Assistance was given 

 the Bureau of Markets in developing a plan for the allotment, sale, 

 and delivery of the same to farmers, and in the preparation of a cir- 

 cular of information, application forms, and letters of instruction to 

 banks and distributors. The status of the fertilizer tax laws in all 

 of the States was investigated and legal questions involved in alleged 

 shortages in deliveries of nitrate were considered. 



Alleged unfair cancellation of certain contracts by a fertilizer 

 company, involving the sale and future deliveries of nitrate of soda, 

 was investigated through correspondence, conferences, and hearings, 

 which resulted in reinstatement of certain of the contracts and a sav- 

 ing to purchasers thereunder of a large sum of money. 



