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Annual
Report
of the

FEDERAL
TRADE
COMMISSION
For the Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 1966

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 35 cents (paper cover)

Federal Trade Commission

PAUL RAND DIXON, Chairman
PHILIP ELMAN, Commissioner
EVERETTE MACINTYRE, Commissioner
JOHN R. REILLY, Jr., Commissioner
MARY GARDINER JONES, Commissioner

JOHN V. BUFFINGTON, Assistant to Chairman

JOSEPH W. SHEA, Secretary

PHILIP R. LAYTON, Program Review Officer

JOHN N. WHEELOCK, Executive Director
FRANK C. HALE, Deputy Executive Director
JAMES McI. HENDERSON, General Counsel
EDWARD CREEL, Director of Hearing Examiners
CHARLES A. SWEENY, Director, Bureau of Deceptive Practices
WILLARD F. MUELLER, Director, Bureau of Economics
SAMUEL L. WILLIAMS, Director, Bureau of Field Operations
CHALMERS B. YARLEY, Director, Bureau of Industry Guidance
JOSEPH E. SHEEHY, Director, Bureau of Restraint of Trade
HENRY D. STRINGER, Director, Bureau of Textiles and Furs
WILLIAM P. GLENDENING, Comptroller
JOHN A. DELANEY, Director, Office of Administration
WILLIAM F. JIBB, Director, Office of Information
ii

ERRATUM
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
1966 ANNUAL REPORT
PAGE 41, LINE 20 should read:
“in 1965 exported $1,138,491,571.16
In American products to foreign”

EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Pennsylvania Avenue at Sixth Street Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20580
Field Offices
30 Church Street, New York, N.Y. 10007
Room 486, U.S. Courthouse and Federal Office
Building, 219 South Dearborn Street,
Chicago, Ill. 60604
450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36005, San
Francisco, Calif. 94102
Room 1212, 215 West Seventh Street, Los
Angeles, Calif. 90014
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Federal Office
Building, Government Center, Boston, Mass.
02203
Room 1000, Masonic Temple Building, 333 St.
Charles Street, New Orleans, La. 70130

Room 10511, U.S. Courthouse Building, 515
Rusk Avenue, Houston, Tex. 77061
Room 511, U.S. Courthouse, Seattle, Wash.
98104
Room 1128, Standard Building, Cleveland, Ohio
44113
Room 2806, Federal Office Building, 911
WalnutStreet, Kansas City, Mo. 64106
Room 915, Forsyth Building, 86 Forsyth Street,
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Anderson Building, 450 West Broad Street, Falls
Church, Va. 22046

Field Stations for Textiles and Furs in Addition to the Above Branch Offices
Room 907, 208 North Broadway, St. Louis, Mo.
63102
Room 405, Thomas Building, 1314 Wood
Street,Dallas, Tex. 75202
Room 204, Cutter Building, 327 North Tryon
Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202
Room 231, U.S. Courthouse, Portland, Oreg.
97205

53 Long Lane, Upper Darby, Pa. 19082
18013 Federal Building, 1961 Stout Street,
Denver, Colo. 80202
Room 1631, New Federal Building, 51
SouthwestFirst Avenue, Miami, Fla. 33130

iii

Letter of Transmittal
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION,
Washington, D.C.
To the Congress of the United States:
It is a pleasure to transmit herewith the Fifty-second Annual Report of the Federal Trade
Commission, covering its accomplishments during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1966.
By direction of the Commission.
PAUL RAND DIXON,
Chairman
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.
THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter
Page
I.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II.
The Industry Guidance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
III.
Combating Deception of the Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
IV.
The Fight for Fair Business Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
V.
Wool, Fur, and Textile Acts Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
VI.
Follow Through in Law Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
VII. Legislation Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
VIII. The Role of Economic Studies and Evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
IX.
Field Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
X.
Appropriations and Financial Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
X.
Hearing Examiners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Appendix (A) FTC, Cases in the Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Appendix (B) Textile and Fur Court Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Appendix (C) Bureau of Textiles and Furs Civil Penalty and Criminal Cases . . . . . . . . . . . 81
General Investigations by the Commission since 1915 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
vii

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION
Fiscal 1966 witnessed the growing success of the Federal Trade Commission's recent
policy to provide more guidance to American businessmen on how to comply with the trade
laws as a happy alternative to a patternless attack on violators.
By tackling areas of illegality on as broad a scale and as quickly as the Commission's
resources permitted, it was possible to take advantage of the willingness of most businessmen
to compete fairly provided their competitors did likewise. Offering explicit interpretation
of the laws' requirements and the means for simultaneous abandonment of illegal practices,
the FTC provided leadership to the reputable majority and thereby was able to narrow its
target for formal corrective action to defiant and persistent violators.
One of the year's highlights was the adoption of Tire Advertising and Labeling Guides,
which provide, among other things, that tire marketers and automobile manufacturers should
inform consumers concerning tire load-carrying capacity and related inflation pressures to
assist them in selecting the proper and safe tire for the use intended. They also contain
specific provisions on the subject of plies and ply ratings, cord materials, and racing claims.
Further, the guides cover various types of deceptive advertising claims for price reductions
and savings, as well as deceptive guarantee representations. They further provide that
guarantee adjustments be made on the basis of a price which realistically reflects the actual
selling price of the tire, instead of an artificial, inflated price that, in the past, has given a
purchaser less than the represented value of his guarantee.

1

To pursue the twin objectives of guidance and enforcement required an appropriation of
$13,500,000 to support the work of an 1,145-man staff.
Increased emphasis was given the investigation and correction of practices which
victimize consumers, particularly those of low income and the elderly. During the year, 785
deceptive practice cases (excluding compliance cases) were disposed of as compared with
743 during fiscal 1965. This faster handling was all the more necessary in view of a
mounting workload. The FTC received 45 percent more complaints of deception from
consumers and competitors than during the previous year. In addition, the Commission's
voluntary guidance program required backstopping by formal casework; thus, as the law's
requirements were better illuminated by guides and rules, businessmen and the public became
more aware of FTC’s role in combating deception and invited its attention to law violations
by their competitors. Adding still more to the workload have been compliance checks by the
Commission's staff on how well its industry guides are being observed. For example, it made
a nationwide survey of compliance with its Guides Against Deceptive Pricing and discovered
a substantial number of violations. High priority has been given their correction.
In the important field of food and drug advertising where false or misleading claims exact
a particularly heavy toll on the infirm and the elderly and on families trying to live within
tight budgets, the FTC handled approximately 1,200 applications for complaint during the
year and initiated 180 investigations. Among the special targets were questionable claims
for vitamin and iron preparations, medicated lozenges, hemorrhoid preparations, analgesics,
arthritis and rheumatism preparations, weight reducers, and meat products and freezer plans.
Another area of concentrated effort was the correction of false advertising and improper
selling practices in the $15 billion home improvement field. Some 60 investigations were
initiated during the fiscal year, aimed at such evils as misrepresentation of the cost and
character of residential siding, roofing, windows, paint, etc., and false assurances that
benefits can be gained by permitting use of homes as “models.”
2

The fiscal year also found FTC moving strongly in another broad field of consumers'
protection, namely in their purchase of textiles and furs. To assure that these were properly
labeled called for increasing the number of inspections of manufacturing, wholesaling and
retailing establishments from last year's 11,413 to 12,625 during fiscal 1966. The number
of products spot checked increased substantially, due in part to greater concentration on
larger retailers and manufacturers, particularly hosiery manufacturers.
The year produced a sharp increase over fiscal 1965—from 1,790 to 2,614—in informal
assurances of voluntary compliance that instances of improper labeling, invoicing and
advertising of textiles and furs would be corrected. Significantly, a lower percentage of
deficiencies in relation to products inspected was noted; this reflects the effectiveness of
FTC's educational efforts. It was necessary, however, to initiate 160 new investigations
looking to the issuance of formal cease and desist orders. Fifty such orders were issued, as
well as 51 formal complaints. And for the first time, more formal cases (79) were opened
under the comparatively new Textile Act than under the Wool, the Fur, or the Flammable
Fabrics Acts—a pattern very likely to continue.
In enforcing the Fur Act, emphasis was laid on halting deceptive pricing and
recordkeeping, and by the year's end, violations appeared to have decreased. Attention also
was paid to manufacturers of fur-trim coats and suits inadequately labeled.
More dramatic action came during the spring of 1966 when the FTC moved with speed
and force to stop the sale of highly flammable sweaters, certain imported rayon and metallic
cloth intended for use in ladies' skirts, and silk dress material found to be dangerously
flammable.
Important as was the Commission's direct protection of consumers by halting business
practices that would dupe them, an even greater effort in terms of money and manpower was
made to stop monopolistic schemes which would deprive the American people of the
benefits of fair competition in the marketplace.
With increasing effectiveness, FTC continued to encourage the business community to
comply with the antimonopoly laws while persuading those businesses already violating them
to halt the vio3

lations immediately and without litigation. Thus was the FTC better able to concentrate its
fire on the indifferent and the defiant.
During fiscal 1966, the FTC received 1,450 applications for complaint from businessmen
and the public, and 249 formal investigations involving trade restraints were initiated. Nearly
500 investigations were completed. The FTC issued 94 antimonopoly complaints and 94
orders to cease and desist.
The principal area of difficulty involved discriminatory practices prohibited by the
Robinson-Patman Amendment to the Clayton Act. A total of 375 such cases were disposed
of by informal action during the year, while 72 formal complaints were issued. Sixty-seven
cases were concluded by consent orders, and seven more were issued in contested cases.
Significant, too, is the fact that 39 cases were disposed of on the basis of the proposed
respondent's assurance of voluntary compliance with the law, thus eliminating the need for
costly and time-consuming investigations and proceedings.
A milestone was passed when 55 additional wearing apparel manufacturers signed
consent cease and desist orders. These, together with previously issued consent orders to
become effective on the same date, resulted in over 300 manufacturers of men's, women's,
and children's wearing apparel being henceforth required to make their advertising and
promotional allowances available to all competing customers on proportionally equal terms.
Another significant action was the Commission's launching of an educational and
advisory program looking toward proper cooperative advertising and promotional allowance
programs in the hardback and soft prestige paperback book publishing industry. Reaction
of the American Book Publishers Council was most favorable, and many publishers, after
consultation with FTC staff members, adopted advertising and promotional allowance
programs available to all customers on a nondiscriminatory basis. Voluntary compliance
efforts will continue to be pressed, but if they fail, enforcement procedures will be
undertaken.
In enforcing the general trade restraint provision of the FTC Act, the Commission
launched 107 investigations during the fiscal year, bringing to 254 the number pending at the
years end. These represented active inquiries into the practices of 110 different industries
and their segments. The illegalities challenged included refusal to
4

deal with certain customers, price fixing, boycotts, tie-in sales, and other trade restraints.
And in line with the current policy of promoting voluntary compliance, it was possible to
settle seven of the cases without resorting to litigation.
In enforcing the Celler-Kefauver Anti-Merger Act, the FTC made a dual effort: First, to
provide businessmen with guidance on the requirements of the act so as to avoid, if possible,
the need for litigation; and, second, to concentrate its efforts to do the most good, principally
in industries where competition still had vigor. During fiscal 1966, the FTC initiated 52 and
disposed of 39 informal cases, while it brought 12 formal complaints and issued the same
number of orders to cease and desist.
Continuing its efforts to halt concentration in the dairy industry, the Commission issued
a divestiture order against Beatrice Foods Co. and prohibited future acquisitions by the
company. And in the Commission's effort to arrest a trend toward vertical integration in the
cement industry, it issued consent orders against three companies: Texas Industries, Inc.,
Lone Star Cement Corp., and Ideal Cement Co. Additional cases are pending.
In the food retailing industry, FTC found that certain acquisitions by National Tea Co.
violated the antimerger law and prohibited the company from making any acquisitions in the
food retailing field for 10 years without Commission approval. It also issued an order against
Consolidated Foods Corp. requiring substantial divestiture of grocery store acquisitions. This
order was unique in providing that divestiture could be by outright sale or the assets to be
divested could be transferred to a new corporation the stock of which could be sold to the
public through an underwriter.
Three consent orders were issued in a move to arrest a developing merger trend in the
department store industry. The main thrust of the orders was to prohibit future acquisitions
for a specified period of years without FTC approval.
In defending Commission decisions appealed to the courts by respondents, the General
Counsel handled 112 cases. Litigation was completed in 46 of these, of which 20 were
restraint of trade matters and 12 involved deceptive business practices. The others involved
other matters, such as suits against the Commission for declaratory judgment or injunction.
5

However, what made fiscal 1966 a standout year from the standpoint of the General
Counsel's function were two accomplishments: The FTC obtained Supreme Court
confirmation of its right to seek an injunction from the appellate courts to prevent actions of
respondents which would nullify an FTC order; and also from the Supreme Court
confirmation of a criminal contempt jail sentence of 6 months' imprisonment for the president
of a respondent company for violation of an FTC cease-and-desist order.
The Division of Consent Orders (which functions under the General Counsel), processes
the great majority of FTC formal enforcement proceedings, and during the fiscal year
forwarded to the Commission 124 executed agreements containing consent orders. Forty-one
matters were resubmitted to the Commission for consideration when negotiations failed to
produce agreement. The work of this division is particularly valuable in affording a means
whereby the law is enforced and business is not required to endure expensive, timeconsuming and market-disrupting litigation.
A promising beginning was made by the newly established Office of Federal-State
Cooperation. Not only were the States referring an increasing number of complaints of
interstate character to it (about 1 a day), but the Commission referred 37 complaints to the
States for their investigation and enforcement. The Office also proposed new uniform State
laws dealing with three areas of unfair practice to the Council on State Governments
Committee on Suggested State Legislation.
While the Commission's enforcement bureaus were tackling law violations on whatever
scale was most appropriate to the problem, the Bureau of Industry Guidance was making a
companion effort to obtain compliance with the law by illuminating its requirements.
Through issuance of rules and guides, as well as advisory opinions, the Commission was able
to take fullest advantage of the willingness of most businessmen to keep their practices fair
not only to consumers but to competitors.
Revised trade practice rules for the $3 billion cosmetic and toilet preparations industry
also were promulgated, with particular attention given to the deceptive use of names
suggesting foreign origin for preparations made wholly or in part in the United States. The
revised rules also dealt with discriminatory and deceptive pricing.
6

