BUREAU OF MARKETS. 451 



Reports for consumers were furnislied to newspapers which publish 

 them regularly in most cases. 



During- the fiscal year active cooperation was maintained with local 

 representatives of the Federal Food Administration in the publica- 

 tion of its fair-price lists. On account of the discontinuance of 

 emergency funds this work was closed on June 30, 1919. 



EMERGENCY TRAFFIC AND STORAGE ASSISTANCE. 



In order to render special assistance during the war, transporta- 

 tion men were sent to heavy producing sections to work in close co- 

 operation with shippers and carriers to avert shortages of cars and ice 

 for refrigeration in transit; to secure heavier and better loading; to 

 procure more efficient service for shippers, and to bring about the best 

 possible utilization of equipment. Although this work was first 

 undertaken during the war, it should be continued in peace times so 

 far as funds are avniln1>lo. Mr. G. C. White directs all work of this 

 character. 



During the past year work of this kind was done in the Salt River 

 Valley of Arizona, at Turlock, Calif., at Spokane for the entire 

 Noi-thwest, and at Brawley, Calif., for the Imperial Valley. 



FOOD PRODUCTS INSPECTION SERVICE. 

 FRUITS AND ^EGETABIJ:S. 



Food products inspection offices were maintained during the past 

 fiscal year in an average of 30 important markets. The service was 

 discontinued in four of the less important markets and new offices 

 were opened in Columbus and Milwaukee. A total of 1C4 markets 

 were designated as inspection points, most of these being served by 

 inspectors stationed in the branch offices at the important central 

 markets. About 15,000 inspections were made during the year. 

 Mr. W. M. Scott and Mr. C. T. ^More supervised this work during the 

 past fiscal year. 



Auiendments to the authority under which the inspection serv- 

 ice is conducted, which became effective October 1, 1918, made the 

 ser\'ice available not only to shippers but to receivers, railroads, and 

 other persons financially interested. Amendments also provided that 

 a fee should be charged for each inspection. 



Shippers in all parts of the country are using the service with in- 

 creasing frequency, and receivers in the markets in which inspectors 

 are located avail themselves of it very generally. The railroads 

 also are making a more general use of its facilities, and in some mar- 

 kets try to secure an inspection certificate on each car or each lot of 

 fruits and vegetables regarding the quality or condition of which 

 there appears to be a question and a likelihood of a future claim. 

 The heaviest demand for inspections has existed in the Eastern and 

 Middle States. 



During the first half of the fiscal year close cooperation was nuiin- 

 tained Avith the United States Food Administration. Its Federal, 

 State, and local administrators used the inspection certificates con- 

 tinually since they found them a necessary basis for adjusting a large 

 number of claims between shippers and receivers. Work of a coop- 

 erative and advisoi^y nature also was conducted with the Army and 



