to the study and investigation of live-stock conditions through travel, interviews, and correspondence, as is now done for field crops.

(16) Checking and releasing live-stock reports. It is recommended that all live-stock estimates be checked by all available data of an absolute nature, by independent sources of information, and by separate groups of correspondents reporting to the Washington office and to the live-stock statisticians in the field, and that the data be summarized and published under the same safeguards as are now provided for crop statistics, in order to insure that the information shall be made public to all concerned at the same moment.

MARKET MOVEMENTS AND STOCKS.

The subcommittee on market movements and stocks reports that complete, accurate, unbiased, dependable, and time statistics on the production, storage, marketing, and movements of agricultural products are absolutely essential for the guidance of farmers and business men, for constructive program of production and marketing, and as a basis for wise legislation and economic adjustments.

(17) It is recommended that statistics be collected and published periodically by the Department of Agriculture, daily, weekly, monthly, or annually, depending on the nature of the product, season, and region, showing current and prospective movements and stocks in storage at market centers and en route of the merchantable surplus of each important crop and class of live stock, and of the products derived therefrom, out of the county where grown or manufacturing center where processed and between cities, whether by rail, water, or highway; also the same information with reference to exports and imports; the same, so far as practicable, to show points of origin and destinations.

(18) It is recommended that statistics likewise be collected and published periodically showing the stocks of agricultural products on farms by States and areas of principal production.

(19) It is recommended that all data on market movements and stocks of agricultural products should, so far as practicable, show the quantities by recognized classes and grades for each product, and the shrinkage, deterioration, and loss in transit and in storage.

(20) It is recommended that in connection with the biennial census of manufacturers a census also be taken of the number of warehouses, including elevators, and their storage capacities, and stocks of agricultural products by kinds, classes, and grades in public and private warehouses and commercial establishments upon forms prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture, and that e results be published of same as promptly as possible. The biennial census report also to show the quantity of production, annual sales, and stocks on hand of fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and farm machinery, implements, and equipment of different kinds.

(21) It is recommended that statistics be collected showing the number of live stock slaughtered by kinds and classes so as to show the monthly and annual slaughter of grown males and females and young stock; that these data include all commercial slaughter, whether inspected or uninspected, and farm slaughter.

(22) It is recommended that, based upon the comprehensive statistics of market movements of live stock, a committee be established

at each of the important live-stock market centers for the purpose of aiding the stabilization of live-stock market movements and prices, said committee to comprise a representative of the Department of Agriculture, a representative of the buying interests, a representative of the live-stock commission men, and a representative of the livestock producers and shippers, such committee to be initiated by the Department of Agriculture and to issue from market centers timely informatiaon and warnings to live-stock producers and shippers as to unusual market movements, conditions, and demands, so as to prevent, so far as possible, fluctuating receipts at markets and the consequent loss to producers.

FARM AND MARKET PRICES.

(23) Farm and market prices. It is recommended that statistics be collected and published periodically by the United States Department of Agriculture showing the prices received by producers for crop, live stock, and live-stock products; the prices paid for different classes of farm lands and their total value; the prices farmers pay for hired labor, seed, fertilizers, machinery, equipment, and supplies; and the wholesale and retail prices of principal agricultural products by classes and grades at important market and consuming

centers.

(24) Census wholesale prices of farm machinery and supplies.It is recommended that the annual average wholesale prices of fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides, farm machinery, implements, and supplies be reported by the Bureau of the Census in connection with the biennial census of manufactures.

(25) Price factors. It is recommended that statistics concerning factors influencing prices and values of farm products be collected and published periodically.

(26) Analysis, correlation, and interpretation.-It is recommended that statistics of production, market movement, stocks, and prices be analyzed and correlated with statistics of population, consumption, present and prospective supply and demand, and other factors influencing production, consumption, and prices; that series of index numbers be established and maintained to show relationships and trends; and that the results of statistical studies be summarized in text, and interpreted and illustrated by means of maps, graphs, and diagrams so as to set forth essential and significant facts in striking and readily understandable form.

(27) Foreign statistics.-Inasmuch as the prices of agricultural products in the United States are influenced by the relative world supply and demand, it is recommended that statistics of crop and live-stock production, consumption, imports and exports, supply and demand, surpluses and deficits, be made available by the United States Department of Agriculture as far as may be practicable for all countries.

(28) International Institute of Agriculture at Rome.-In order to facilitate the prompt collection of more and better agricultural statistics in foreign countries, it is recommended that Congress make the necessary appropriation to strengthen the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome and to enable the United States to be represented by a competent permanent delegate at the institute, and by a

strong delegation at the biennial meetings of the general assembly of the institute.

(29) Agricultural attachés.-In order to supplement and further strengthen the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome and to obtain essential information relating to agriculture and trade in agricultural products in foreign countries, including prices and the transmission by cable of information as to material changes in crop and market conditions and situations, it is recommended that the United States Department of Agriculture employ trained agricultural attachés in principal countries of surplus production in competition with the United States and in principal countries of deficient production which afford a market for the surplus farm products of the United States.

(30) Cooperation. It is strongly recommended that the various executive departments of the Federal Government and their representatives abroad shall cooperate fully and effectively to avoid unnecessary duplication of work and expense and to make the public service as efficient as possible.

(31) Dissemination of crop and marke: information. It is recommended that the United States Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies, publish with the utmost promptness and as widely as practicable official crop, livestock, market, and price data, both domestic and foreign, through daily, weekly, annual, and special reports, through the daily and weekly press, and by telegraph and radio service.

