BUREAU OF MARKETS. 409 



INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST INSPECTORS. 



One hundred and one cases of complaint against the work of in- 

 spectors have been investigated by the bureau, and the circumstances 

 surrounding the shipment of the grain chiimed to have been incor- 

 rectly graded ascertained. Where inspectors have been found in 

 error the reason for misgrading has been determined and action 

 taken to insure against repetition of such fault, and in other cases 

 the complainant has been advised of the conditions and assistance 

 has been rendered where a clear knowledge of the operation of the 

 act and of the ollicial standards was not evident. Action regarding 

 the possible revocation of licenses has already been mentioned. Rec- 

 ords of all complaints against inspectors have been maintained. 



STATISTICAL REPOBTS. 



Reports of the work performed by licensed inspectors are received 

 and compiled at the Washington office. Such reports are first 

 checked by the supervision offices in the field to insure compliance 

 with the requirements of the act and the rules and regulations there- 

 under. Through such reports complete information is available re- 

 garding each inspection made, the grade assigned, and the quality 

 and quantity of the grain inspected. Reports also have been re- 

 ceived and compiled as to shipments by grade between noninspec- 

 tion points which are not inspected and graded by licensed inspec- 

 tors. The data from such reports have been summarized in report 

 form as of July 1, 1917, in accordance with the requirements of the 

 act. They have been published as Service and Regulatory Announce- 

 ments No. 23. 



STANDAEDIZATION OF INSPECTION AND REPORT FORMS. 



All forms of inspection certificates issued by licensed inspectors 

 have been carefully examined to enforce compliance with the rules 

 and regulations under the act. Suggestions have been made, where 

 necessary, and forms which meet the requirements have been ap- 

 proved for use by the inspectors. Suggested forms for submitting 

 reports required by the act also have been prepared and distributed 

 among grain shippers, and standardized forms for use at the Offices 

 of Federal Grain Supervision have been developed and put into use 

 by such offices in the conduct of their work. Practically every opera- 

 tion required in the carrying out of the work of the act by shippers, 

 inspectors, or employees of the Department of Agriculture has been 

 standardized to the end that the results of the work may be intelli- 

 gently interpreted and comprehensive and conveniently available 

 records may exist. 



COOPERATION WITH THE GRAIN TRADE. 



Through personal visits, correspondence relative to specific in- 

 quiries, the publication of service announcements, and addresses by 

 members of the field force and of the Washington office, the opera- 

 tion of the act has been made known to all parties in the grain 

 trade. It is probably not too much to say that the inspection and 