Other rulemaking proceedings were being advanced as the fiscal year ended. These
included revisions of rules for the watch case industry, and the beauty and barber equipment
and supplies industry, and a public hearing on the practices of firms publishing toy catalogs.
Whether guidance was being ignored was a matter of deep concern to the Commission,
hence compliance surveys were undertaken in several industries. The 400 rule and guidance
compliance matters disposed of on the basis of assurances that the practices in question had
been discontinued was an increase of 41 percent over fiscal 1965.
Important work was accomplished in promulgating Trade Regulation Rules. Of great
public interest was one aimed at deception in describing the size of pictures shown by
television receiving sets. The new rule provides that when size representations are made,
they must be in terms of the actual size of the viewable picture area measured on a single
plane basis. The rule, which becomes effective January 1, 1967, will affect size
representations made for the 11 million TV sets sold annually.
A public hearing has been scheduled on a proposed rule of perhaps even greater
significance inasmuch as it is the first Trade Regulation Rule proceeding dealing with
advertising and promotional allowances under the Robinson-Patman Act. The proposed rule
concerns these matters as they apply to the men's and boys' tailored clothing industry,
involving 450 firms having annual sales exceeding $1 billion.
In addition to preliminary work on several other possible rules, the Bureau of Industry
Guidance also participated with other FTC bureaus in public hearings on alleged
discriminatory pricing practices in the marketing of gasoline, and alleged unlawful mergers
and acquisitions in the cement industry.
Surveys were nearly completed during fiscal 1966 to determine the extent of compliance
with certain Trade Regulation Rules already issued. Results thus far indicate a high degree
of compliance.
Businessmen continued to make ever greater use of advisory opinions. A total of 210
new requests for opinions were received during the year, of which 46 were provided formally
by the Commission and 54 were handled satisfactorily at staff level. In all, 217 matters were
disposed of, with 41 pending at the fiscal year's end. A useful service developed during the
year was making public digests of these
7

advisory opinions whenever possible without disclosure of the identity of the requesting
parties. Even more important, these digests have been instrumental in persuading many
businessmen not to embark upon actions when it became plain the FTC regarded them as
illegal.
The FTC's field staff played an increasingly important role during the fiscal year. Not
only did it complete investigations in 1,079 matters, but it disposed of 124 of them through
the use of voluntary compliance procedures at the investigative stage as soon as it became
apparent that the law had been violated. In addition, 31 cases were settled through the
initiation by field attorneys of consent procedures, thereby removing the need for protracted
and expensive adversary proceedings. However, as this greater utility of the field staff
became apparent, its reward was more work, with the result that its caseload holdover at the
end of 1965 was 568 and the caseload holdover at the end of 1966 was 726 or an increase of
27 percent. This was due primarily to an increase of referrals and a decrease in the number
of attorneys. Referrals to the field staff from the FTC bureaus increased from 1,013 cases
in fiscal 1965 to 1,237 in fiscal 1966.
In addition, the field staff was called upon to conduct special inquiries, including one into
the use of unfair and deceptive practices whereby the poorest financially were being
subjected to excessive charges and credit terms. In this work, the staff cooperated with the
Office of Economic Opportunity and its legal aid centers. Another major investigation
sought information on whether certain mail order insurance companies were misrepresenting
in advertising designed to reach parents of servicemen that their insurance had some
connection with the insurance program of the armed services. Still another major
investigation sought information on whether FTC's Guides Against Deceptive Advertising
were being heeded. More than 200 reports were submitted by the field offices, and from
these, 116 full-scale investigations were ordered.
The field staff also began a survey in 12 metropolitan centers to determine whether the
advertising of reductions in price and savings claims in the sale of automobile tires complied
with FTC's Tire Advertising Guides. This survey was begun during the last 60 days of the
fiscal year and will be continued into fiscal 1967.
An important innovation in the work of the 155 attorneys assigned to field offices was
their assignment to fill a much more active role
8

educating businessmen, consumers, and the general public respecting the laws administered
by FTC, and to aid them in availing themselves of the laws' protection. Speakers were
supplied to college classes, consumer groups, bar associations, trade groups, etc. The field
staff also undertook to establish a closer and more useful relationship with offices of State
attorneys general, local law enforcement officers, Better Business Bureaus, Chambers of
Commerce, and other private and public organizations concerned with proper business
conduct.
In the field of economics, the FTC not only undertook to backstop its adversary actions
with vital information, but it also stood back from case work in order to make a broader
assessment of economic problems facing the Nation.
Its Bureau of Economics completed five major reports, as well as making substantial
progress on other industry studies. It also completed its annual report on merger activity.
Its five reports (covered in more detail in this annual report) dealt with the manufacture
and distribution of automotive tires, mergers and vertical integration in the cement industry,
cents-off promotion in the coffee industry, a report on food retailing, and a report on food
manufacturing.
The Division of Economic Evidence concentrated its efforts on corporate mergers,
examining in depth those that appeared to present a significant threat to competition. Of 600
mergers reviewed, more than 60 were studied in depth during the fiscal year. Among the
industries in which merger activity was most active and given most study were grocery
products, textiles, plastics, machinery, automotive parts, apparel, chemicals, papers,
department stores, and grocery retailing.
In broadest outline the foregoing describes the accomplishments of the FTC in fiscal
1966. It differs from many previous annual reports in that there neither is nor can be a
juxtaposition of accomplishment statistics that reveal how the FTC is serving an ever more
useful purpose. Statistics simply don't tell the true story. The Commission's purpose is not
to bring an even greater number of adversary actions; its function is essentially one of
guidance. And whatever can be done to persuade American business to heed that guidance
is infinitely more important than to exhibit proudly the futile scalps of the too few.

238-586 0–67—2

9

PHOTOGRAPH - -- SEE IMAGE

The FTC held four public hearings during fiscal 1966 dealing with: “cents off” pricing
in the coffee industry; vertical integrations in the cement industry; foreign origin of watches
and related parts; and foreign origin of radios, TV's, phonographs, and home entertainment
products. The above picture is a typical scene when persons appear before the Commission
at the public hearings to express their views.

10

Chapter 11

THE INDUSTRY GUIDANCE
PROGRAM
The industry guidance program achieved a high level of overall effectiveness. This was the result
of a balanced program for furnishing advice to businessmen, coupled with a hard hitting compliance
program which showed a sharp increase in the number of law violations stopped. While compliance
activity was intensified, important results were also produced in other areas of the work. New rules
and guides, as well as advisory opinions, dealt with problems of the utmost significance to both the
consuming public and the business community.
Trade Practice Rules and Guides
Tire Advertising and Labeling Guides were adopted after public hearings were held before the
full Commission. The guides are comprehensive and deal with a variety of tire marketing practices
considered to be unfair or deceptive. Because of the nature of the practices involved and the large
segment of the public affected, the Commission regards these guides as affording consumer
protection in an area in which it is vitally needed.
In the area of tire safety the guides provide, among other things, that tire marketers and
automobile manufacturers inform consumers concerning tire load-carrying capacity and related
inflation pressures to assist them in selecting the proper and safe tire for the use intended. They also
contain specific provisions on the subjects of plies and ply ratings, cord materials, and racing claims.
The guides also deal specifically with various types of deceptive advertising claims of price
reductions and savings, as well as deceptive guarantee representations. They further provide that
guarantee adjustments should be made on the basis of a price which realistically reflects the actual
selling price of the tire. Adjustment of
11

guarantees on the basis of an artificial, inflated price had in the past resulted in the purchaser
receiving less than the represented value of his guarantee.
The new Tire Guides are regarded as an important step in the long history of Commission
actions directed at deceptive practices employed in the marketing of automobile tires.
Revised trade practice rules for the $3 billion cosmetic and toilet preparations industry
also were issued. In revising these rules particular attention was given to the problem
concerning the deceptive use of names suggesting foreign origin for various cosmetic and
toilet preparations wholly or in part of domestic manufacture. The new rule provides for
these names to be accompanied by a clear disclosure that the product was made,
compounded, mixed, blended, or diluted in the United States. Among other subjects dealt
with in the revised rules are discriminatory and deceptive pricing, inducing breach of
contract, and use of lottery schemes.
The trade practice rules for the optical products, and residential aluminum siding
industries also underwent some revision to bring them into conformity with current legal
requirements.
Other rulemaking proceedings looking toward the promulgation of new rules or the
revision of old rules were advanced and in various stages of completion at the close of the
fiscal period. Public hearings were held or scheduled on proposed revisions of the rules for
the watchcase industry and the use of such terms as "waterproof," “shockproof,”
"nonmagnetic," and similar designations as applied to watches, watchcases, and watch
movements, as well as a public hearing on the subject of failing to disclose the foreign origin
of these and related products. A public hearing was also held on the practices of firms
publishing toy catalogs. A trade practice conference was conducted for the iron pipe fittings
and unions industry, and informal conferences held with representatives of several industries
looking toward the initiation of new proceedings or the revision of existing rules or guides.
The rules for the lime and multicolored printers of transparent and transluscent materials
were rescinded.
The compliance program to insure compliance with existing rules and guides continued
to show increasingly effective results. New compliance surveys were initiated under the
trade practice rules for the household furniture industry and the luggage and related
12

products industry and the Guides Against Debt Collection Deception. Similar surveys were
initiated under the Guides Against Deceptive Advertising of Guarantees as applicable to
dishwashers, washing machines, clothes driers, high intensity lamps, roofing materials, and
hi-fi components. The survey previously undertaken under the Guides for Shoe Content
Labeling and Advertising was nearly completed at the end of the year.
The number of rule and guide compliance matters disposed of on the basis of assurances
that the practices in question had been discontinued increased by 41 percent over the
preceding fiscal year. During the year the Bureau disposed of 400 matters in this manner as
compared with 283 the preceding year. Many of these voluntary corrections resulted from
the several compliance surveys previously initiated. For example, 202 matters involving
practices questioned under the shoe guides were disposed of on the basis of appropriate
assurances that the practices had been discontinued. At the close of the fiscal year, 389
matters were pending and receiving attention under the rule and guide compliance program.
More than 1,300 interpretations of rules and guides were given businessmen seeking
advice as to the application of particular provisions to their business practices.
Trade Regulation Rules
A trade regulation rule dealing with deceptive representations as to the size of television
pictures was promulgated. Based on information developed in this rulemaking proceeding
the Commission concluded that the public was deceived when the size of the pictures shown
by television receiving sets was represented in terms of the overall dimensions which are
invariably larger than the dimensions of the actual picture. The rule provides that when size
representations are made they must be in terms of the actual size of the viewable picture area
measured on a single-plane basis. The rule, which becomes effective January 1, 1967, will
affect size representations made for the 11 million television sets sold annually having an
aggregate value of almost $2 billion.
A public hearing has been scheduled on a proposed trade regulation rule concerning the
granting of advertising and promotional allowances by members of the men's and boys'
tailored clothing in13

dustry. This industry comprises some 450 firms whose aggregate sales amount to well over
$1 billion. The proposed rule would presume advertising and promotional allowances to be
unlawful unless made available on proportionally equal terms to all the seller's competing
customers pursuant to and in accordance with all the terms and conditions of a written plan
he has supplied to them.
This is the first trade regulation rule proceeding dealing with the subject of advertising
and promotional allowances under the Robinson-Patman Act.
A public hearing was held on the question of disclosure of the foreign origin of radios,
televisions, phonographs, tape recorders, and their components. The Bureau of Industry
Guidance also participated with other Bureaus of the Commission in public hearings held in
two important areas: Alleged discriminatory pricing practices in the marketing of gasoline,
and alleged unlawful mergers and acquisitions in the cement industry.
Surveys conducted to determine the manner of compliance with the following trade
regulation rules were nearly completed at the end of the fiscal year: Advertising and labeling
of sleeping bags as to size; deceptive use of "leakproof" and other terms as descriptive of dry
cell batteries; deception as to nonprismatic and partially prismatic instruments being
prismatic binoculars; deceptive advertising and labeling as to size of tablecloths; and
deceptive advertising and labeling of previously used lubricating oil. The results of these
surveys show widespread compliance with the requirements of the rules. It is estimated that
approximately 90 percent of the manufacturers of these products were engaged in unlawful
practices prior to the promulgation of the rules. As a result of the rule promulgation and the
interpreting and counseling work which followed, these practices in all known instances were
brought into conformity with the rule provisions. While the full impact of the rules cannot
be evaluated with complete certainty, the number and value of the products to which the
labeling and advertising provisions of the rules apply afford some indication in this regard.
Approximately 1,200 million dry cell batteries valued roughly at $200 million were sold to
consumers by hardware and drug stores as well as other retail outlets; 2,100,000 sleeping
bags worth approximately $22,700,000 were sold by retail establishments; approximately 4
million tablecloths and re14

lated articles worth $40 million were sold to the public; 150 million gallons of reclaimed
used oil worth $20 million were distributed, and an estimated 5,200,000 binoculars and field
glasses worth approximately $16 million were sold through sporting goods stores, department
stores, and similar establishments.
Advisory Opinions
The work of the Division of Advisory Opinions has shown a consistent pattern of year-toyear increase since its inception in June 1962. Fiscal 1966 saw a continuation of this pattern
with a further increase both in the number of requests received and in work output. Two
hundred ten new requests for opinions were received during the year, of which 46 were the
subject of formal advisory opinions by the Commission and 54 were disposed of by staff
level opinions where that method of treatment appeared to be more appropriate. In all, 217
matters were disposed of by Commission or staff action. Forty-one matters were pending for
disposition at the close of the year.
The substance of the advisory opinions requested and rendered during the year continued
to reflect the most sensitive areas of trade regulation enforcement as well as to raise complex
and novel points of law. For instance, franchising is becoming an increasingly prevalent
form of doing business and various forms of franchise agreements have been the subject of
several lawsuits by the antitrust enforcement agencies. This has generated a number of
requests for opinions concerning the legality of contemplated franchise agreements and has
resulted in several Commission opinions where such did not conflict with pending litigation.
So-called tripartite promotional arrangements involving various forms of in-store
promotions devised by independent middlemen and financed by large groups of suppliers
continued to constitute the single largest category of opinions requested.
Questions involving the disclosure of the origin of products imported in whole or in part
from foreign countries were the subject of several new opinions, as were a number of
inquiries concerning the sale of merchandise by means of lotteries or games of chance.
Additionally, the requests called upon the Commission to rule upon the legality of
arrangements for advertising in toy catalogs, the payment of brokerage under the RobinsonPatman Act, the formation
15

and proposed operation of an agricultural cooperative, the formation of an export trade
association and, as always in view of the continuing concern with the growing economic
concentration in American industry, a number of premerger clearance requests.
One of the highlights during the year was the implementation of an earlier Commission
decision to make public digests of its advisory opinions wherever possible without disclosure
of the identity of the requesting parties. This step was taken in response to urgent requests
from businessmen, the trade press and members of the bar and after the Commission had
concluded that the legal guidance contained in its opinions should be made available to the
business community in general rather than just to the individuals who had requested them.
Since this step entailed publication of all possible advisory opinions to date, the staff has
been engaged not only in the preparation of digests of current opinions as they are prepared,
but also in the publication of digests of earlier opinions rendered since the inception of the
program. The total number of digests which had been made public by the end of the year
reached 68 with the remainder scheduled for release early in fiscal 1967, at which time
publication of these digests will be on a current basis.
Many businessmen have advised that the publication of these digests has been
instrumental in persuading them not to embark upon proposed courses of action which they
might otherwise have pursued had not they been made aware of the fact that the Commission
regarded the practices as illegal.
16

