200 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
other consumers’ goods also are available to fishermen in some parts 
of the country. Through joming these and other cooperatives, fisher- 
men may make economic gains and learn cooperative techniques 
which may apply in their own occupation. 
The Bureau offers its assistance to groups of fishermen interested in 
the forming of cooperatives to the extent that its facilities can be 
devoted to this end. 
TECHNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS 
As has always been emphasized in previous annual reports of this 
Division, the primary purpose of our technological investigations is to 
bring about more efficient and more profitable utilization of the 
products of our fisheries. This is in line with, and in the best interests 
of, the conservation of the natural resources of this country because, 
in its broader sense, conservation includes the wisest and most com- 
plete utilization of our fishery harvest that modern science can make 
possible. Thus, technological investigations of the Bureau of Fisher- 
ies have been devoted to the improvement of existing methods and the 
development of new methods of utilization and preservation of aquatic 
products. Widening the uses of these products is another important 
phase of the work of our technologists. As the result of such studies 
during the past years, our technologists have been able to suggest 
gradual improvements in the industry and some of these suggestions 
have been placed in practical use. It is believed that there could be 
more widespread utilization of these improvements to the ultimate 
profit of the industry. 
Furthermore, our technological investigations, from time to time, 
have resulted in outstanding discoveries which have been the basis of 
new industries in the fisheries. A number of these discoveries were 
discussed in the 1937 annual report of this Division and referred to 
such subjects as the new domestic industry of producing fish oils and 
fish-liver oils as sources of vitamins A and D for both human and 
animal nutrition, the rapid discoveries and developments in the 
quick-freezing industry in which technologists of this Bureau pioneered, 
and the improvements and increases in the manufacture of fish meal 
as a highly important ingredient of livestock feeds. 
LABORATORIES 
During 1938 the Division carried on its technological studies under 
the direction of Dr. J. R. Manning, Senior Technologist, at its labora- 
tories located in Washington, D. C., College Park, Md., and Seattle, 
Wash. In addition, members of our technological staff cooperated 
in the conduct of investigations in the laboratories of the University 
of Maryland and Maryland State Agricultural Experiment Station at 
College Park, Md.; the University of Washington, Seattle, Wash. ; 
and Washington State College, Pullman, Wash. 
By means of funds allotted from the Public Works Administration 
and the Works Progress Administration, improvements were made 
during the year to the technological byproducts laboratory building 
and the chemical laboratories in Seattle, Wash. These included the 
placing of a brick veneer on the outer walls of the byproducts building, 
painting the interior, and staining the roof of this building, installing 
compressed-air lines and an additional sink, including lead linings in 
