492 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



An effort to equalize distribution was also made and the department 

 was successful in putting producers and distributors in touch in a 

 number of instances, with advantage to them not only, but to the 

 consumer as well. I might say here that I believe that there is a big 

 place for work of this kind and that the time has arrived when the 

 establishment of a State Marketing Bureau would be decidedly ad- 

 vantageous. Even with our modern facilities for rapid transportation 

 and the rapid dissemination of news, surprising inequalities of distribution 

 exist, and shortages of certain commodities in one place and over abun- 

 dance in others, were found to be frequent. Obviously, if some agency 

 was created to eliminate this condition all would be benefited. Lacking 

 such an agency, this department has attempted to exercise its functions 

 to a certain extent and, all things considered, has been very successful. 

 All of this work has entailed a huge amount of detailed investigation and 

 the resources of the department have been frequently taxed. 



FAIR PRICE COMMITTEE 



In view of the large number of complaints being made and because 

 of the fact that some merchants appear to be tempted by public 

 extravagance to unduly increase their prices, I believe that the establish- 

 ment of a Fair Price Committee would prove of invaluable assistance to 

 the citizens of the state. Inasmuch as I have outlined this proposal at 

 length in another part of the report, under the living cost investigation, 

 I will not take it up further at this time. 



The work of the department, particularly the work of the laboratory, 

 was badly disorganized for nearly a month early last fall because of the 

 necessity for cRanging our quarters. Our former quarters were torn down 

 in accordance with the capitol extension plan, and our offices moved to 

 their present location, on the third floor of the old Bryant school house. 

 While the present quarters will do as a make-shift, we are badly crowded, 

 and it is to be hoped that we will not be forced to remain longer than 

 absolutely necessary. 



The routine work of the department has greatly increased during 

 the past year, particularly the work of scale inspection, and it appear.s 

 that the number of men engaged in this work should be increased. 



Of invaluable assistance were a number of important changes in the 

 laws enforced by this department, enacted by the Thirty-eighth General 

 Assembly. Changes were made in the food law, sanitary law, dairy law 

 and weights and measures law. One new law, the egg law, was given to 

 this department t.o enforce. These changes will be discussed elsewhere. 



The same General Assembly also provided for a revision of the 

 salaries of the employes of this department, and I am frank to say that 

 I believe that none of the numerous changes in the laws enforced by this 

 department were of more benefit. There had been no increases granted 

 for a number of years. The cost of living had advanced 65 to 75 per cent. 

 Commercial and other concerns had given their help increases some- 

 where near in proportion to the increased cost of living. The depart- 

 ment lost eleven men during 1918 on account of these conditions. The 

 plan I offered putting inspectors on a graduated basis increasing their 



