Approval was given to the recommendation of the committee on technical standards that one color-red-be reserved to indicate those details shown on air navigation maps which are of paramount interest to aviators, this color to be used either for the direct printing of a symbol, as in the case of the different classes of landing fields, or as an overprint to emphasize a symbol printed in black, such as a marine lighthouse or lightship; that yellow be used to indicate areas of cities and large towns, and that each dash and space in the symbol used to indicate the course should represent a definite unit of distance. FEDERAL RADIO COMMISSION A persistent effort has been made by the Federal Radio Commission, through the issuance of general orders and regulations, to standardize operations of all types of radio transmitting stations in order to insure the adaptation of radio to the most diversified and useful public services. On August 30, 1928, the commission issued General Order 40, reaffirming its policy of assigning the channels between 550 and 1,500 kilocycles for broadcasting only, requiring a standard separation_of 10 kilocycles between these frequencies. This general order also reaffirmed the protection of the Canadian broadcast frequencies by declaring that no stations of the United States would be placed on the six cleared channels accorded to Canada and also the commission's policy of not assigning stations of more than 500 watts to the Canadian shared channels. This general order also effected a long contemplated reallocation of the broadcasting stations of the United States in an effort to insure improved reception in all sections of the country and an adequate distribution of broadcasting facilities to the five zones and the States therein as directed by the amendment to the radio act of 1927, approved in March, 1928. In the broadcasting band the commission allows a deviation of only one-half kilocycle from the assigned frequency. To meet this stringent requirement, broadcasting stations are being required to install modern control equipment which eliminates heterodynes and cross talk. The commission has invoked a rule requiring all broadcasting stations to give absolute priority to radio communications or signals relating to ships or aircraft in distress, and to cease broadcasting on such frequencies which may in any way interfere with reception of radio distress signals. Standardization of the channels above 1,500 kilocycles has been completed and notable results accomplished. Adjacent frequencies assignable to transmitting stations are separated approximately by two-tenths of 1 per cent. In order to obtain uniform results the commission has ordained that A visual broadcasting channel shall not be more than 100 kilocycles in width. A commercial telephone channel below 3,313 kilocycles shall be regarded as 6 kilocycles in width. A relay broadcasting channel between 6,000 and 9,600 kilocycles shall be regarded as 20 kilocycles in width. To lessen interference, the commission promulgated a general order, effective January 1, 1929, providing that on and after that date no license will be issued for the operation of any radio station (other than ship stations) having a transmitter employing damped wave emissions. Such transmitters, including spark sets, are being replaced with apparatus employing continuous waves or modulated continuous wave emissions. This order was amended and extended on September 13, 1929, to include the following language: At all ship stations using damped waves the logarithmic decrement per complete oscillation in the wave trains emitted by the transmitter shall not exceed twotenths, except when sending distress signals or signals and messages relating thereto. The commission on May 20, 1929, ordered that all licenses for experimental stations, including experimental relay broadcasting, experimental visual broadcasting, general experimental and experimental aircraft stations, be issued for one year, instead of three months as heretofore. All such experimental stations may be used for experimental purposes only. They are not licensed to conduct message traffic of any kind. A suitable economical and comprehensive plan for radio requirements of aviation has been adopted. To coordinate the use of radio facilities as an aid to aviation and to secure a maximum of flexibility, certain frequencies were set aside solely for aviation. The commission has followed an unwritten rule to a large extent, refusing to license point-to-point stations for communication purposes except to individuals or corporations who assume a public-utility obligation as common carriers to serve the entire public. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION The Federal Trade Commission does not directly fix standards. Its primary purpose is to eliminate unfair methods of competition in business. But by defining these unfair methods and through its efforts in stamping them out, the commission is gradually raising the standards of fair business practice. In addition to the formal orders and stipulations now covering 11 volumes, further mention should be made of the trade practice conference. A division was established in 1926 to coordinate the activities of these conferences. Altogether 68 conferences have been held since the institution of this procedure in 1919 and more than 300 rules of practice have been adopted. A new edition of the pamphlet Trade Practice Conferences explains this procedure, lists the industries for which conferences have been held, and reports the rules adopted at each of them. Operating under section 5 of its organic act, it has developed, during the 11 years of its existence, a well-defined meaning of the term "unfair competition. "Section 5, in part, reads: That unfair methods of competition in commerce are hereby declared unlawful. The commission is hereby empowered