Public Law 74–646

That section 1 of the joint resolution entitled “Joint resolution authorizing the Federal Trade Commission to make an investigation with respect to agricultural income and the financial and economic condition of agricultural producers generally”, approved August 27, 1935 (Public Resolution Numbered 61, Seventy-fourth Congress), be, and the same is hereby, amended so as to read as follows:

Federal Trade Commission to investigate and report on subjects designated.

“That the Federal Trade Commission is hereby authorized and directed to investigate and report, at the next session of Congress—

“First.

(1)(1)

The extent of the decline in agricultural income in recent years, including the amount and percentage of such decline;

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“(2)“(2)

The extent of the increases or decreases in recent years in the income of the principal corporations engaged in the sale, manufacturing, warehousing, and/or processing of the principal farm products, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and of the other principal sellers, manufacturers, warehousemen,

Grapes, fresh fruits, and vegetables added.

and/or processors of the principal farm products, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits and vegetables, as compared with the decline in agricultural income, including the amount and percentage of such changes; and

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“(3)“(3)

The proportion of total consumer cost of representative products manufactured or processed from the principal farm products, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits and vegetables, which is represented by the proceeds received by (a) the farmer; (b) the manufacturers, processors, and warehousemen; and (c) the distributors and such principal farm products, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and such representative products manufactured therefrom.

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“Second.

The financial position of the principal corporations engaged in the manufacturing, processing, warehousing, distribution, and marketing of the representative major products manufactured from such farm products, including—

“(1)“(1)

The capitalization and assets of such corporations and the means and sources of the growth of such capitalization and assets;

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“(2)“(2)

The investment, costs, profits, and rates of return of such corporations;

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“(3)“(3)

The salaries of the officers of such companies; and

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“(4)“(4)

The extent to which said corporations avoid income taxes, if at all, and the extent to which officers receiving such salaries paid income taxes thereon.

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“Third.

The extent of concentration of control and of monopoly

Extent of monopoly in manufacturing, marketing, etc., of major farm products, fruits, and vegetables.

in the manufacturing, processing, warehousing, distribution, and marketing of representative major farm products, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits and vegetables, which is maintained or has been obtained by any corporation or other organization, including—

“(1)“(1)

Methods and devices used by such corporations for obtaining

Methods used to control, etc.

and maintaining their control or monopoly of the manufacturing, marketing, processing, warehousing, and distribution of such commodities, and the proportion of any such major farm commodity, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits and vegetables, handled by each of the large units involved; and

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“(2)“(2)

The extent to which fraudulent, dishonest, unfair, intimidating,

Extent to which injurious methods are employed.

and injurious methods are employed in the grading, warehousing, and transportation of such farm products, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits, and vegetables, including combinations, monopolies, price fixing, and manipulation of prices on the commodity exchanges, and by racketeering and so-called auction markets.

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“Fourth.

The extent to which the cooperative agencies have

Extent of cooperative agencies.

entered into the processing, warehousing, and marketing of representative major farm products, and of table and juice grapes, fresh fruits, and vegetables, and the general effects of such cooperative agencies upon the producer and consumer.”

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Sec. 2.

That section 5 of the said joint resolution be, and the same

Authorization increased.

is hereby, amended by striking out the figures “150,000” and inserting the figures “300,000”.

Sec. 3.

That section 6 of the said joint resolution be, and the same is hereby, amended by striking out all thereof and by substituting in lieu of the said section the following:

Sec. 6.

The Federal Trade Commission is directed to present a

Reports to Congress.

Ante, p. 1256.

final report to the Congress in respect to such principal farm products and such representative products manufactured therefrom, together with recommendations for legislation not later than October 1, 1936, and a further report to the Congress in respect to table and juice grapes, fresh fruits, and vegetables, together with recommendations for legislation on or before January 31, 1937, and a final report in respect to the said last mentioned products, together with any further recommendations, not later than May 31, 1937.

“It is hereby further provided that any unexpended balance of

Unexpended balance available.

Ante, pp. 929, 1111.

the appropriation of $150,000 made in the Independent Offices Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 1936 ¹ in accordance with the authority contained in Public Resolution Numbered 61, Seventy-fourth Congress, first session, is hereby made available for like purpose to and including October 1, 1936.”

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