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Of these, twenty-one originated with Congress, twenty with the President and executive departments, and nine with the commission itself. No detailed description of the methods of investigation can be given to apply to all the investigations, because they vary so much. Not only are the circumstances in different industries so different as to necessitate varied treatment, but the scope of the investigations varies also. Some last a few months while others have taken several years for completion. Two general methods are followed to secure facts. One is by means of schedules and questionaires supplemented by the work of accountants and agents in the field, who examine the records of the corporations and compile data from them. The other is by means of public hearings where testimony is taken to supplement, correlate, and make

clear the facts recited in some of the documentary evidence.

Perhaps the most important and far-reaching investigation yet made by the commission was that made of foodstuffs. On February 7, 1917, the President directed the commission in coöperation with the Department of Agriculture "to investigate and report facts relating to the production, ownership, manufacture, storage and distribution of foodstuffs . . to ascertain the facts bearing on alleged violations of the antitrust acts, and particularly whether there are manipulations, controls, trusts, combinations, conspiracies or restraints of trade out of harmony with the law or public interest." Congress made a special appropriation for this purpose. The investigation covered primarily four branches of industry, namely, meat, flour, canned foods, and trading in grain. The commission made extensive reports on each, that on the meat packers being in six volumes. In this instance, as happened after several other investigations of the commission, the information disclosed led to action on the part of the AttorneyGeneral under the anti-trust acts.

Supervision of Export Trade Associations. Among the economic activities of the commission is the supervision of the export trade associations formed under the Webb-Pomerene Act. So far this work has been relatively of minor character but it is growing in importance. Up to June 30, 1921, forty-eight associations comprising approximately one thousand concerns have taken advantage of the law permitting them to coöperate for purposes of export trade. The law requires each to file with the commission statements giving detailed information regarding the association. If the commission believes that an export trade association has committed an act or made an agreement in restraint of trade within the United States, or which is in restraint of the export trade of any domestic competitor, or which artificially depresses prices within the United States, it must then investigate that association. If the investigation shows that the law has been violated, the commission may recommend a readjustment of the bus

iness to conform to the law. Where an association fails to comply with the recommendation, the commission is required to refer its findings and recommendations to the Attorney General for such action as he may deem proper.

Section 4 of the Export Trade Act extends the general prohibition of unfair methods of competition to the export trade even though the acts complained of have been done outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The Departments of State and Commerce, as well as individuals, have lodged complaints charging unfair practices in foreign countries by commercial interests of this country toward each other. The basis of these complaints is usually information that has been gathered by our consular service, and transmitted by the State and Commerce Departments to the Federal Trade Commission with the request that they be investigated.

CHAPTER III

ORGANIZATION

There are three primary divisions of the Federal Trade Commission. They are:

I. Administrative Division

2. Legal Division

3. Economic Division

Administrative Division. The Administrative Division includes all sections carrying on the general business of the commission and the small divisions which perform the minor functions.

Of the 325 employees of the commission on July 1, 1921, 129 were in this division. There are fourteen subdivisions: I. The commission, consisting of the five Commissioners, the Secretary of the commission, and a clerk-secretary for each Commissioner.

2. The Secretary's office consisting of six clerks. Of these employees one is clerk to the commission who with the Secretary attends all commission meetings and conferences. The Secretary is the custodian of the minutes, of all confidential papers, and of the seal of the commission; he signs all orders of the commission in formal docket cases and intra-office orders to all chiefs of divisions and employees. The clerks in this office attend to the writing up of minutes, preparation of answers to all inquiries from the general public and interested parties with reference to the status of formal and informal proceedings. They are also responsible for the service of all formal complaints and orders, and for notices of assignments of trial to interested parties in formal proceedings. It is the duty of this office also to arrange for re

porting of all formal proceedings before the commission. This office is also responsible for certification of copies of formal records to the different circuit courts of appeal and to the United States Supreme Court, and of such documents as are requested by the public or other departments of the government.

3. The Personnel Section, in charge of all matters relating to appointments, promotions, demotions, transfers, changes in designation, and the relationship between the commission and the Civil Service Commission. It is composed of five clerks under the special agent, who is chief of the section.

4. The Docket Section, composed of eleven clerks. This section is somewhat comparable to the office of a clerk of a court. All applications for the issuance of complaints pass through the section; it files all correspondence, exhibits, and field and office reports in connection with the applications. It keeps the current docket record for the inspection of the public.

5. The Chief Clerk's Office, in charge of building and quarters, purchase of supplies and equipment, and supervision of the messenger, mechanical and laboring forces. There are twenty-eight employees.

6. The Publications Section, in charge of all matters having connection with the Public Printer and the Superintendent of Documents. In this section are handled the distribution of publications, maintenance of mailing lists, preparation of multigraph, mimeograph and photostat duplication work, and all of the clerical work necessary in keeping the records of this branch of the commission's activities. There are eighteen employees in this section.

7. The Disbursing Office, consisting of seven employees under the auditor and having charge of the fiscal affairs. 8. The Stenographic Section, composed of thirteen employees who do the stenographic and typewriting work for all the force.

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