and directed to prevent persons, partnerships, or corporations, except banks and common carriers subject to the acts to regulate commerce, from using unfair methods of competition in commerce. Whenever the commission shall have reason to believe that any such person, partnership, or corporation has been or is using any unfair method of competition in commerce, and if it shall appear to the commission that a proceeding by it in respect thereof would be to the interest of the public, it shall issue and serve upon such person, partnership, or corporation a complaint stating its charges in that respect, and containing a notice of a hearing * * *. If upon such hearing the commission shall be of the opinion that the method of competition in question is 88079-30-7 prohibited by this act, it shall make a report in writing, in which it shall state its findings as to the facts, and shall issue and cause to be served on such person, partnership, or corporation an order requiring such person, partnership, or corporation to cease and desist from using such methods of competition. The commission's findings and orders now comprise nine volumes. Nearly 800 formal orders to cease and desist have been issued. Among the methods of competition thus far condemned are the following: Misbranding of fabrics and other commodities respecting the materials or ingredients of which they are composed, their quality, origin, or source. Adulteration of commodities, misrepresenting them as pure or selling them under such names and circumstances that the purchaser would be misled into believing them to be pure. Bribery of buyers or other employees of customers and prospective customers to secure new customers or induce continuation of patronage. The payment of bonuses by manufacturers to salesmen of jobbers and retailers to procure their special services in selling their goods, and making unduly large contributions of money to associations of customers. Procuring breach of competitors' contracts for the sale of products by misrepresentation or by other means. Procuring the business or trade secrets of competitors by espionage, by bribing their employees, or by similar means. Inducing employees of competitors to violate their contracts or enticing away employees of competitors in such numbers or under such circumstances as to hamper or embarrass them in business. Making false or disparaging statements respecting competitor's products, their business, financial credit, etc. The use of false or misleading advertisements. Making vague and indefinite threats of patent infringement suits against the trade generally, the threats being couched in such general language as not to convey a clear idea of the rights alleged to be infringed, but nevertheless causing uneasiness and fear in the trade. Widespread threats to the trade of suits for patent infringement arising from the sale of alleged infringing products of competitors, such threats not being made in good faith but for the purpose of intimidating the trade. False claims to patents or misrepresenting the scope of patents. Intimidation for the purpose of accomplishing enforced dealing by falsely charging disloyalty to the Government. Tampering with and misadjusting the machines sold by competitors for the purpose of discrediting them with purchasers. Trade boycotts or combinations of traders to prevent certain wholesale or retail dealers or certain classes of such dealers from procuring goods. Passing off products or business of one manufacturer for those of another by imitation of products, dress of goods, or by simulation of advertising or of corporate or trade names. Unauthorized appropriation of the results of a competitor's ingenuity, labor, and expense, thereby avoiding costs otherwise necessarily involved in production. Preventing competitors from procuring advertising space in newspapers or periodicals by misrepresenting their standing or other misrepresentation calculated to prejudice advertising mediums against them. Misrepresentation in the sale of stock of corporation. Selling rebuilt machines of various descriptions, rebuilt automobile tires, and old motion-picture films slightly changed and renamed as and for new products. Harassing competitors by fake requests for estimates on bills of goods, for catalogues, etc. Giving away of goods in large quantities to hamper and embarrass small competitors, and selling goods at cost to accomplish the same purpose. Sales of goods at cost, coupled with statements misleading the public into the belief that they are sold at a profit. Bidding up the price of raw materials to a point where the business is unprofitable for the purpose of driving out financially weaker competitors. The use by monopolistic concerns of concealed subsidiaries for carrying on their business, such concerns being held out as not connected with the controlling company. Intentional appropriation of converting to one's own use of raw materials of competitors by diverting shipments. Giving or offering to give premiums of unequal value, the particular premiums received to be determined by lot or chance, thus in effect setting up a lottery. Any and all schemes for compelling wholesalers and retailers to maintain resale prices on products fixed by the manufacturer. Combinations of competitors to enhance prices, maintain prices, bring about substantial uniformity in prices or to divide territory or business. The foregoing might be cited as methods or standards of trade practices that have arisen in commerce and which may not be indulged in without violating the law. A unique feature of the commission's work having the same objectelimination of unfair methods of competition-is the trade practice conference. This provides a method of procedure whereby those engaged in an industry or business may formulate, under the direction and sanction of the commission, their own