Chapter III

COMBATING DECEPTION
OF THE CONSUMER
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the Commission's continuing attack on false
advertising and trickery in the selling of products and services. While such chicanery is still very
much the exception in business ethics, it is an exception that can get out of hand; also, that there is
not more of it is small comfort to its victims.
The enemies of our system of free enterprise are quick to seize upon our problems of dishonesty
and cheating to smear America's image before the rest of the world. Communist propaganda
denouncing capitalism can be trusted to magnify most triumphantly the same evils that the FTC is
attacking.
During fiscal 1966, the Commission received 45 percent more complaints of deception from
consumers and competitors than during the previous year. The reason is not certain; either there was
an increase in deception, or, and more likely, consumers and businessmen, having become
increasingly aware of FTC's purpose and capacity, turned to it for help.
For the Commission's limited staff to cope with the volume of deceptive practice work
confronting it, requires careful planning so that sufficient effort will be expended on those matters
reflecting the highest degree of public interest. After investigation establishes the character and
extent of a problem, an attempt is first made to accomplish correction by informally educating an
industry as to what is illegal and alerting the public on how to avoid being victimized.
The Bureau of Deceptive Practices backstops the guidance approach by searching out any who
choose not to reform voluntarily, and seeks to enforce compliance by compulsory proceedings. For
17

example, the Commission promulgated a set of "Guides Against Deceptive Pricing." These
laid down the ground rules for truthfully using, in advertising, such words and phrases as "list
price," "regularly," "reduced," “comparable value,” "special sale," "two-for-one sale," "½
price," and many more.
During this year, the staff has conducted a nationwide survey of pricing practices to
determine how well these guides are being observed. A substantial number of apparent
questionable practices were detected. Complete investigations, and appropriate further
action, in these matters are being accorded high priority in order that consumers may be
protected against false representations of significant savings.
An investigation was conducted to determine whether consumers were being misled by
the use of "cents-off" pricing in the coffee industry. In many instances, the purported savings
represented by the "cents-off" claims were illusory because the "cents-off" price had become
the regular selling price. At the fiscal year's end, the project had not been concluded, but a
moratorium on the use of this type of practice requested by the Commission resulted in the
problem being substantially alleviated.
Another problem tackled on an industrywide basis was the practice of wholesalers of tents
and other canvas products who furnished to retailers catalogs containing fictitious retail
prices. The retailers used them in making sales to consumers at prices substantially below
the catalog prices, thus misleading the purchaser into thinking he was getting a special
bargain.
The fiscal year also found the FTC taking a close look at franchising programs operating
in various sections of the country. These programs have been developed for a wide range
of products and services, and the investment required ranges from a few hundred dollars to
many thousands. While many offer legitimate opportunities to investors, others misrepresent
the amount to be invested, the time and effort which must be devoted to the business, the
probable earnings, the market for the services or product, and the assistance furnished by the
franchiser.
Housing, being one of the necessities of life, is given a high priority in FTC, and attention
is accorded sales of home improvements, reported to be a $15 billion market. Products
include residential
18

siding, roofing, windows, etc. Experience indicates that there are always some entrepreneurs
who engage in deceptive practices to induce homeowners to purchase their products.
Therefore, the practices of the members of the industry require continuing consideration from
fiscal year to fiscal year, particularly since the identity of the “members” keeps changing.
Some of the deceptive practices relate to false savings claims, bait and switch tactics,
deceptive guarantees and the use of the "model" home pitch by which the purchaser is to
receive a bonus if the showing of his home results in a sale. This "bonus" potential does not
materialize for the purchaser. In fiscal 1966, 60 investigations were initiated.
Economy-minded housewives sewing for themselves and their families deserve protection
in making their once-in-a-lifetime purchase of a sewing machine. The Bureau of Deceptive
Practices has observed highly questionable tactics being employed by some retailers. A
cabinet is offered "free" with the purchase of a sewing machine to "selected" consumers,
when it appears that the price for the machine is that usually charged for the combination.
Representations that persons have been specially selected to receive such an offer frequently
are false--anyone is welcome to buy on such terms. “Bait-and-switch” tactics are employed.
A machine is advertised in glowing terms, at an attractive price. When the customer is
disappointed in her examination of the machine, an effort is made to induce her to buy a
model substantially more expensive.
The Commission has jurisdiction over mail order sales of health, accident and life
insurance when the companies are not registered in the States where they are doing business
so as to be regulated by that State. Practices by some of the companies include
misrepresentation of the coverage provided, terms and conditions of sale and renewability,
and a variety of others. Action to stop such practices was initiated in several cases during
the year and the investigation is continuing.
Retailers located in the District of Columbia are subject to the Federal Trade Commission
Act even though they do not do business across State lines, as is required elsewhere. An
intensive pilot program has been initiated in Washington to eliminate consumer deception
and demonstrate what can be accomplished by concerted effort in other cities. Several
inquiries have been completed and a sub19

stantial number of others are being expedited. The charges under investigation include a
wide range of deceptive practices and are expected to support numerous corrective actions.
Matters having an impact upon the public health are accorded high priority attention. The
advertising of vitamin and mineral preparations to prevent and treat a variety of such
common, vague symptoms as tiredness, fatigue, loss of energy and "feeling old," is especially
attractive to a large share of the population, especially to older persons. It is to be expected
that sales of such products arc estimated to be in the neighborhood of $200 million, and
advertising expenditures $15 million, annually.
The Commission has a dual role to play in connection with the advertising and sale of
cigarettes. It is charged with responsibility for the prevention of unfair methods of
competition and unfair and deceptive practices, as in the case of other products. Congress
has also directed the submission of periodic reports concerning (a) the effectiveness of
cigarette labeling, (b) current practices and methods of cigarette advertising and promotion,
and (c) such recommendations for legislation as it may deem appropriate.
The Bureau of Deceptive Practices is maintaining liaison with the Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare, and other knowledgeable agencies in and out of Government, in
order to meet these responsibilities. All advertising and promotional practices are being
carefully analyzed. To assist in developing additional highly important data, such as the tar
and nicotine content, the Commission has authorized the establishment of a cigarette
smoking laboratory.
During the fiscal year, a number of investigations (industrywide and covering national
sales) were started relating to whether toys were being so packaged as to create a false
impression of the size or quantity of the contents. After completion of this project, it is
anticipated that the packaging of other commodities will be considered where there is
information indicating "slack filling." This is not only misleading to consumers but is unfair
to competitors who are not "slack filling" their packages.
Division of Compliance
This Division has the continuing responsibility of obtaining and maintaining compliance
with cease and desist orders issued to prevent
20

false and deceptive trade practices under sections 5 and 12 of the Federal Trade Commission
Act.
Newly issued orders require each respondent to submit a written report supported by
relevant documentary material demonstrating the manner and form of compliance with the
order. Conferences with respondents and their attorneys are frequently required, together
with considerable followup correspondence. In many cases the Commission, on the
recommendation of the Division, directs that reports be augmented by supplemental reports
or investigations.
Frequently, respondents request prior Commission clearance as to whether proposed
advertising and other promotional programs accord with requirements of the Commission's
orders. Under the Commission rule pertaining to compliance matters, any respondent subject
to an order may request and receive advice from the Commission as to whether a proposed
course of action will constitute compliance.
The following are examples of civil penalty cases concluded during fiscal 1966:
Vitasafe Corporation, et al.—The order in this case prohibits the respondents from falsely
representing that merchandise is offered free; from shipping and attempting to collect for
unordered merchandise, and for refusing to cancel orders for undelivered merchandise.
Judgment in the amount of $18,000 and a permanent injunction was entered in the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New York. This is the first litigated penalty case
where a permanent injunction commanding obedience to a Commission order was obtained.
Americana Corporation, et al. The order in this case prohibits respondents from fictitious
pricing and engaging in other deceptive acts or practices in connection with the interstate sale
of sets of encyclopedias. Judgment in the amount of $100,000 was entered in the U.S.
District Court for the District of Maryland.
Comparative Workload, Fiscal Years 1965 and 1966
A comparison of the statistics regarding the Division's caseload during fiscal 1965 and
1966 is as follows:
21

Total pending at beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Received during fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1965
447
293

1966
418
475

Total for disposition during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposed of during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

740
322

893
556

Total pending end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

418

337

Division of Scientific Opinions
Within the Bureau of Deceptive Practices, this Division provides medical and scientific
advice to all operating Bureaus. Its assistance is helpful, for example, to the Bureau of
Industry Guidance in the development of guides and Trade Regulation Rules, as well as
advisory opinions, when technical advice is appropriate. The greater amount of the time of
this staff, however, is devoted to the development of scientific evidence necessary to a
conclusion as to whether issuance of a formal complaint by the Commission is warranted,
and to the presentation of pertinent evidence during ensuing litigation.
A statistical summary of the Division's work during the year follows:
Products covered in written opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Oral opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Analyses and tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Prehearing conferences attended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Expert witnesses secured . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The subject matter of the written opinions was as follows:
Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cosmetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22

43 Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
115 Economic poisons . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

65
45
26

Chapter IV

THE FIGHT FOR FAIR
BUSINESS COMPETITION
To enforce the law against unfair trade practices by which monopolistic power is gained is one
of the Commission's most important responsibilities.
With increasing effectiveness, the Commission has continued its emphasis to encourage the
business community to comply with the law and by persuading those in violation of it to halt the
violation. Hard-core violators, however, became subject to formal action.
In the area of antimonopoly, the Commission's responsibilities arise from enforcement of section
5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act and four sections of the Clayton Act, including section 2,
as amended by the Robinson-Patman Act. The basic idea behind both the FTC and Clayton Acts was
to prevent the development of monopolistic empires founded upon unfair methods of competition
and discriminatory pricing battles. Such a development would eventually exact a cruel price from
consumers for the goods and services they need.
During fiscal 1966, the Commission's Bureau of Restraint of Trade received 1,450 applications
for complaint from businessmen and the public. Those applications which appeared to have merit
and over which the Commission had jurisdiction were entered for investigation. Two hundred and
forty-nine formal investigations involving restraint of trade were initiated, and 492 formal
investigations were completed. The Commission issued 94 antimonopoly complaints. The
Commission issued 94 orders to cease and desist, 83 of which were consent settled and 11 obtained
in contested cases. Three consent orders were obtained subsequent to issuance of formal complaints.
A substantial portion of the Commission's investigations and proceedings in the restraint of trade
field involve discriminatory prac23

tices prohibited by the Robinson-Patman Amendment to the Clayton Act. The extent of the
Commission's enforcement activity in this area is reflected by the following summary of the
Division of Discriminatory Practices' casework in the fiscal year.
Informal cases:
Initiated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Disposed of during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Pending, June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Formal cases:
Complaints issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Contested orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Consent orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Dismissed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Cases pending litigation, June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Continued emphasis was given to securing voluntary compliance with the RobinsonPatman Act in single and in group cases without resorting to costly and time-consuming
investigations and proceedings. Disposition was made of a total of 39 cases involving
violations of the act on the basis of the proposed respondent's assurance of voluntary
compliance, i.e., that the illegal practices had been discontinued and will not be resumed in
the future.
By means of a press release, the Commission inaugurated an educational and advisory
program in a major attack on widespread violations of section 2(d) in the hardback and soft
prestige paperback book publishing industry. To encourage industry cooperation in this
endeavor, the Commission made the staff of this Division available to publishers for advice
and guidance in the formulation of cooperative advertising and promotional allowance
programs which meet the requirements of the act.
The Commission also promised that no action would be taken against the publishers for
past violations. The American Book Publishers Council enthusiastically endorsed this
program and under its auspices members of the staff explained to over 150 publishers the
requirements of section 2(d) of the act. A large number of publishers, after consultation with
members of the staff, adopted advertising and promotional allowance programs which are
available to all customers on a nondiscriminatory basis. The Commission's efforts toward
achieving industrywide compliance in the publishing
24

industry will continue by persuasion and voluntary compliance, and by enforcement
procedures, if necessary.
Consent cease and desist orders were negotiated with 55 additional wearing apparel
manufacturers and these orders, together with previously issued consent orders against other
manufacturers, were made effective on the same date. As a result, over 300 manufacturers
of men's, women's, and children's wearing apparel are now required to make their advertising
and promotional allowances available to all competing customers on proportionally equal
terms.
Consent orders were issued against two automotive jobber buying groups and their
affiliated jobbers, Norcal Distributors, Inc. et al. (C-1062) and Evergreen Warehouse
Distributors, Inc. (C-1070), prohibiting the respondents from knowingly inducing or
receiving discriminatory prices in the purchase of automotive replacement parts from
suppliers in violation of section 2(f) of the act.
A consent order prohibiting violation of section 5 of the FTC Act, through inducing or
receiving discriminatory advertising and promotional allowances from suppliers was issued
against Peck & Peck (C-1068), a retailer of wearing apparel and accessories, with 66 stores
in different sections of the country. A consent order was issued against 30 wholesale jewelry
concerns, Robert Carp, Inc. et al. (C-1023), enjoining violation of section 5 of the FTC Act,
through knowingly inducing and receiving discriminatory advertising allowances from
jewelry suppliers.
In contested cases, a cease and desist order was issued against Dean Milk Company (D8032), prohibiting it from discriminating in price in the sale of fluid milk and dairy products
in violation of section 2(a) of the act. William H. Rorer, Inc. (D-8599), a manufacturer of
pharmaceutical products, was the subject of a cease and desist order which prohibits the
company from discriminating in price in favor of drug chains and against independent
druggists in violation of section 2(a) of the act. A cease and desist order prohibits Clairol,
Inc. (D-8647), a manufacturer of hair coloring products, from discriminating between
purchasers of its products in the payment of advertising and promotional allowances in
violation of section 2(d) of the act.
Pending cases in litigation are as follows: In Associated Merchandising Corporation (D8651), a wholly-owned subsidiary and 15 member department stores are charged with
knowingly inducing
238-586 0–67—3

