BUREAU OF MARKETS. 431 



A number of specific market engineering problems received atten- 

 tion during the year and progress was made in perfecting a combined 

 glass-covered refrigerated display and storage counter for meats, 

 especially suited for installation in public retail markets. Studies 

 made during the year added to the information upon which designs 

 and estimates for market la3'outs, structures, and equipment must 

 be based. 



To help cities in establishing farmers' markets considerable atten- 

 tion has been given to the stud}^ of existing market ordinances, and 

 an endeavor has been made to prepare a suggestive ordinance which 

 incorporates necessary and practical provisions for the successful 

 establishment, financing, and operation of such markets. 



Investigations were carried on in various types of retail establish- 

 ments handling farm products because the cost of operation in food- 

 retailing shops is obviously an important factor in the ultimate cost 

 of food to consumers and because the degree of efficiency ^tained in 

 such operation affects the whole distribution system. Particular at- 

 tention was given to what may be termed the improved methods of 

 retail distribution, including the so-called " Four-square plan," '* Self- 

 service," " Cash and carry," etc. 



The marked development of self-service stores in recent years 

 constitutes one of the outstanding features in present-day retail 

 marketing of food. The system is economical of man power and 

 -eems to give promise of appreciably lower prices to consumers. 

 Little has been known generally, however, about the actual savings 

 and the principles and methods upon which these stores depend, and 

 the Bureau has received numerous inquiries in regard to these points. 

 Investigations, consequently, were carried on in practically all sec- 

 tions of the United States in whi' 1) f l^o development of these agencies 

 lias been marked. 



TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE. 



The transportation work of the Bureau is directed by Mr. G. C. 

 White. 



As in previous years, the perfecting of arrangements with common 

 carriers for reports to be used in connection with the Bureau's mar- 

 ket news services occupied the major portion of the time and efforts 

 of the Avorkers on this project. Five hundred and ninety-four com- 

 mon carriers made reports to the Bureau, these carriers controlling 

 248,722 miles, which for practical purposes is the entire mileage of 

 the United States. The term connnon carrier as used in this connec- 

 tion includes railroads, express companies, and boat lines. 



The storage work of the project was interrupted by the detail of the 

 specialist in storage to the War Department in the latter part of Octo- 

 ber, 1918. Up to that date regulatory measures had been devised, in 

 cooperation with the United States Food Administration, for the con- 

 ( rol of the cold-storage industr}^ and plans for the transportation of 

 meats to the fighting front had been worked out in cooperation with 

 tiie War Department. In order to continue the storage work, an 

 assistant in cold-storage methods and costs was appointed temporarily 

 and spent the remainder of the year, in cooperation with the project 

 'Market Business Practice," iii working out a system of uniform 

 accounting for cold-storage plants. 