rules of business conduct. The origin of this procedure is found in an effort made several years ago to eliminate simultaneously, and by consent of those engaged in a given industry, practices which, in the opinion of the industry as a whole, were harmful, wasteful, or unfair. This procedure has proven an expeditious and economical means of eliminating the use of unfair methods of competition from industry by assembling in conference representatives of a given industry, who, under the direction of the commission, define and on a given date voluntarily and simultaneously abandon the use of such method, thereby putting all competitors on an equal footing. In addition it induces moral support and actual assistance from the industry in the enforcement of the rules which the industry adopts. The first of these conferences was held in 1919, and since then 24 more have been held, covering the following industries: Gold-plated finger rings, paper, creamery, rebuilt typewriters, butter, pyroxylin plastics, package macaroni, knit goods, oil, Sheffield silver hollow plated ware, gold-mounted knives, gold-filled watchcases, sheet music, subscription book publishers, band instruments, engraved effects printing, anti-hog-cholera serum virus, mending cotton, furniture, watchcase, butter, egg, cheese, and poultry. A conference was also held on the subject of guaranty against decline in price. The action taken at each of these conferences is summarized by the commission and circulated among members of the respective trades. In many respects the resolutions adopted bear resemblance to codes of ethics which have been adopted by trade associations. The actions taken are in no sense binding either upon the commission or any members of the trade. Nevertheless, the commission gives great weight to the opinions expressed, and the conferences, as a whole, are unusually effective in ridding industry of pernicious trade practices which the individual business man himself could not afford to drop if his competitors continued to use them. Early in 1926 a division was established to extend and enlarge the scope of future conferences and to furnish a means whereby agreements once entered into might be kept in effect and to give better attention to violations. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE The standardization of accounting forms and procedures used throughout the Government service has been actively pursued by the General Accounting Office and during the period mentioned the following standard forms and procedures have been prescribed: Standard Forms 1012, 1012a, 1012b, and 1012c, Public voucher for reimbursement of travel and other expenses; revision of. On March 1, 1929, amended standardized travel regulations were made effective throughout the Government service by order of the President of the United States. In order to cover the additional evidence required by law and the amended regulations, and to produce certain facts in each case regarded as necessary to a proper audit of travel accounts, a revision of Standard Forms 1012, 1012a, 1012b and 1012c was undertaken and the revised forms were promulgated by Supplement No. 2 to General Regulations, No. 36, dated May 3, 1929. Standard Form 1038, Application for advance of funds under provision of subsistence expense act of 1926, upon security of retirement-fund deductions. Pursuant to the provisions of Treasury Department Circular 369, revised, dated February 1, 1929, authorizing advances of public funds by disbursing officers to persons traveling on public business under the subsistence expense act of 1926, upon the security of retirement deductions standing to the credit of such persons, a special standard form (No. 1038a) was prescribed by Supplement No. 1 to General Regulations, No. 59, dated February 28, 1929, on which travelers must make application for the advance and consent to the deduction of any amount found due and refundable from amounts to their credit in the civil service retirement and disability fund. Standard Form 1051a, Flight certificate and schedule. Supplemental to Standard Form 1051, prescribed by General Regulations, No. 64, January 3, 1928, for use in support of payments of flying pay to officers and enlisted men of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, a special form of schedule (Standard Form 1051a) was approved and published on October 31, 1928, to be used, if desired, where payments are made to a number of enlisted fliers in any accounting period, thereby simplifying the existing standardized procedure and saving considerable paper work. Standard Forms 1057 and 1057a, Pay voucher for six months' death gratuity pay. Standard Forms 1057 and 1057a were approved by General Regulations, No. 68, on August 4, 1928, for use in making payment of six months' death gratuity pay to beneficiaries of officers, enlisted men, and nurses of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard under the acts of December 17, 1919, and June 4, 1920, as amended, in lieu of separate forms which previously had been approved for each of the above services. Standard Form 1058, Bill of lading (original). Standard Form 1058a, Bill of lading (memorandum). Standard Form 1060, Temporary receipt. Standard Form 1061, Certificate in lieu of lost bill of lading. Standard Form 1062, Extra or continuation sheet for each of the above forms. Standard forms as above, covering the contract of carriage of Government-owned property by transportation companies, were approved and promulgated by General Regulations, No. 69, August 24, 1928, in lieu of similar forms then in use, some of which had never received official approval of the accounting officers. The new bill-of-lading forms contain many improvements over the old forms, the principal one being a provision for use of the forms by contractors in making shipments of Government purchases. They |