25

and receiving discriminatory prices from suppliers of merchandise in violation of section 2(f)
of the act. In Beatrice Foods Co., Inc. (D-8663), respondent is charged with selling fluid
milk and dairy products to the Kroger Company at lower discriminatory prices in violation
of section 2(a) of the act, and the Kroger Company is charged with inducing and receiving
discriminatory prices in connection with such purchases in violation of section 2(f) of the act.
In Best & Co., Inc. (D-8669), a large retailer of wearing apparel and accessories is charged
with knowingly inducing and receiving discriminatory advertising and promotional
allowances from suppliers in violation of section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
In Suburban Propane Gas Corporation (D-8672), the world's largest independent distributor
of liquid petroleum gas is charged with inducing and receiving discriminatory prices in the
purchase of this product from suppliers in violation of section 2(f) of the act.
In the enforcement of the general trade restraint provision contained in section 5 of the
Federal Trade Commission Act, relating to unfair methods of competition or unfair acts or
practices, the Commission's attainments not only included the prohibition of restrictive
practices by enforcement procedures, but also added emphasis on securing assurances of
voluntary compliance and amicable adjustment of incipient violations of section 5 of the
Federal Trade Commission Act.
The extent of the Commission's enforcement activity in this area is reflected by the
following summary of the Division of General Trade Restraint's casework in fiscal 1966.
Informal cases:
Initiated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Disposed of during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Pending, June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Formal cases:
Complaints issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Contested orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Consent orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Dismissed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Cases pending litigation, June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The 107 investigations initiated in the fiscal year, and the total of 254 investigations
pending as of June 30, 1966, represented active inquiries in 110 different industries or
segments thereof.
26

In conformity with the Commission's policy renewed emphasis was made in promoting
voluntary compliance with section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. As a result,
numerous serious violations of law in several significant areas of the economy were halted
without resorting to litigation. Assurances of voluntary compliance from 24 different
companies were received and accepted as dispositive of the violations.
Seven matters were concluded by assurances of voluntary compliance. These matters
involved price fixing, boycotts, tie-in sales and other forms of unfair acts and practices.
In furtherance of the Commission efforts at coping with violations in their incipiency, the
Division of General Trade Restraints used its small business procedure in 111 new letters of
complaints and arranged for satisfactory conclusions in approximately 45 of such matters.
On July 1, 1965, there were 37 small business matters pending, and on July 1, 1966, there
were 31 matters pending.
Of the several matters involving the issuance of cease and desist orders, a consent
agreement was obtained in Armstrong Cork Company (C-1010) together with an order
requiring Armstrong to cease and desist from conspiring to fix the resale price of its flooring
and from discriminating in price between and among its distributors. Another consent
proceeding involving price fixing was Freeman Shoe Corp. (C-1007). The order precludes
both vertical and horizontal price fixing.
In Powernail Company (C-1038), a manufacturer of floor nailing equipment was ordered
to cease and desist from using a resale price maintenance scheme in the sale of its products.
The respondent was further required to reinstate all dealers refused distribution of
Powernail's product because of their failure to conform to the resale price maintenance plan.
Similarly, in Nutri-Bio Corp. (C-1056) respondents were required to cease and desist from
establishing and promoting a resale price maintenance plan.
In the complaint in Paillard, Inc. (C-914), the Commission charged violation of section
5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act through the use of illegal price fixing agreements in
the sale of its Bolex still cameras to its franchised dealers throughout the United States.
More specifically, the Commission charged that although
27

respondent's franchise agreements contained a disclaimer for non-fair-trade States,
respondent had continued to enforce, or attempt to enforce, the price maintenance articles of
the agreements in all States. Additionally, the Commission charged, inter alia, that
respondent policed its dealers and distributors for price adherence, and cajoled or urged its
dealers by letter in an effort to maintain the suggested list prices. An agreed-upon order now
precludes these activities. Respondent in Fairchild Graphic Equipment, Inc. (C-1013), in
leasing an engraving machine known as Scan-A-Graver was requiring the lessees to buy the
unpatented plastic engraving plater from Fairchild. Respondent also used other techniques
to force the purchase of its products and to discourage the use of competitors' products. An
agreement was entered into whereby these practices were halted.
At the close of the year, three formal matters were in litigation. The first of these was the
Sperry and Hutchinson Corp. (D. 8671). The complaint charged, essentially, that S. & H.
individually and in conspiracy with others was fixing the rates at which trading stamps were
being dispensed by retailers; and further that S. & H. was preventing trading stamp
exchanges from openly redeeming stamps. The second such matter is Henderson Tobacco
Market Board of Trade, Inc. (D. 8684). The complaint charged the Henderson Tobacco
Market Board of Trade, Inc., and certain of its warehouse members with restricting
competition in the purchase, sale and distribution of flue-cured tobacco in the Henderson,
North Carolina market. The third formal matter involves Balfour Co. (D. 8435), wherein the
respondent is charged with maintaining a monopoly in the fraternity jewelry field, attempting
to monopolize in the high school ring field, and other unfair methods of competition.
In exercising its responsibilities for enforcement of the Celler-Kefauver Anti-Merger Act,
the Commission has allocated a major portion of its resources to competitive and more
sensitive industries. At the same time, it has sought to provide businessmen with guidance
as to the requirements of the act so as to avoid, wherever possible, the necessity for litigation.
The extent of the Commission's enforcement activity in this area is
28

reflected by the following summary of the Division of Mergers' casework in the fiscal year.
Informal cases:
Initiated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Disposed of during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Pending, June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Formal cases:
Complaints issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Contested orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Consent orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Dismissed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Cases pending litigation, June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
In the dairy industry, a fourth major case, Beatrice Foods Co. (D. 6653), resulted in a
Commission order of divestiture and a 10-year prohibition against future acquisitions, and
is now on appeal in the Court of Appeals. A novel victory was gained in a new dairy case,
Dean Foods Co. (D. 8674), when the Commission sought a preliminary injunction under the
All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. 1651. Although denied in the Court of Appeals, the Commission's
right to seek such injunctions was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States on June
13, 1966. This opens the door in appropriate instances where irreparable injury may result,
for similar petitions in the future and overcomes a persistent weakness in the Commission's
ability to effectively enforce the antimerger statute.
In dealing with the present trend toward vertical integration in the cement industry, the
Commission accepted consent orders against Texas Industries, Inc. (D. 8656), Lone Star
Cement Corp. (C-1075), and Ideal Cement Co. (D. 8678). The hearing examiner's dismissal
of cases against National Portland Cement Co. (D. 8654) and U.S. Steel Corp. (D. 8655)
have been appealed to the Commission. An active enforcement policy continues, with an
additional two complaints being issued against Lehigh Portland Cement Company (D. 8680)
and Marquette Cement Manufacturing CO. (D. 8685).
In the food retailing industry, the Commission determined that a series of acquisitions by
National Tea Co. (D. 7453) violated section 7 of the Clayton Act, and the company was
enjoined for 10 years from making any acquisitions in the food retailing field without prior
Commission approval. In a second case, Consolidated Foods Corp. (C-1024), a consent
order was entered in which substantial
29

grocery store divestitures were required. This order was unique in providing that divestiture
may be accomplished by outright sale or by the transfer of the assets to be divested to a new
corporation the stock of which could be spun off by being sold to the public through an
underwriter.
A major case in the paper industry, St. Regis Paper Co. (C-917), was terminated with the
acceptance of a consent order involving substantial divestiture and a 10-year prohibition
upon future acquisitions.
In the department store industry the Commission entered consent orders in three major
cases: Federated Department Stores, Inc. (C-981), Allied Stores Corp. (C-1001), and
Broadway-Hale Stores, Inc. (C-1057). The main thrust of these orders involves prohibitions
of future acquisitions for a specified term of years, in the absence of prior Commission
approval.
Developments in other significant merger cases included a Commission decision and
order against General Foods Corp. (D. 8600) which requires divestiture of The S.O.S. Co.
and Endicott-Johnson Corp. (C-1009) in which a consent order was entered which prohibits
any acquisitions for 20 years involving the manufacturing or selling of shoes without prior
Commission approval.
In the vending industry, a complaint was issued against The Seeburg Corp. (D. 8682)
which challenges a major acquisition in the vending machine manufacturing business.
In two major merger cases pending in courts of appeal, Fruehauf Trailer Company (D.
6608) and Inland Container Corp. (D. 7993), these companies agreed to modified orders
which were accepted by the Commission terminating pending appeals in these cases.
The special program instituted during fiscal 1965 involving enforcement of section 8 of
the Clayton Act, relating to interlocking directorates, was concluded this year. As a result
of this activity, a number of such interlocks were voluntarily terminated.
The Compliance Division effectuates and maintains compliance with all of the final
orders in the restraint of trade area as issued by the Commission. During the year, this
Division succeeded in effecting compliance with over 100 final orders in the restraint of
trade area. The Division was instrumental in effecting divestiture of over 35 plants and
facilities to some 22 buyers resulting from final orders
30

issued as a result of proceedings under section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended. These
divestitures not only reestablish competition in the affected industries and market, but many
resulted in the establishment of new and vigorous business enterprises. Civil penalties in
excess of $70,000 were collected.
In fiscal 1966, the Compliance Division processed a total of 258 complaints of violations
of orders, public inquiries, requests for advisory opinions (pertaining to compliance matters,
as provided for by the Commission's Rules), requests for informal advice from respondents
and miscellaneous actions. During the year, there were 79 active investigations, some of
which may necessitate institution of civil penalty proceedings.
The following is a summary of the Division's caseload:
Total pending July 1, 1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Received during fiscal 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
____
Total workload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Disposed of during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
____
Total pending June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
The Division of Accounting, during the year, continued to utilize electronic data
processing (EDP) equipment in the preparation of tabulations needed as evidence of price
discrimination at a considerable saving in man power. In addition, the utilization of EDP
provided extensive and more effective cost data in cases involving the sale of products at
prices below cost.
The tabulation and computation of rates of return showing the profitableness of identical
companies in selected manufacturing industries for the calendar year 1964 was published
during the past fiscal year. The financial data contained in this report was utilized by other
Government agencies and by industry in studies of various companies and industries.
During the past fiscal year, the Commission, under provisions of the Packers and
Stockyards Act, as amended September 2, 1958 (7 U.S.C. 226, 227), continued its liaison
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pursuant to provisions of this statute, and in order
to avoid unnecessary duplications of effort by the two agencies, the
31

Commission notified the Department that the Commission intended to conduct investigations
of certain practices involving meats in six separate matters. And, the Department, in turn,
notified the Commission on one separate matter.
32

Chapter V

WOOL, FUR, TEXTILE,
AND FLAMMABLE FABRICS ACTS
ENFORCEMENT
Protection of consumers in their purchases of textiles, woolens, furs, and from wearing apparel
that might be dangerously flammable was achieved during fiscal 1966 by a combination of energetic
inspection and by gaining a remarkable degree of cooperation from the industries producing the
products. Success of the education program for these industries was apparent from the fact that legal
action had to be resorted to in relatively few instances where the deception appeared to be deliberate
or cooperation was refused.
During the year, the number of inspections made by the Textile and Fur Bureau's Division of
Regulation and covering manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing establishments increased over
fiscal 1965 from 11,413 to 12,625. The number of products spot checked was substantially greater
due in part to increased inspection activity, and also because of FTC's greater concentration on larger
retailers and manufacturers, particularly those making hosiery and rugs.
More emphasis was placed in administrative correction of labeling, invoicing, and advertising
deficiencies, and it was reflected in the fact that the number of informal assurances of discontinuance
increased from 1,790 in fiscal 1965 to 2,614 in fiscal 1966.
A total of 404 formal cases was handled during fiscal 1966. There were 243 on the docket at the
beginning of the year, and 160 new investigations were initiated.
Only 39 flammable fabrics cases were initiated this year as opposed to 117 such cases in 1965.
In 1964 and 1965 many flammable fabrics cases were opened against manufacturers as a result of
the Joycette-Chori cases in 1964. Affidavits of voluntary compliance were obtained from the
customer respondents of these firms and the cases closed. A few of these cases were opened early
33

3 PHOTOGRAPHS - SEE IMAGE

In fiscal 1966 the Bureau of Textiles and Furs of the FTC made 12,625 inspections on the
manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing level. At top an FTC investigator is checking the
textile products labeling requirement in a retail store. Middle photo shows an investigator
checking the manufacturing operation of nylon hose to make certain the completed article
is properly labeled as to the contents. Bottom photo shows an investigator checking labels
on furs in a vault. It is the usual practice of furriers to keep their more valuable furs in a
vault and to display only a few of them in the store at a time.

in fiscal 1966 but, since the maximum effect had been achieved, emphasis on the program
was decreased during the year.
Forty-two recommendations for complaint were forwarded to the Commission. Fifty
cease and desist orders were issued and 56 complaints were approved for issuance. One
hundred and sixty-five cases were recommended for closing during the year. Excluding
flammable fabrics cases, this represents a 5-percent increase over the preceding year.
Of considerable interest is the distribution of cases as to the four acts administered by the
FTC. The following table shows the distribution of cases in 1962 as compared with 1966:
July 1, 1962
Act

Number

July 1, 1966

Percent
of total

Number

Percent
of total

Wool . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fur . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textile . . . . . . . . . . .
Flammable fabrics . .

30
118
28
27

14.9
58.1
13.7
13.3

70
52
79
12

32.9
24.4
37.1
5.6

Total . . . . . . .

