32 MISC. PUBLICATION 604, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Evidence of the extent of service rendered to the industry from the Washing- 
ton office of the Department and the five branch offices located in New York City, 
Chicago, Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Tex., and Winter Haven, Fla., is obtained 
from the fact that 2,900 complaints were handled during the fiscal year 1956. 
Of these complaints, 859 were personally investigated. By the end of the year, 
2,208 cases were closed, which resulted in amicable settlements amounting 
to approximately $976,000 and 214 formal reparation awards totaling about 
$300,000. 
It is obvious that such service to the fruit and vegetable industry could not be 
given under the act without grades and standards and inspection. Contracts 
between shippers and receivers ordinarily specify a certain grade of a product and 
the information given on shipping-point and receiving-market inspection cer- 
tificates usually furnish the evidence necessary for final settlement of many dis- 
putes. The importance of the inspection service as an aid in enforcing the PAC 
Act is further emphasized by the fact that section 14 of the act includes authority 
for making inspections, and specifies that the official inspection certificates shall 
be accepted as prima facie evidence in all courts of the United States. 
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