Publication of Findings 



The publication of research findings is an essential 

 part of research, but is one of the more neglected items 

 so far as legislation is concerned. In few cases is pub- 

 lication required, the more common statutory phrasing 

 being to the effect that the agency "may publish from 

 time to time" such of its findings as it deems desirable, 

 'riie use of funds for printing and binding is generally 

 authorized but is usually circumscribed by provision 

 of insufficient funds for the purpose in annual appro- 

 priation acts. 



Annual reports are generally required but are con- 

 cerned chiefly with an accounting of finances and ad- 

 ministration. For present purposes annual i-eports 

 may be disregarded. Reports on research findings and 

 publication of statistics will be separately discussed. 



Publication of Research Findings 



The Hatch Act, which has been either a naodel or a 

 point of departure for so many succeeding research 

 statutes, is more specific in the matter of publication 

 than later enactments have been. In addition to 

 requiring annual reports covering operations and 

 finances, the act provides that — 



bulletins or reports of progress shall be published at said sta- 

 tions at least once in 3 months, one copy of which shall be 

 sent to each newspaper in the States or Territories in which 

 they are respectively located, and to such individuals actually 

 engaged in farming as may request the same and as far as 

 the means of the station will permit. Such bulletins or reports 

 and the annual reports of said stations shall be transmitted in 

 the mails of the United States free of charge for postage, under 

 such regulations as the Postmaster General may from time 

 to time prescribe. (24 Stat. 440.) 



Detail such as this, however, is rare in organic acts. 

 The more common forms of providing for publication 

 are simpler and less definite. The Chief of the Chil- 

 dren's Bureau, for example, and the Director of the 

 Women's Bureau are to publish the results of studies 

 and investigations by their respective organizations 

 "in such manner and to such extent" as the Secretary 

 of Labor may prescribe (U. S. C. 42: 192, 29: 13) ; and 

 the annual allotment of funds to the Public Health 

 Service under the Social Security Act is earmarked for 

 "investigation of disease and problems of sanitation 

 (mcluding the printing and binding of the findings of 

 such investigations)" (49 Stat. 620, 635). Similarly 

 the Bureau of Mines is authorized to publish reports 

 of its research findings from time to time, subject to 

 the direction of the Secretary of the Interior; and a 

 like indefiniteness prevails with respect to results of 

 surveys and studies by the Federal Housing Adminis- 

 tration. The United States Housing Authority is au- 

 thorized simply to "publish and disseminate informa- 



National Resources Committee 



tion pertinent to the various aspects of housing.'" (50 

 Stat. S8S, 891.) 



The independent regulatory commissions, because of 

 the special nature of their investigations and because 

 of the fact that their findings constitute prima facie 

 evidence in courts of law, are under rules with regard 

 to publication which differ somewhat from those gov- 

 erning other agencies. Provisions are similar for all 

 the commissions in this category, however, and may 

 be illustrated by one citation. The Federal Trade 

 Commission is empowered to — 



make public from time to time such portions of the infor- 

 mation obtained by it hereunder, except trade secrets and 

 names of customers, as it shall deem expedient in the pub- 

 lic interest ; and to make annual and special reports to the 

 Congress and to submit therewith recommendations for addi- 

 tional legislation ; and to provide for the publication of its 

 reports and decisions in such form and manner as may be 

 be.st adapted for public information and use. (38 Stat. 717, 

 721-2.) 



The reports of the Interstate Commerce Commission 

 are to contain "such information and data collected by 

 the Commission as may be considered of value in the 

 determination of questions connected with the regula- 

 tion of commerce * * *" (24 Stat. 379, 387) ; and 

 those of the Federal Communications Commission, 

 "such information and data * * * as may be con- 

 sidered of value m the determination of questions con- 

 nected with the regulation of interstate and foreign 

 wire and radio communication and radio transmission 

 ofenergj' * * *" (46 Stat. 1064, 1062). 



Publication of Statistics 



The element of timeliness is more apt to be recog- 

 nized in the publication of statistics than it is in the 

 publication of research findings. Thus the Commis- 

 sioner of Labor Statistics is directed by law to "col- 

 lect, collate, report, and publish at least once each 

 month full and complete statistics" with respect to em- 

 ployment, including number of persons employed, 

 wages, and hours in designated occupations. The Bu- 

 reau of the Census is required to publish statistics of 

 cotton production weekly from September 1 to Feb- 

 ruary 1, cottonseed statistics monthly, statistics of 

 manufacturing every second year, and the decennial 

 census of population, as well as various other statis- 

 tical reports. 



The Secretary of Agriculture is required to issue 

 between July 1 and December 1 of each year, five 

 monthly reports of cotton statistics — 



each of whiel) shall state the condition and progress of the 

 crop and the probable number of bales which will be ginned, 

 these reports to be issued simultaneously with the cotton gin- 

 ning reports of the Bureau of the Census relating to the same 

 dates, the two reports to be issued from the same place at 