203

100.0

213

100.0

The number of cases opened under the Textile Act, which is the newest act administered
by the FTC, now comprises the largest block of cases on the docket. It is expected that this
pattern will continue in the future.
The Division of Enforcement continued its efforts during the year to prevent the
misbranding of wool products, with 62 cases on the docket at the beginning of the fiscal year
and 37 new cases added during this period. Eighteen cease and desist orders were issued
under the Wool Act. Two cases were docketed for trial, and 24 closing recommendations
were made. A substantial number of these cases involved the misbranding of imported wool
products, such as mohair and wool sweaters and hand-knitting yams, and two such cases
involving imported mohair sweaters have been docketed for trial, R. H. Macy & Co., Inc. (D.
8650), and Sportempos, Inc. (D. 8683).
35

Continued surveillance of furriers in this country at all levels of manufacture and
distribution has been maintained during the past year. A total of 102 formal fur cases has
been considered during this period. Emphasis has been directed particularly at false and
deceptive pricing and recordkeeping and, as a result, violations in these categories appear to
have decreased considerably.
Attention continues to be paid to manufacturers of fur-trim coats and suits. It has been
necessary to proceed formally against a number of these concerns; however, it is hoped that
such action will result in bringing the fur-trim industry into compliance with the act.
The number of formal textile cases considered by the Division of Enforcement has
increased during the past year from 85 to 109 as it continued to be apparent that many firms,
although having been repeatedly advised regarding the requirements of the act, have
obviously indicated they do not intend to voluntarily comply with it. This is particularly true
with regard to the advertising aspects of the Textile Act and several cases have been opened
against department stores for falsely and deceptively advertising the content of textile fiber
products.
In fiscal 1965 complaints were received that woolen braided rugs were being imported
from the Orient and labeled as 100 percent wool, whereas the wool content was substantially
less and the rugs contain considerable amount of other fibers. Wool floor coverings are
exempt from the Wool Act, but they are included under the Textile Act.
An investigation was conducted to determine to what extent importers of tubular and
braided rugs have been failing to properly label their products and to consider the feasibility
of obtaining industrywide compliance. The investigation revealed that there was little doubt
that many firms engaged in marketing these rugs were aware that their merchandise was
misbranded. It also revealed that other importers were properly labeling their products. The
survey showed that the fiber content of the floor coverings can be controlled and the
Japanese producers have informally assured the Commission that steps are being taken to
have the subject rugs comply with the Textile Act in all respects. To date some 25 firms
have been checked and investigations have been initiated against 11.
It is also to be noted that the Commission laboratory which operates
36

as a part of the Division of Enforcement was successful in developing a method of separating
acrylic fibers from various other fibers. This factor has been instrumental in allowing the
Division to proceed with several cases involving products containing this fiber.
In April of 1966 a complaint was received that certain sweaters manufactured by Leeds
Manufacturing Co., a New York corporation, might be dangerously flammable. An
investigation confirmed that the sweaters were in fact dangerously flammable, and
nationwide television and radio news programs so informed the public. One of the sweaters
burned during a broadcast as a demonstration was completely consumed in 43 seconds.
A temporary restraining order was obtained in the U.S. district court in New York on
April 22, 1966, and this order was enlarged into a preliminary injunction on April 28, 1966.
The offending sweater manufacturer was put under an order by the Commission on May 16,
as was the distributor of the fabric on June 27, 1966. Action is also being taken against the
manufacturer of the fabric from which the sweaters were produced.
In the spring of 1966, dangerously flammable imported rayon and metallic cloth intended
for use in ladies' skirts, blouses, and dresses was found in New York. Action by the FTC
together with the cooperation of the distributor, resulted in the fabric being taken off the
market. All but less than 100 yards out of 2,600 yards of the dangerously flammable fabric
was recovered from the shops to which it had been distributed.
The Compliance Section of the Division of Enforcement commenced the year with 110
compliance cases on its docket. During the year, 99 cases were added to the calendar (51
new orders assigned for procurement of satisfactory compliance reports and 48 matters
reopened for compliance investigation and processing). Of this total assignment of 209
cases, 104 were completed.
Continued emphasis has been placed on counseling respondents. Chainstore operators
have been encouraged to submit for review and comment drafts of instructions to store and
department managers regarding compliance with orders. Respondents who use promotional
catalogs, found particularly in the growing number of cases brought under the Textile Act,
are encouraged to submit proofs of revised catalogs prior to final printing.
37

The first two civil penalty cases involving violations of orders under the Flammable
Fabrics Act were certified to the Attorney General.

PHOTOGRAPH - SEE IMAGE

The FTC maintains a laboratory to test textiles, furs, wool and the flammability of products. This is a
view of part of the laboratory. The employee is about to light a piece of material to test its flammability.

38

Chapter VI

FOLLOW THROUGH IN LAW
ENFORCEMENT
The General Counsel's work in fiscal 1966 reflected the changing patterns of Commission effort.
Greater emphasis appeared in antitrust law enforcement, while some decrease of emphasis showed
in the antideceptive practice area. Consonant with the greater financial importance of antitrust cases,
a larger number of extraordinary remedies to forestall Commission action was sought in the district
courts of the United States. Legislative matters decreased in number, as is usual during the second
session of a Congress, while investigative process clearances increased. There was a continuing
increase in the work of the General Counsel's Division of Export Trade. The new Office of FederalState Cooperation, established this year within the General Counsel's Office, was fully operational
from the day it opened its doors for business.
Court proceedings which involve the Federal Trade Commission arise in a number of ways. Any
individual or company against which the FTC has issued an order to cease and desist may petition
a U.S. court of appeals to review and set aside the order. The FTC may apply in a U.S. district court
for enforcement of a subpena, or may request the Attorney General to institute civil proceedings to
compel the filing of a special or annual report ordered by the Commission and to recover forfeitures
for failure to comply with the Commission's order. Disobedience to a court's decree enforcing a
Commission order or subpena may be punished by the court as a contempt of the court. Collateral
suits challenging the Commission's jurisdiction or methods of procedure may be brought under
certain circumstances in U.S. district courts. The Commission's interests in these collateral matters
are presented and defended by the Department of Justice with the full assistance of the General
Counsel. It is the practice of the Justice Department to refer these
39

matters to the local U.S. attorney who in turn accepts the services of the General Counsel to
actually handle these matters.
In fiscal 1966, the General Counsel, through the Division of Appeals, handled 112 cases.
Litigation was completed in 46 of these, of which 20 were restraint of trade matters; 12
involved deceptive business practices; 1 concerned the Commission's subpena powers; and
13 were extraordinary matters such as suits against the Commission for declaratory judgment
or injunction. Included in the latter category this year were three requests by courts for the
Commission to file amicus curiae briefs, and one proceeding by the Commission for
temporary injunction under the Flammable Fabrics Act.
Two most unusual accomplishments make this fiscal year historical in the General
Counsel's Office: the Commission through the office of the Solicitor General and the General
Counsel's Office obtained from the Supreme Court confirmation of its right to seek an
injunction from the appellate courts to prevent actions of respondents which would nullify
a Commission order, and a court order sustaining the Commission, see Dean Foods Co. (D.
8674); also the Commission obtained from the Supreme Court confirmation of the criminal
contempt jail sentence of 6 months' imprisonment for the president of a respondent company
for violation of a Commission cease and desist order, Holland Furnace (D. 6203). The
importance of the first of these two accomplishments cannot be truly evaluated, it must be
tested in the coming years of Federal Trade Commission law enforcement.
(The status of the more important court cases at the year's end is outlined in app. A of this
report.)
The Division of Consent Orders, which processes the great majority of the FTC formal
enforcement proceedings, supervises the negotiation of consent orders to be entered in
appropriate cases. A total of 124 executed agreements containing consent orders was
forwarded to the Commission for its consideration in fiscal 1966; 41 matters were
resubmitted to the Commission for consideration when negotiations failed to produce
agreement; and 311 review, interim report and special assignment matters were completed.
The Division of Consent Orders uniquely serves the interest of the public and the business
community by affording a means whereby the law is enforced
40

and business is not required to engage in expensive, time-consuming, market-disrupting
litigation.
The General Counsel's Division of Export Trade supervises administration of the WebbPomerene (Export Trade) Act (15 U.S.C. 61-65) for the Commission, performs necessary
investigative functions in connection with the Commission's general authority under section
6(h) of the Federal Trade Commission Act to inquire into foreign trade conditions,
coordinates the Commission's jurisdiction over foreign commerce, advises other offices of
the Commission on export trade, and serves as liaison with other Government agencies
having complementary jurisdiction over foreign trade.
The 1918 Webb-Pomerene Act, entitled "An act to promote export trade, and for other
purposes," qualifiedly exempts registered American associations from the provisions of the
Sherman Act of 1890 and the Federal Trade Commission and Clayton Acts of 1914 insofar
as their activities relate solely to export trade. Under the provisions of this act, associations
are permitted to fix prices and quotas, pool products for shipment, and establish terms and
conditions of sales to foreign markets. Thirty-two registered associations in 1965 exported
$1,138,491.16 in American products to foreign markets.
With the acceleration of the Commission's industry guidance programs, and with the
development of procedures for handling vastly increased caseloads, the General Counsel has
assigned, on a selective basis, members of his staff to assist the operating bureaus in their
conduct of rulemaking proceedings, preparation of subpenas and orders to file special
reports, and the development of special procedures to handle special situations. As an
indication of the volume of this work, though not as definitive of its nature or importance,
the Assistant General Counsel for Voluntary Compliance reviewed for content and efficacy,
and prepared opinions concerning, 21 resolutions authorizing use of compulsory process, on
which 72 subpenas duces tecum were issued; seven subpenas testificandum, 51 orders to file
special reports (general), 44 special orders (Economic Quarterly Financial Reporting
Program), and 28 notices of default filed preliminarily to enforcement action.
The newly established Office of Federal-State Cooperation within the General Counsel's
Office opened its doors with such ready accept41
238-586 0–67—4

ance by State officials that in the last quarter of fiscal 1966 complaints of unfair practices
were being received at a rate approximately equal to 1 a day, and in return the Commission
referred to the States approximately 37 complaints for their investigation and enforcement
in cooperation with the interstate enforcement efforts of the Commission. The Office also
proposed new uniform State laws for enactment to the Council on State Governments
Committee on Suggested State Legislation to cover three areas of unfair practice, and the
Assistant General Counsel in charge of the office appeared before the Legislative Council
of Kansas to discuss proposed legislation. The Office dispensed some 6,000 pieces of
informational literature to consumer groups during the year.
The General Counsel's Division of Legislation furnished advice and comment to the
Commission on 36 bills which were pending in Congress, and on 17 draft bills submitted to
the Bureau of the Budget by other governmental agencies, and on 5 enrolled bills pending
Presidential signature or veto. Frequent conferences with Members of the Congress and with
representatives of executive agencies have been held to assist the preparation of legislation
and the presentation of views of the Commission and its members or representatives before
legislative committees. The final days of this Congress mark a decrease in the volume of
legislation requiring comment. The process begins again with the inauguration of the new
Congress and introduction of new legislation in its first session in January 1967.
From the experience of the Commission in its daily administration of the law and from
studies made in the General Counsel's Office, it appears that certain additional legislation is
needed.

42

Chapter VII

LEGISLATION NEEDED
The Commission has urged the enactment of laws which would:
1. Amend section 7 of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 18) by requiring proper notice to the Federal
Trade Commission and other appropriate agencies of proposed mergers of corporations of significant
size, at least one of which is engaged in interstate commerce.
2. Amend section 2(e) of the Wool Products Labeling Act (15 U.S.C. 68(e)), which defines a
wool product, so that it will read as follows:
The term "wool product" means (1) any fibers or fibrous materials, including
fibers or fibrous materials reclaimed from other products, which are, contain, or in any way are
represented as containing wool, reprocessed wool, or reused wool, and (2) any yarn, fabrics or
other product containing or made in whole or in part of such fibers or fibrous materials.
3. Amend section 2(d) of the Flammable Fabrics Act (15 U.S.C. 1191(d)) so as to include
blankets which are dangerously flammable.
4. Amend section 5(a) of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 16(a)) so as to include a final order of the
Federal Trade Commission; that is, amend section 5(a) to read:
A final judgment, decree or final order to cease and desist of the Federal Trade
Commission heretofore or hereafter rendered in any civil or criminal proceeding brought by
or on behalf of the United States under the antitrust laws to the effect that a defendant or
respondent has violated said laws shall be prima facie evidence against such defendant or
respondent in any action or proceeding brought by any other party against such defendant or
respondent under said laws or by the United States under section 4A, as to all matters
respecting which said
43

judgment, decree or order would be an estoppel as between the parties thereto: Provided,
That this section shall not apply to consent judgments, decrees or orders entered before any
testimony has been taken or to judgments or decrees entered in actions under section 4A.
44

Chapter VIII

THE ROLE OF ECONOMIC STUDIES
AND EVIDENCE
The Bureau of Economics investigates and analyzes economic phenomena, particularly the
structure, conduct, and performance of industrial corporations, and provides economic assistance
needed for the Commission's law enforcement efforts.
The Bureau is divided into three Divisions: Industry Analysis, Economic Evidence, and Financial
Statistics. The Division of Industry Analysis has two basic responsibilities: (1) It undertakes a wide
variety of special projects to assist the Commission in the planning and performance of Commission
activities, and (2) it conducts formal economic studies or investigations at the request of the
President, the Congress, or the Commission. The Division of Economic Evidence is primarily
responsible for providing economic assistance to FTC's staff in connection with the investigation and
trial of legal cases. The Division of Financial Statistics collects and prepares, in cooperation with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, a Quarterly Financial Report covering various
manufacturing industries.
Industry Analysis
In fiscal 1966, the Division of Industry Analysis completed five major reports covering a variety
of different industries and, in addition, made substantial progress on a number of other industry
studies. It also completed its annual report on merger activity. Following are the highlights of the
completed studies and reports.
The Manufacture and Distribution of Automotive Tires.—This report analyzes recent important
changes in the structure and behavior of the automotive tire industry. Emphasis is placed upon the
effects of recent mergers and acquisitions upon the structure of the industry and possible effects upon
future competitive behavior. Since 1961, a series of acquisitions of retail and wholesale tire
distributors by leading tire manufacturers has taken place. In addition, three of
45

the small- to medium-sized tire producers have themselves been acquired by their larger
competitors.
The report points out that the tire industry is among the most highly concentrated in our
economy. In 1958, for example, the four leading companies accounted for 88 percent of
value of shipments of tires. As a result of mergers and exits from the industry, the number
of remaining companies manufacturing tires declined from 23 in 1945 to 14 in 1965.
The primary reason for the high degree of concentration appears to lie in the field of
distribution. Through time large tire producers have built up strong brands, extensive
distribution networks of franchised dealers, and company-owned stores. In the early years
of the industry, leading tire manufacturers gained an advantage through their position as
suppliers of original equipment tires to the automobile industry and, as production of
automobiles expanded, these companies were able to trade upon the reputation to build
strong distribution networks for sale of replacement tires.
Tire manufacturers sell in two major and distinct markets: Original equipment sales to
automobile manufacturing companies, and replacement sales to car and truck owners. The
replacement market, which accounts for about two-thirds of all tire sales, is served by a
variety of distribution outlets. These include not only traditional independent tire dealers,
but also gasoline service stations, chain and mail-orders stores, and leased departments in
department stores.
The report points out that in recent years, important changes have taken place in the
pattern of replacement tire distribution. The most significant of these has been the decline
in sales through independent tire dealers, and the growth of distributor or private-label sales
by large oil companies and chainstores (fig. 1). In addition, new channels of distribution,
such as leased departments have grown in importance. These changes have altered the
relationship between tire manufacturers and their customers. Large oil companies and chains
who individually purchase millions of dollars worth of tires a year have much greater
bargaining power than small independent dealers. The growth in sales by such large
distributors has tended to restrict the exercise of market power by major tire companies.
Despite the concentrated structure of tire manufacturing, profit rates in the postwar period
have been lower than those of some other
46