(32) The committee wishes to commend the voluntary crop reporters of the United States Department of Agriculture for their public-spirited service in furnishing crop and live stock data in the past, and further suggests and urges that the value of the statistical service of the United States Department of Agriculture is dependent largely upon the cooperation of producers and others who supply full and prompt information in response to questionnaires addressed to them by the department.

(33) Reviews of commodity conditions.-It is recommended that the United States Department of Agriculture publish frequent reviews of crop, live stock, and market conditions and situations, prepared by thoroughly competent men, in which shall be assembled in brief and simple but comprehensive form, illustrated by charts and diagrams intelligible to producers, all the factors bearing upon the present or future supply, demand, and prices of each principal crop, class of live stock, or agricultural commodity.

(34) Dates of statstical reports and forms of questionnairs.This committee has noted that at times acts of Congress providing for the collection and dissemination of statistics prescribed specific dates for renumeration or issue of reports which while effective in some years are not satisfactory in other years, and further that at times the details of questionnaires are prescribed by law. It is the judgment of this committee that all such matters as dates and the details of questionnaires are matters which could to advantage be left to administrative departments of the Government so that they may easily be adjusted to suit the needs as they arise.

(35) Adequate salaries for statisticians.-We further note the extremely low salaries paid statisticians which call for constant changes resulting in lack of continuity and efficiency desired. We

urgently request the more liberal payment of skilled statisticians in order to build up a more efficient and permanent staff required to furnish the data we need.

(36) This committee further concurs in the recommendations of the Joint Commission of Agricultural Inquiry in its report on the agricultural crisis and its causes, favoring the enlargement and development of the statistical service of the United States Department of Agriculture, particularly along the lines of procurement of better live-stock statistics, and by the employment of agricultural attachés in foreign countries.

(37) In order that the constructive work of this National Agricultural Conference may not go for naught, it is earnestly recommended that the various agricultural, commodity, and trade organizations interested and representatives of the press urge upon the public and upon Congress the necessity for making effective the recommendations of this and other committees.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE NO. 7, MARKETING OF FARM PRODUCTS.

COOPERATIVE MARKETING.

This committee strongly indorses and recommends the cooperative marketing of farm products. As a factor in marketing it eliminates unnecessary costs, undue speculation, and waste involved in the assembling, grading, handling, storing, distribution, and marketing of farm products, so that these products may be distributed at prices which are fair and reasonable both to the producers and the consumers.

The recognized form of cooperative action in business which has resulted in the great industrial development in this country through the coordination, consolidation, and concentration of capital and management is not suited to the conditions prevailing in the agricultural industry. The economies and benefits both of a private and public nature arising from collective action should be made available to those engaged in agriculture to the same extent as they are available to those engaged in other industries where corporate organization on a large scale is feasible. Laws have been framed primarily with reference to such industrial organizations and are not adapted to the requirements of organized producers of agricultural products desiring to avail themselves of the benefits arising from acting collectively in the handling, processing, and distribution of their products.

We further urge that Congress promptly enact affirmative legislation which will permit farmers to act together in associations, corporate or otherwise, with or without capital stock, for purposes connected with the production, processing, preparing for market, handling, and marketing in interstate commerce such products of persons so engaged with specific statements of their rights, powers, remedies, and limitations, and which will permit such associations to have marketing agencies in common and to make such contracts and agreements as are necessary to effect such purposes.

PRICE FIXING IN THE MARKETING SYSTEM.

Prices to producers are determined by one of three methods of selling: (a) Individual bargaining, (b) selling by associations, (c) governmental guaranties or purchases.

The farmer is entitled to look to governmental agencies for comprehensive and accurate information, in order that selling judgments may be better formed, and for the largest measure of ready credit compatible with sound finance methods, in order that there may be the utmost freedom of selection of time and price.

The committee feels in respect to the naming of selling prices by the joint action of members through cooperative associations, that Congress should clarify present Federal statutes by an affirmative declaration that such action by cooperative associations is not included in the prohibitions against restraint of trade.

With respect to the question of governmental price guaranties, we feel that there should be a comprehensive study of this subject; therefore we urge that the Congress cause a careful investigation of this whole problem to be made by some proper authority which will report its findings as early as practicable.

PRICE ADJUSTMENT.

Agriculture is necessary to the life of the Nation; and, whereas, the prices of agricultural products are far below the cost of production, so far below that relatively they are the lowest in the history of our country; therefore, it is the sense of this committee that the Congress and the President of the United States should take such steps as will immediately reestablish a fair exchange value for all farm products with that of all other commodities.

ORDERLY MARKETING.

Orderly marketing which represents the even distribution of the Nation's farm products in response to the demands of the trade and of the consumer is basic in giving the farmer a fair price for his crops or products. The individual farmer is not competent to handle or even to influence this question. Neither the volume of his product nor his individual financial resources enable him to influence the distribution of a commodity as a whole, and he is generally unable to provide the facilities needed to finance, warehouse, or sell his seasonally produced crops at the right period of time. Only through cooperative farmers' agencies can these basic matters of distribution, financing, warehousing, and sale be effectively provided. It is in the general interest of all classes of the people that farm products be marketed in a systematic, orderly manner, with adequate provision of all facilities involved.

The fundamental requirements for orderly marketing include the organization of producers on a commodity basis in order that large dependable quantities of standardized farm products may be offered for sale with speculation and all unfair and dishonest practices in distribution reduced to a minimum. This distribution and sale should be based on information of the domestic and foreign supply, and of its location, systematized, both seasonally and geographically.