REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 35 



foifeitiire was entered. The goods in the latter case were subse- 

 quently released to the claimants under bond after payment of the 

 costs. The Insecticide and Fungicide Board has completed its 

 organization for obtaining evidence of violations of this statute. 



LACEY ACT. 



Thirty-four cases involving the unlawful shipment of game were 

 reported for prosecution under the Lacey Act (sees. 242 and 243, 

 Penal Code). The Biological Survey has arranged, through co- 

 operation with State officials, to trace such shipments more effec- 

 tively, and it is expected that this plan Avill contribute materially to 

 the detection of violations of this statute. Six cases presented dur- 

 ing the year 1912 resulted in convictions. In one case the defendant 

 was acquitted. 



OTHER WORK. 



Three hundred and fifty-seven contracts and leases were prepared 

 for the several bureaus, offices, and divisions of the department, in 

 addition to those prepared for the Forest Service in the field. Dur- 

 ing the fiscal year 1911, 339 contracts and leases were prepared for 

 the same bureaus, offices, and divisions. 



Nineteen applications for letters patent on inventions of em- 

 ployees of the department, for dedication to the public, were filed 

 in 1912, more than double the number filed in 1911. Ten patents 

 were allowed during the year and 2 were disallowed. In 1911, 10 

 patents were allowed and there were no disallowances. 



During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1912, 20 claims for balances 

 due the estates of as many employees of various branches of the de- 

 partment Avho died intestate were examined, the necessary papers 

 prepared for the payment of the same, and advice furnished adminis- 

 trative officers of the department relative thereto. 



PUBLICATIONS Oh" THE OFFICE. 



In addition to the 655 Notices of Judgment published by authority 

 of section 4 of the food and drugs act and discussed in detail in 

 another part of this report, the office issued 11 circulars, embodying 

 decisions of the courts construing the statutes intrusted to the de- 

 partment for execution. Six of these embodied decisions on cases 

 arising under the 28-hour law, 3 under the food and drugs act, 1 

 under the National Forest administrative act, and 1 a decision of the 

 Attorney General under the moat-inspection law. There was also 

 published during the year a supplement to the annotated edition of 

 the 28-hour law issued on October 2, 1909, thereby bringing up to 

 date the original edition. The office also publislied a compilation of 

 references to the legislative history of acts of Congress enforced by 