Figure 1
PERCENT OF REPLACEMENT MARKET TIRE SALES BY PRIMARY CHANNEL
OF DISTRIBUTION
1929-1941 AND l946-1964

GRAPHIC - SEE IMAGE

highly concentrated industries. In recent years profits have been near those of all
manufacturing. It appears that changes in the structure of distribution has limited leading
firms in the industry from developing the type of stable, market sharing pattern found in
many such highly concentrated oligopolistic industries.
The report points out, however, that recent acquisitions, both vertical and horizontal, may
have seriously eroded competitive elements in the industry. The gradual disappearance of
the competitive fringe of smaller tire manufacturers and the acquisition of distribution outlets
by major tire producers may lead to a lessening of competition in the future. In view of the
already highly concentrated structure of the industry, further horizontal or vertical
acquisitions (except of small individual dealers) almost certainly could cause a further
deterioration in the competitive behavior of the industry.
Mergers and Vertical Integration in the Cement Industry.--This report reviews recent
developments in the cement and ready-mixed concrete industries with particular reference
to the merger movement
47

which has brought about a large degree of vertical integration between the two industries.
The cement industry at the beginning of the 1960's was virtually free of such integration.
Since 1960, however, approximately 40 ready-mixed and concrete products companies had
been acquired by leading cement companies, while several large ready-mixed companies had
entered into the manufacture of cement.
The cement industry has undergone a number of dramatic developments in recent years.
In the immediate postwar years cement production responded to the sharp increase in
construction demands, but capacity expanded slowly. Beginning in the mid-1950's, when the
rate of cement capacity utilization reached an alltime peak of 94 percent, the industry began
to expand capacity rapidly, so rapidly in fact that for the next decade capacity rose at about
double the rate of production.
Despite the growth in output and capacity, the number of cement companies decreased
from 72 to 48 between 1946 and 1966. Since 1950, the number has declined by one-fourth,
despite the entrance of 13 new companies. The reduction in the number of firms was the
result of acquisitions made by the 12 largest companies in the industry. As a result of these
acquisitions the 12 largest companies in the industry increased their share of industry
capacity from 58.6 percent in 1950 to 61.5 percent in 1964. During the same period the share
of industry capacity accounted for by the 8 largest increased slightly and that of the 4 largest
cement producers declined, but the share controlled by the 20 largest firms increased from
72.9 percent to 83 percent (fig. 2).
A number of important changes have occurred in cement distribution. At the end of
World War 11 cement was shipped primarily (71 percent) in bags, while currently most
cement is shipped in bulk. The change from bag to bulk shipments has resulted in a
reduction in packaging costs and handling charges through the introduction and use of
mechanical loading and unloading equipment.
A significant change in the method of transportation accompanied the increase in bulk
cement shipments. For some years prior to 1950, 80 percent or more of all cement shipments
were made by rail. Since 1950, there has been a substantial shift from rail to truck
48

Figure 2
CAPACITY CONCENTRATION IN THE PORTLAND CEMENT INDUSTRY
1950 AND 1964

GRAPHIC - SEE IMAGE

delivery; the share of cement shipped by truck has almost quadrupled, from about 17 percent
to 64 percent. One of the most notable developments, particularly since 1960, has been the
increased use of secondary distribution terminals. By 1964 there were 234 cement
distribution terminals in operation, 70 percent of which were established after 1959.

49

Still another major change in the distribution of portland cement has been the appearance
of an important new class of cement customers. Prior to World War II, cement was sold
primarily to contractors directly or to building materials wholesalers who subsequently resold
to contractors. Since the end of World War II, the use of specialized processors of concrete
has become increasingly prevalent. Ready-mixed concrete and concrete products
manufacturers accounted for about 73 percent of portland cement purchases in 1964.
In the late 1950's, many portland cement producers began to move, through mergers, into
the ready-mixed concrete industry. While this movement began slowly, it accelerated sharply
in the early 1960's. Whereas in 1956 there were only 2 portland cement producers with
ready-mixed and other concrete products production, today there are 19; included are 3
companies which have integrated backward into cement production through the construction
of new portland cement producing facilities.
The forward movement by cement producers into concrete manufacture is with one
exception a product of merger activity and about 80 percent of these acquisitions have
occurred since 1960. The report points out that forward acquisitions have occurred in a
relatively small number of metropolitan areas. However, the number of acquisitions (equal
to about 1 percent of all ready-mixed companies) belies their economic importance. In 1964
shipments of portland cement to these integrated concrete facilities were equal to about 10
percent of grey portland cement shipments to all ready-mixed producers.
The report shows that vertical forward acquisitions of large ready-mixed manufacturers
do more than merely temporarily disrupt access to cement markets by unintegrated suppliers.
Such mergers tend to deprive other suppliers of economical access to the affected markets.
A frequent response of disadvantaged firms is to engage in defensive mergers of their own,
thereby triggering other mergers. In this context unrestrained merger activity may freeze
some suppliers out of a major segment of the market, and shrink the size of the open market
for cement. Several adverse competitive effects may flow from this. The number of
effective competitors seeking to
50

supply particular markets may be diminished, thereby reducing the intensity of competition.
Moreover, the remaining smaller, unintegrated cement consumers may find suppliers less
willing to engage in aggressive rivalry in serving their needs.
Cents-Off Promotion in the Coffee Industry.—This report, which placed particular
emphasis on the use of cents-off promotions in the marketing of regular and instant coffee
in 1964 and 1965, was submitted into the record of the Commission's hearing on deceptive
price labeling in the coffee industry. The report points out that the coffee industry is an
important element of the food industry group, with value of shipments amounting to nearly
$2 billion in 1964. The industry itself is composed of two distinct subindustries--regular and
instant, with the latter subindustry containing a much smaller number of firms than the
former. Not more than 20 of the 261 companies in the coffee industry in 1963 were engaged
in the processing of instant coffee.
The coffee industry utilizes a variety of promotional devices, the most important of which
is the cents-off sales. The cents-off sale is not novel; it has been employed in several
industries, normally for relatively short periods of time to introduce new products or to enter
new marketing areas. But in the coffee industry cents-off sales have become an integral part
of the industry's merchandising approach. Based on a sample of firms1 45 percent of regular
coffee sales, and about 70 percent of instant coffee sales in 1965 were made on some
type of cents-off basis.
The report shows that in 1964 and 1965, there was a very rapid growth in this type of
promotion. Among a dozen producers of regular coffee, one sold all of its coffee on a centsoff basis in both years; only two producers, both retail food chains, sold all of their coffee
at "list" prices. The remaining firms substantially increased such promotions, in terms of
both frequency and in size of cents-off discounts in this period. Overall, cents-off sales of
regular coffee by the firms in the sample rose from 31 percent of their total sales in 1964 to
45 percent in 1965.
________
1

It is estimated that these firms account for between 65 and 70 percent of total regular
coffee sales and between 75 and 80 percent of instant coffee sales.
51

Of the 12 instant coffee producers included in the report, only 3 companies (all retail food
chains) made less than half of their sales on a cents-off basis in 1965. Three companies sold
their entire output at cents-off, and three more sold over 97 percent on this basis in 1965.
Also, there is some variation in cents-off sales by size of firm. In the regular coffee market,
the four largest roasters sold a larger proportion of their production on a cents-off basis than
did five medium- and small-sized firms, while the three food chains made minimal use of this
type of promotion in either 1964 or 1965. In the instant market, on the other hand, the
medium- and small-sized firms sold 99 percent of their output in 1965 at cents-off, while the
four largest coffee companies sold 74 percent on this basis. It should be noted, however, that
these 5 smaller firms accounted for less than 4 percent of the instant coffee sales of the 12
companies in the sample. The chain store group sold only 3 percent of their output in centsoff promotions.
Industry sources estimate that as recently as 1961, only 30 percent of regular coffee was
sold at cents-off; the corresponding figure for the sample firms in 1965 had risen to 45
percent. Five years ago it is estimated that two-thirds of the instant coffee was sold at centsoff list price; this figure increased for the respondent firms to nearly three-fourths of the
instant coffee sold in 1965. This study suggests strongly that cents-off pricing has moved
beyond the promotional stage and has become a regular and integral part of the coffee
industry pricing structure.
Reports for the National Commission on Food Marketing.--During fiscal 1966, the
Commission staff prepared and submitted two studies to the National Commission on Food
Marketing: Report On Food Retailing: Market Structure and Competitive Behavior, and
Report on Food Manufacturing. These reports provide analyses of the market structure,
conduct and performance in the food retailing and food manufacturing industries.
Report on Food Retailing.--This report showed that the 70 largest corporate chains and
cooperative and voluntary groups increased their share of total food store sales from 31.7
percent in 1948 to 51.4 percent in 1963 (fig. 3). With respect to vertical integration, the
report concluded that backward integration into food manufacturing was about four times as
great as forward integration into grocery
52

retailing and that food retailers tend to integrate into the more concentrated food
manufacturing industries in order to share in these oligopolistic profits and/or to enhance
their own profits by eliminating the high costs of achieving product differentiation. With
respect
Figure 3. PARTICIPATION IN FOOD RETAILING BY 40 LARGEST CHAINS, 15
LARGEST COOPERATIVE GROUP AND 15 LARGEST VOLUNTARY GROUPS,
1948,1954,1958, AND 1963

GRAPHIC - SEE IMAGE

Source:

Federal Trade Commission.
53

to firm conglomeration, the report observed that when companies such as large retail food
chains operate across many different product markets or geographic markets they are less
subject to the competitive discipline of any one market.
Market conduct analysis emphasized the competitive tactics of large conglomerate retail
food chains. The report identified through case studies a number of competitive tactics
employed by large retailers such as subsidized expansion, price wars, and reciprocal
relationships with manufacturers, and concluded, with respect to the effectiveness of the
conglomerate's competitive strategy, that the mere presence in a market of large chains
capable of engaging in selective price cutting and subsidized expansion may serve as barriers
to entry as well as a disciplining influence on existing firms.
The report noted that the 20 largest chains have led the current merger movement in food
retailing by acquiring 225 firms with combined sales of $3.3 billion or 70 percent of the sales
of all acquisitions made by chains during the 1949-64 period (fig. 4), and that mergers in the
food retailing industry generally during the
Figure 4. RETAIL ACQUISITIONS BY GROCERY CHAINS, 1949-1964

GRAPHIC - SEE IMAGE

Source:
54

Federal Trade Commission.

1949-64 period have been and are increasingly of the "market extension" variety.
Of primary significance, according to the report, was the finding that "today the gross
margins of the largest retailers are not only higher than they were during the early 1950's, but
they are higher than they were in the 1920's, when practically all retailers operated very small
stores." And of future significance for the conduct and performance of food retailing, the
report concluded, is the erection of formidable barriers to entry associated with vertical
integration, firm conglomeration, advertising, and price discrimination.
Report on Food Manufacturing--This report describes in detail the structure and behavior
of the food manufacturing industries and points out that as a group these industries produce
about a third of consumer purchases of products and are the largest industrial employer.
However, despite a rapid rate of growth of about 7 percent a year in recent years, the number
of food manufacturing companies has declined sharply, from over 40,000 at the beginning
of the postwar period to about 30,000 today. The rate of decline is increasing. It was over
twice as great in the last third of the postwar period than in the first two-thirds.
Concomitant with the decline in number of companies has been an increase in
concentration, both overall and in individual product areas. The significant increase in
overall concentration has led to a condition where a very substantial amount of food
manufacturing activity is in the hands of only a few companies. The 50 largest accounted
for nearly 50 percent of food manufacturing activity assets in 1964 (up from 41 percent in
the early 1950's), they accounted for 61 percent of total profits (up from 53 percent in 1957),
nearly two-thirds of total advertising, 80 percent of magazine advertising, and nearly 90
percent of network TV advertising.
The data clearly show that the large firms control the bulk of the industry's assets and
profits. For example, as of the fourth quarter of 1964, 41 of the largest food manufacturing
companies, excluding alcoholic beverage companies, accounted for 47.9 percent of the
industry's assets and 54.1 percent of the profits after taxes. In contrast, companies with assets
of less than $5 million (30,842 firms) accounted for 27.8 percent of total assets and 17.7
percent of industry profits after taxes (see fig. 5).
55

The increase in overall concentration reflects the conglomerate growth trend of the largest
companies. Conglomerate diversification by the largest companies, accomplished almost
entirely through mergers and acquisitions, has led to these companies being the important
producers in nearly all individual food product industries. Just 50 large food manufacturers
occupied 70 percent of the top 4 positions of all of the individual food product industries in
1963. The percentage of top positions occupied by the largest companies is higher in the
larger and more concentrated of the individual product areas, and it has increased
substantially since 1954. In 1963, the 100 largest food manufacturers controlled 4 or more
of the 8 top positions in 70 percent of 116 food product classes; this was up from 50 percent
in 1954.
Figure 5. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS AND PROFITS AFTER TAXES, BY ASSET
SIZE, ALL FOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, EXCEPT ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES: FOURTH QUARTERS, 1964 (PERCENT OF TOTAL)

GRAPHIC - SEE IMAGE

Source:
56

Federal Trade Commission.

Concentration in individual food product industries is high and has increased over the
postwar period. At the 20 firm level, concentration either increased or stayed the same
between 1947 and 1958 in 80 percent of the food product industries. Concentration
increased most rapidly during the earlier part of the postwar period. Meatpacking has been
a major exception to the general increase.
The report shows that the largest food companies, starting from already dominant
positions, have used mergers to expand and further consolidate their positions. The 50
largest food manufacturers alone acquired some 985 companies between 1948 and 1965.
The value of assets of half of these acquisitions came to over $1.5 billion and accounted for
about a third of the acquiring companies' total asset growth. With the merger component of
growth removed, the share of assets controlled by the 50 largest firms in 1965 would have
been less than the share of assets controlled by the 50 largest in 1950.
Acquisition has been the principal instrument of large firm diversification. Nearly 90
percent of the new industries entered by 25 of the largest grocery product manufacturers
since 1950 were by means of acquisitions. An equally large percent of the top industry
positions gained by the largest food manufacturers were the result of acquisitions.
The report points out that product differentiation is a significant factor in the food
industries. Advantages in large scale product differentiation activities, particularly
advertising, are one of the forces associated with the rising merger rate.
Food advertising is increasing rapidly. In 1964 food manufacturing corporations spent
$1.4 billion on advertising; this was more than a threefold increase over 1950. Since World
War II food advertising has risen at a one-third faster rate than total advertising.
Food advertising is increasingly dominated by large corporations. While advertising
expenditures per dollar sales remained about constant for smaller corporations between 1947
and 1961, the large corporations increased their advertising-to-sales ratios more than 2½
times. In 1961 the advertising-to-sales ratio of the largest companies was 4 times as great
as the average for those with assets less than $1 million.
Advertising advantages of large companies pose an increasing barrier to entry by new
firms to the food manufacturing industries and
57
238-586 0-67--5

to the continued competitive viability of smaller established firms. Smaller firms are forced
to depend more on lower profit, undifferentiated customer-brand sales.
The report also measured the relationship between market concentration and the
profitability of large food manufacturers. The study revealed that profits are substantially
higher for those companies which sell in highly concentrated markets than for those selling
in competitively structured markets.
1965 Merger Report.--In addition to the industry studies described above, the Bureau of
Economics also released a statistical review of 1965 merger activity. This report shows that
acquisitions in various industries and businesses in 1965 totaled 1,893, as compared with
1,797 in 1964. Most of the acquisitions in 1965, as in other years, occurred in manufacturing
industries.
Chart 6
MERGERS IN MANUFACTURING AND MINING
1940-1965

GRAPHIC - SEE IMAGE

Source: Bureau of Economics, Federal Trade Commission.
*Large Firms represent companies with assets of $10 million and over.
58

