90 THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



When a dispute arises between the parties to a future con- 

 tract as to the grade, quahty, or length of staple of cotton 

 tendered, either party may appeal to the Secretary of Agri- 

 culture for a determination of the question. In such cases, 

 a fair sample of each bale of cotton involved in the dispute 

 is forwarded to Washington or other designated point, by 

 the complainant, together with the suitable marks of identi- 

 fication, a statement of the question at issue in the case of 

 each bale, and other detailed information regarding the 

 transaction.-^ An answer may be filed by the respondent 

 within three days after the filing of the complaint. This 

 time may be extended by the Secretary where good cause is 

 shown. A copy of each complaint, answer, certificate or 

 affidavit must be served upon the adverse party. Either 

 party may request an oral hearing or other inquiry. The 

 answer signed by the respondent or agent must admit or 

 deny each allegation of the complaint, and must give full 

 information regarding the disputed points. Both the com- 

 plaint and the answer must state whether the parties have 

 agreed upon samples to be submitted to the Secretary of 

 Agriculture, and if some have and some have not been 

 agreed upon, the marks identifying each bale in dispute, the 

 sample of which has been agreed upon. Either party may 

 submit samples. If the examiners are not satisfied with sam- 

 ples submitted they may demand others drawn from any or 

 all of the bales involved in the transaction by some disinter- 

 ested party. When all hearings have been held and the sam- 

 ples finally graded and classified, a copy of the findings upon 

 any dispute is promptly served upon each party, either per- 

 sonally or by mail. 



The costs for the determination of any dispute are based 

 on a minimum charge of thirty cents per bale, with a total 

 minimum cost of five dollars for each dispute. The costs 

 so fixed may be assessed against either party, or aiii)ortioned 

 against both, as the Secretary of Agriculture may find to be 



21 Rules and ReRulations under the U. S. Cotton Futures Act of 

 Aug. II, 1916, Office of the Secretary, Circular no. 64, pp. 6-16. 