The Bureau maintains an annual series of firm disappearances via merger in
manufacturing and mining which covers merger trends back to 1940, based on reports in two
financial services. Last year, mergers in the manufacturing-mining sector topped the 1,000
mark. In the mid-fifties, the number of firms acquired, according to this series, stood at
about 600 per year. In the early fifties the number ranged around 200 to 300 per year.
The report also noted a sharply rising trend in the rate at which large manufacturing and
mining concerns are being acquired. Large firms are defined as companies with assets of $10
million or more. There are a limited number of such large concerns in the economy but they
play an important role in management decisions regarding output, investment, prices,
technological innovations and other critical factors. Some 2,400 large manufacturing and
mining companies in the United States control in the aggregate over 80 percent of all
manufacturing and mining assets.
Over the last 5 years there has been a sharply rising trend in the frequency with which
large firms are acquired. In 1965 ninety-one large mergers were recorded. The acquired
assets of these companies totaled $3.8 billion, an increase of 38 percent over 1964. Over the
past 5 years, 1961-65, the number of "large" acquisitions has averaged 75 per year, with total
acquired assets averaging over $2.7 billion annually. Since 1948, a total of 811 large
manufacturing and mining concerns have been acquired.
Over the past 5 years, the share of manufacturing and mining mergers accounted for by
companies with assets in excess of $100 million has increased steadily. The 1965 percentage
is higher than that for any year since 1955, when this breakdown first became available.
Moreover, acquisition activity by firms of this size has increased sharply since 1961. In
1965, for example, firms with assets of $100 million or more accounted for 27 percent of the
1,008 recorded manufacturing and mining mergers, compared with only 17 percent of the
954 mergers recorded in 1961.
A substantial reduction proportionately in merger activity on the part of small firms has
taken place since 1961. Firms with assets of $10 million or less accounted for 45 percent of
manufacturing and mining mergers in 1961, compared with only 30 percent in 1965.
In 1965, as in preceding years, most acquisitions (82 percent)
59

were made by manufacturing companies with the remainder split between mining and other
companies. Among manufacturers, companies engaged in the production of electrical
machinery acquired the largest number of companies (117), followed by chemicals (89),
nonelectrical machinery (87), food and kindred products (86), fabricated metal products (63),
and transportation equipment (59). Firms in these 6 industry groups accounted for a total of
501 or almost 50 percent of mergers recorded during 1965.
Economic Evidence
The Division of Economic Evidence continued to concentrate its efforts primarily on
mergers. The Division reviews all mergers reported by major press and trade sources and
examines in depth those that appear to present a significant threat to competition.
Approximately 600 specific mergers were reviewed during the fiscal year 1966.
Investigations in depth were made of more than 60 mergers, an increase of approximately 25
percent over the previous year.
During fiscal 1966 conglomerate mergers were the most common type, particularly
product and market extension mergers. The Division concentrated its efforts to the fullest
extent possible on those industries where significant merger activity was occurring and where
it appeared that mergers threatened to bring about an adverse change in the industries'
structure and competitive behavior. Among the industries in which merger activity was
particularly noted and where the staff devoted considerable time and resources were grocery
products, textiles, plastics, machinery, automotive parts, apparel, chemicals, paper,
department stores and grocery retailing. Investigatory and other enforcement activities have
already tended to reduce the number and scope of mergers in a number of these industries.
During the fiscal year, the staff of the Division actively assisted the legal divisions in
conducting investigations involving price fixing and price discrimination, and at the end of
the year was studying such business practices as reciprocity and TV advertising discounts.
The staff assisted with 113 formal investigations, 19 compliance matters, 10 consent
negotiations, and 13 litigated cases during the year. It also assisted in reviewing certain false
and deceptive prac60

tice claims and in evaluating several trade practice conference proposals.
Financial Statistics
For the 20th consecutive year, the Division of Financial Statistics, in collaboration with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, produced four issues of the Quarterly Financial
Report for Manufacturing Corporations. In fiscal 1966 these reports included data for each
of 34 industry groups and 10 asset sizes of corporate manufacturers. For each industry group
and asset size there were published quarterly summaries containing estimates for 13 items
of income and retained earnings, 14 asset items, 16 items of liabilities and stockholders'
equity, and 43 financial and operating ratios. These estimates accounted for more than 97
percent of all manufacturing activity in the United States, more than half of all corporate
profits, and nearly one-third of the national income. Each summary is based on uniform,
confidential, quarterly financial statements collected from a probability sample of some
10,000 out of an estimated total of more than 200,000 active manufacturing corporations in
the United States. The following are a few highlights of the four quarterly summaries
published in fiscal year 1966.
The number of manufacturing corporations with assets of $1 billion and over increased
from 41 in 1965 to 52 in 1966. These 52 firms accounted for $132 billion or 36 percent of
the total assets of all manufacturing corporations, except newspapers, in the United States.
An additional 164 firms, each with assets in excess of $250 million, accounted for another
22 percent.
Sales of all corporate manufacturers (excluding newspapers) in 1965 totaled $492 billion,
or 11 percent above 1964. After tax profits for the year amounted to $27.5 billion, compared
with $23.2 billion in 1964 and $19.5 billion in 1963.
For the four quarters of calendar year 1965, the average annual rate of profit on
stockholders' equity, after taxes, was 13 percent, or the highest average rate since 1950.
Highest average annual rates of return on stockholders' equity, after taxes, in 1965 were
recorded by the producers of drugs (20.3 percent) and motor vehicles and equipment (19.5
percent) ; lowest rates were recorded by the makers
61

of paper and allied products (9.4 percent), bakery products (9.3 percent) and alcoholic
beverages (9.3 percent).
At the end of the second quarter of 1966, inventories of all corporate manufacturers
(except newspapers) were $91 billion, their net working capital $112 billion, and their total
assets more than $381 billion. Stockholders' equity amounted to $229 billion, of which $147
billion was retained earnings.
62

Chapter IX

FIELD OPERATIONS
The Bureau of Field Operations, with offices in 12 major cities, is charged with the responsibility
for investigating matters initiated and referred to it by the Commission and its enforcement Bureaus.
During the fiscal year, investigations were completed in 1,079 matters. In 311 investigations,
inquiry was made respecting practices designed to restrict and restrain trade; 761 involved false and
misleading advertising and other misleading and deceptive practices; 7 were aimed at deceptive
practices confined primarily to textile and fur products. The total number of formal investigations
completed decreased from the previous year by 17. However, the case production per man was
increased slightly through a more efficient utilization of fewer attorneys. Field office attorneys
disposed of 124 matters through the use of voluntary compliance procedures at the investigative
stage as promptly as it had been determined that the persons, firms or corporations involved had
violated the statutes. Additionally, 31 cases were settled through the initiation of consent settlement
by field attorneys. Both methods of handling resulted in an early and voluntary compliance with the
laws involved. By the use of these methods, the Commission's field attorneys were able to save
substantial time and expense to individuals, firms, and corporations involved and money and
manpower also was saved by the field staff.
At the end of fiscal 1965, the field offices had on hand 568 cases, and at the end of fiscal 1966
there were 726 cases pending or an increase of 27 percent. This increase was due primarily to a
reduction in the number of attorneys on the staff and an increase in the number of referrals to the
field offices. While the actual referral totalled 1,013 in fiscal 1965 there were 1,237 referrals in 1966
or an increase of 224 cases. During fiscal 1966 there was a total of 1,805 (568 + 1,237) cases of
which 1,079 were handled.
63

In addition to its normal investigative functions, the Bureau of Field Operations
conducted a number of special inquiries during the fiscal year. Among these was one
involving the use of unfair and deceptive practices and acts through which the poor or
poverty classes appeared to have been subjected to excessive charges and credit terms and
otherwise taken advantage of. In connection with this activity field offices have consulted
and cooperated with the Office of Economic Opportunity and its legal aid centers throughout
the United States. Through these offices residents of poverty areas have been informed of
remedies available to them through the Commission and its law enforcement activities.
Furthermore, these activities have provided the Commission with a continuous and
increasing understanding of the purchasing problems of the low income groups.
When it was brought to the attention of the Commission that a number of mail order
insurance companies were engaging in advertising designed to reach parents of servicemen
and in which the advertisers appeared to represent that they had some connection with the
insurance program of the armed services, a series of investigations were initiated (1) for the
purpose of determining whether any of the companies were engaged in practices violative
of statutes administered by the Commission, and (2) to determine whether additional
legislation was in order.
To learn how the business community is conforming its advertising to the provisions of
FTC's Guides Against Deceptive Advertising, the Commission directed that a survey of
pricing practices be undertaken. Attorneys in seven field offices were required to conduct
this survey during the fiscal year. It encompassed all questionable pricing practices
appearing in newspapers and other publications, as well as through the medium of radio and
television, and covered all types of products at all distributive levels. Two hundred and four
reports were received from field offices as a result of this survey. From these, 116 full-scale
investigations were ordered. Another 23 such reports were added to specific pricing
investigations already under consideration.
On May 3, 1966, the Commission adopted Tire Advertising Guides relating to prices.
These guides provide that the advertising of reductions in price and savings claims be based
on the actual selling
64

price of the tires in question in the trade area where the advertising representations are made.
In order to determine the nature and extent of compliance with these guides, the Commission
directed a survey in 12 metropolitan areas where its field attorneys are located in an effort
to determine firsthand the extent to which automobile tire dealers in those areas were
complying with the provisions of the Tire Advertising Guides. This survey was conducted
on a continuing basis during the last 60 days of the fiscal year, and it is expected that it will
be continued into fiscal 1967.
Among other special projects performed by the field offices was a survey conducted for
the purpose of determining whether the members of the automobile industry were complying
with the warranties advertised by manufacturers of new motor cars. This survey was
completed and submitted to the Commission. Further inquiry has been directed. The survey
was ordered primarily on the basis of hundreds of complaints which had been received by
the Commission.
In addition to its normal investigative duties and the special functions described
immediately above, the Bureau of Field Operations, through the approximately 155 attorneys
stationed in its strategically located field offices, engaged in an accelerated program designed
to educate businessmen, consumers, and the general public respecting the laws administered
by the Commission, and to aid them in complying with such laws and the decisions of the
Commission and the courts thereunder. In pursuing this activity, field office attorneys
furnished information, guidance, and answers to questions resulting from 10,625 contacts.
These included 6,410 telephone inquiries, 2,137 letters and other written communications,
and 1,945 personal conferences. In furtherance of its educational program, speakers from
its field offices were supplied to college classes, consumer groups, bar associations, trade
associations, and other similar groups. These speakers outlined the work of the Commission,
answered questions, and engaged in seminar-type discussions.
In the field of public relations and Federal-State cooperation, attorneys stationed in the
field offices made periodic visits to the offices of State attorneys general and local lawenforcement officers in cities and counties throughout the country. They maintained a
65

PHOTOGRAPH - INSERT IMAGE

A group the FTC works closely with in consumer protection laws are the various Better Business Bureaus throughout
the United States. Here you see an FTC attorney calling on one of the Better Business offices to discuss a matter of
mutual interest.

schedule of visits to Better Business Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, and other private and public
organizations and officials interested in law enforcement and in enlightening and informing the
public about the Commission's duties and functions.
66

Chapter X

APPROPRIATIONS AND
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THE COMMISSION FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR 1966
Funds available to the Commission for the fiscal year 1966 amounted to $13,862,500. Public Law
89-128 approved August 16, 1965, provided $13,550,000 and Public Law 89-426 approved May 13,
1966, provided $312,500.
Obligations by activities, fiscal year 1966
1. Antimonopoly:
Investigation and litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,937,000
Economic and financial reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 955,000
Trade practice conferences, industry guides, and small
business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244,000
2. Deceptive practices:
Investigation and litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,633,000
Trade practice conferences, industry guides, and small
business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 490,000
Textile and fur enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,272,000
3. Executive direction and management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325,000
4. Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 815,000
___________
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,671,000
Settlements Made Under Federal Tort Claims Act
During the fiscal year 1966 the Commission paid claims in the total of $174.77. No other claims
are pending for the same period.
67

Chapter XI

HEARING EXAMINERS
The number of cases handled by hearing examiners during fiscal 1966 reflects the Commission's
emphasis on the achievement of law observance by means other than formal litigation.
There were 71 cases on the hearing examiners' docket during fiscal 1966, compared to 100 in
fiscal 1965. With 37 cases on hand at the beginning of the year, 29 new cases were added; 5 others
were reopened or remanded; and 29 cases were disposed of, leaving 42 cases pending as of June 30,
1966. Casework during the year involved 307 days of evidentiary hearings or prehearing
conferences.
With the adjudicative caseload declining, the services of the hearing examiners were utilized in
a variety of other ways. In addition to their regular work, examiners undertook special assignments
for the Commission, sat as special masters in U.S. court of appeals proceedings, and handled cases
for several other Government agencies.
69

APPENDIX (A)
FTC Cases in the Courts
Following is a summary of the principal FTC cases before the courts during fiscal 1966, together
with a brief discussion of what is involved in each case or group of cases.
RESTRAINT OF TRADE CASES
Probably the most significant restraint of trade decision in fiscal 1966 was that rendered by the
Supreme Court in Brown Shoe Co. (D. 7606). In overturning the decision of the Eighth Circuit, the
Court upheld the Commission's finding that the operation of Brown's retail store franchise program
was an unfair method of competition within the meaning of section 5 of the Federal Trade
Commission Act. Under this method of distribution, selected shoe dealers were required to
"concentrate" their purchases upon Brown products in return for various valuable benefits and
services furnished under the program. In so deciding, the Court expressly rejected the restrictive
holding in Federal Trade Commission v. Gratz, and reemphasized the Commission's broad powers
under section 5 to arrest trade restraints in their incipiency, prior to becoming "full blown" violations
of other provisions of the antitrust laws.
In other restraint of trade cases, the Seventh Circuit affirmed the Commission's finding that Sun
Oil Co. (D. 6934) had unlawfully utilized "consignment" agreements to fix the retail price of
gasoline sold by its dealers. The Supreme Court denied certiorari in this case, and in a similar
"consignment" case decided last year in the Commission's favor by the Sixth Circuit, Atlantic
Refining Co. (D. 7471).
In Shell Oil Co.-Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (D. 6487), the Fifth Circuit, in line with the
Supreme Court's decision in Atlantic-Goodyear (D. 64,86), upheld the Commission's finding that
the "sales commission" method of distributing TBA products through independent retail gasoline
dealers was unlawful. A similar TBA proceeding, Texaco Inc.-B. F. Goodrich, Co. (D. 6485), is
presently pending in the District of Columbia Circuit on remand from the Supreme Court.
One important restraint of trade case was decided adversely to the Commission this year. In
American Cyanimid Co. (D. 7211), the Sixth Circuit set aside the Commission's finding of unlawful
conspiracy in the manufacture
71

and distribution of antibiotic drugs, and remanded the case to the Commission for a de novo
determination without the participation of Chairman Dixon who had been interested in the matter
as counsel for Senator Kefauver's antitrust committee in the U.S. Senate. The court agreed with the
Commission, however, that where a patent has been obtained through misrepresentation or improper
conduct in Patent Office proceedings, the Commission has jurisdiction to hold that the subsequent
use of such patent for the purpose of excluding competition is an unlawful restraint of trade, and that
in fashioning a remedy the Commission may order compulsory licensing of such patent upon a
reasonable royalty basis.
Restraint of trade cases pending at the close of the year included: Luria Bros. & Co. (D. 6156),
in the Third Circuit; Safeway Stores, Inc. (D. 8309), in the Ninth Circuit; and Emile M. Lapeyre
(Grand Caillou) (D. 7887), in the Fifth Circuit.
In the illegal merger field, the year's most significant decision occurred in Dean Foods Co. (D.
8674). In that case, the Supreme Court, in reversing the Seventh Circuit, held that Federal courts of
appeals have the power under the "all writs" statute to grant a preliminary injunction to maintain the
status quo between merging companies pending the outcome of a section 7 proceeding by the
Commission, where this step is necessary to preserve the existence of an effective remedy should
the merger be held illegal.
There were two adverse decisions in merger cases this year: In Procter & Gamble Co. (D. 6901),
the Sixth Circuit overturned the Commission's finding of illegality with regard to the acquisition by
Procter, the Nation's largest manufacturer of soaps, detergents, and cleansers, of Clorox Chemical
Co., the Nation's dominant manufacturer of household liquid bleach. This is the first conglomerate
merger case to raise the question in a court of appeals of whether a large national multiproduct firm
may expand into a closely related market hitherto composed of relatively small firms by acquiring
the dominant company. The Solicitor General is expected to file a petition for certiorari shortly. In
the celebrated Pillsbury merger case (D. 6000), the Fifth Circuit set aside the Commission's order
of divestiture and remanded the case to the Commission on the grounds that a congressional
committee had improperly intruded itself into the Commission's adjudicatory process in asking
certain questions and making certain statements during a 1955 congressional hearing. The
Commission subsequently directed dismissal of the complaint.
Merger cases pending at the year's end included: Beatrice Foods Co. (D 6653), in the Ninth
Circuit; and General Foods Corp. (D. 6600), in the Third Circuit.
There was much court activity in Robinson-Patman Act cases in fiscal 1966. In Borden Co. (D.
7129), the Supreme Court set aside the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' reversal of the Commission's
finding of price discrimination as between the company's sales of “private label” and “Borden brand”
evaporated milk. The Supreme Court held, in agreement with the
72

Commission, that since the two brands have identical physical properties they are of "like grade and
quality" within the meaning of section 2(a) of the Clayton Act. The case is currently pending on
remand in the court of appeals on the questions of injury, cost justification and scope of order.
The Commission won several price discrimination cases in courts of appeals this year: The
Seventh Circuit affirmed and enforced a Commission order directing Purolator Products, Inc. (D.
7850) to cease and desist from various price discriminations in the marketing of automotive
replacement filters. The Solicitor General has authorized the Commission to file a brief on its own
behalf in opposition to Purolator's petition for certiorari. In Forster Mfg. Co. (D. 7207), the First
Circuit sustained the Commission's finding that the company's price discriminations in the sale of
"woodenware" products were not made in "good faith" under section 2(b), and direct enforcement
of the Commission's cease and desist order. In a previous decision in fiscal 1965, the court had
upheld the Commission's finding that Forster, the dominant company in the industry, had
discriminated with the deliberate intention and with the effect of injuring its smaller competitors.
In another section 2(b) ruling, the District of Columbia Circuit, in Exquisite Form Brassiere, Inc. (D.
6966), similarly affirmed the Commission's finding that the company's systematic discriminations
in granting disproportional advertising allowances could not be justified under the "good faith"
defense.
In United Biscuit Co. (D. 7817), the Seventh Circuit upheld the Commission's finding that
discriminatory discounts given to food chainstores had unlawful anticompetitive effects upon
nonfavored independent grocers. And in Foremost Dairies, Inc. (D. 7475), the Fifth Circuit
sustained the Commission's finding of illegality on a similar charge involving sales of fluid milk.
The court also affirmed the Commission's holding that the "purchase in commerce" requirement of
section 2(a) had been satisfied in that case.
In cases where the Commission's decision was modified or partially won and partially lost, the
Ninth Circuit, in Fred Meyer, Inc. (D. 7492), affirmed the Commission's finding that a retail grocery
chain unlawfully induced discriminatory price concessions and promotional payments from
suppliers. But it held that the Commission erred in deciding that a supplier who grants promotional
allowances to a direct-buying retailer has an obligation to make such payments available on
proportionally equal terms to wholesalers whose retail customers compete with the favored
purchaser. In Flotill Products, Inc. (D. 7226), the same court upheld the Commission's finding that
the company violated section 2(d) in granting promotional allowances to favored customers. But
it overturned the Commission's section 2(c) finding on the grounds that the concurrence of at least
three members of a five-member agency is required for the entry of a valid order to cease and desist.
Since only two members of the three-Commissioner quorum which heard the case had joined in the
latter finding, the court remanded the proceeding to determine whether a majority of the
Commissioners desired to enter a 2(c) order.
73
238-586 0-67--6

The Commission also lost some Robinson-Patman cases in courts of appeals this year: In
Universal-Rundle Corp. (D. 8070), the Seventh Circuit refused to affirm the Commission's section
2(a) order and remanded the matter to the Commission with directions to institute an industry-wide
investigation into the discriminatory practices involved in that case. In Dayco Corp. (D. 7604), the
Sixth Circuit held that the Commission had improperly utilized "official notice," in holding a
manufacturer of automotive belts and hoses in violation of section 2(a) in selling at discriminatory
lower prices to an automotive parts "buying group." In Callaway Mills Co. (D. 7634) and Cabin
Crafts, Inc. (D. 7639), the Fifth Circuit set aside the Commission's findings that the discriminatory
volume discount pricing systems of these companies were not excusable under the section 2(b)
defense. And in Pacific Molasses Co. (D. 7462), the same court reversed the Commission's section
2(a) order on the grounds that the company had been denied due process in not being furnished with
a complete list of Commission witnesses and evidentiary documents 15 days prior to hearings, as
agreed between counsel at a prehearing conference.
Significant pending Robinson-Patman cases in the courts of appeals include: Alhambra Motor
Parts (D. 6889), in the Ninth Circuit; American Motors Corp. (D. 7357), in the Sixth Circuit; and
Dean Milk Co. (D. 8032) and Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Co. (D. 7908), in the Seventh Circuit.
DECEPTIVE PRACTICE CASES
In the most significant deceptive practice decision this year, Mary Carter Paint Co. (D. 8290),
the Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Fifth Circuit and upheld the Commission's finding
that the use of the word "free" in the company's price advertising of paint was misleading and
deceptive. Pursuant to the Court's mandate, the court of appeals has remanded the case to the
Commission for clarification of the order.
In Libby-Owens-Ford Glass Co. and General Motors Corp. (D. 7643), the Sixth Circuit affirmed
the Commission's holding that these companies had utilized deceptive "mock-up" demonstrations
in television advertising of "safety plate" auto glass. In Double Eagle Lubricants, Inc. (D. 8589),
the Tenth Circuit sustained the Commission's finding of failure to clearly and conspicuously disclose
on "re-refined" motor oil containers that the product was manufactured from previously used oil.
In J. A. Guziak (D. 8614), the Eighth Circuit affirmed the Commission's finding of misrepresentation
in the advertising and sale of aluminum siding materials.
As in prior years, the Commission's efforts to eradicate deceptive practices in the watch industry
continued to receive court approval. The Commission was affirmed by the District of Columbia
Circuit in Waltham Watch Co. (D. 8396), and by the Eighth Circuit in Benrus Watch Co. (D. 7352).
In another familiar area of Commission activity, the Seventh Circuit, in Bear
74

Sales Co. (D. 8627), affirmed and enforced a Commission order directed against a "typical 'push
card' merchandising operation.”
Two important cases involving misleading medical claims were pending in the Sixth Circuit at
the close of the fiscal year: J. B. Williams Co. (D. 8547), the tonic "Geritol"; and Merck Co. (D.
8635), "Sucrets" throat lozenges.
CRIMINAL CONTEMPT PROCEEDING
In litigation arising from the Commission's Holland Furnace (D. 6203) criminal contempt
proceeding in the Seventh Circuit, the Supreme Court granted a petition for certiorari filed by
Holland's former president, Mr. Cheff. It rejected his contention that he was unlawfully denied the
right to trial by jury and affirmed the judgment of the court of appeals sentencing him to 6 months'
imprisonment for willfully violating that court's order commanding obedience to the Commission's
order to cease and desist from various deceptive practices in the sale of furnaces and furnace parts.
COLLATERAL SUITS AGAINST THE COMMISSION FOR
INJUNCTIVE AND OTHER RELIEF
In American Brake Shoe Co. (D. 8622), complaint was filed in the district court in Delaware for
declaratory judgment or injunctive relief challenging the Commission's failure to permit requested
discovery procedures prior to the presentation of evidence in support of the Commission's case. The
company's application for preliminary injunction was denied and its interlocutory appeal from this
ruling was dismissed on stipulation by the Third Circuit. The case is currently pending in the district
court on motion to dismiss or in the alternative for summary judgment.
In National Portland Cement Co. (D. 8654), suit was brought in the district court in the District
of Columbia to enjoin the Commission's refusal to set aside a hearing examiner's ruling directing
consolidation of two section 7 proceedings for partial joint hearings for the purpose of receiving
evidence common to both cases. The court granted the Commission's motion to dismiss for lack of
jurisdiction. The same district court also dismissed for lack of jurisdiction a complaint filed by R.
H. Macy & Co. (D. 8650), challenging the Commission's refusal to issue requested subpenas in a
case involving mislabeling of imported mohair sweaters.
Beatrice Foods Co. and The Kroger Co. (D. 8663) filed a complaint for declaratory judgment and
injunctive relief in the District of Columbia district court challenging the Commission's right to
discovery after the issuance of its administrative complaint. The court's dismissal of the action for
want of equity was affirmed on appeal to the District of Columbia Circuit.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the judgment of the federal district court for the Eastern District of
Missouri dismissing for want of jurisdiction a complaint for declaratory judgment and injunctive
relief filed by Anheuser75

Busch, Inc. (File 611 0155). The company has been unwilling to furnish certain production data
called for in a subpena issued in connection with a Commission investigation of alleged
discriminatory practices and other trade restraints in the distribution of yeast. (See subpena
enforcement cases, infra.)
The Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas dismissed a complaint for lack of
jurisdiction filed by Frito-Lay, Inc. (D. 8606), challenging certain interlocutory rulings of the
Commission and the hearing examiner in a section 7 case. The company has appealed to the Fifth
Circuit.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a motion for preliminary
injunction filed by Sperry & Hutchinson Co. (D. 8671), in an action brought to restrain the
Commission from commencing initial hearings in a proceeding involving alleged illegalities in the
use of S. & H. trading stamps. The company's complaint was subsequently dismissed by stipulation.
A complaint for declaratory judgment and injunction filed by Puritan Fashions Co. and Reliance
Mfg. Co. (Files 621 0552 and 621 0517) remained pending in the Federal District Court for the
District of Columbia on the Commission's motion to dismiss or in the alternative for summary
judgment. This action seeks to nullify section 6(b) orders of the Commission directing the filing of
special reports on the grounds that such reports were not "cleared" with the Bureau of the Budget
under the Federal Reports Act.
Pending in the District Court for the Southern District of New York is a recent complaint for
declaratory judgment and injunctive relief filed by Best & Co. (D. 8669). The company alleges that
Commission counsel failed to comply with a prehearing order, and that it was unlawfully refused the
issuance of certain subpenas and denied the opportunity to take certain depositions.
SUITS TO COMPEL COMPLIANCE WITH COMMISSION
ORDERS AND SUBPENAS
In Jantzen, Inc. (D. 7247), the Ninth Circuit rejected the Commission's application for affirmance
and enforcement of its 1958 Clayton Act order for lack of jurisdiction. The court ruled that
Congress, in enacting the 1959 amendment to the Clayton Act to establish more effective "finality"
and order enforcement machinery, repealed the old procedures for affirming and enforcing
previously issued Clayton Act orders. The Solicitor General will shortly file petition for certiorari.
A similar question is involved in the Commission's application for enforcement of its order in
Standard Motor Products, Inc. (D. 5721), pending in the Second Circuit.
In a subpena enforcement proceeding growing out of the Commission's yeast investigation, the
District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered compliance with a Commission
subpena on the part of Mr. Harry W.
76

Green, a vice president of Standard Brands, Inc. (File 611 0155). The court also refused to issue a
protective order with regard to certain production data alleged to constitute a "trade secret." The
Commission has also recently applied in the district court in St. Louis for enforcement of a subpena
directed to Messrs. Paul C. Guignon and John H. Pahlman, officials of Anheuser-Busch, Inc. (File
611 0155), requesting similar yeast production data.
In Associated Merchandising Corp. (D. 8651), application was filed in the Southern District of
New York to enforce an order requiring the production of documentary evidence in an adjudicatory
proceeding. Although this is the first occasion that enforcement of this particular type of order has
been sought, the Commission believes that the general principles which govern enforcement of
subpenas and section 6(b) reports are applicable. The matter is currently pending on motion to
dismiss.
77

APPENDIX (B)
Textile and Fur Court Cases
In the pretrial pleading in R. H. Macy & Co., Inc., Docket 8650, counsel for the respondent
requested the Hearing Examiner for subpoenas duces tecum and ad testificandum requiring Henry
D. Stringer, Director, Bureau of Textiles and Furs, Charles F. Canavan, Assistant Director, and
Eugene H. Strayhorn, Chief, Division of Enforcement, to testify, and a subpoena duces tecum
requiring Joseph W. Shea, the Commission Secretary, to appear and produce certain Commission
documents. The Hearing Examiner certified the request of the Commission for instruction and the
Commission directed the Hearing Examiner not to issue the subpenas.
The counsel for the respondent then filed a complaint for a declaratory judgment and injunctive
relief in the District Court for the District of Columbia, Civil Action No. 2707-65. The district court
considered the matter and dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.
In April 1966, the Commission proceeded against Louis Leeds, an individual trading as Leeds
Manufacturing and petitioned the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for a
temporary restraining order and injunction to prevent the sale and shipment of dangerously
flammable sweaters under the Flammable Fabrics Act, No. 66 Civ. 1158. The restraining order was
issued and no objection was made by the defendant to the issuance of the temporary injunction.

79

APPENDIX (C)
Bureau of Textiles and Furs
Civil Penalty and Criminal Cases
During fiscal 1966 judgments totaling $36,000 were entered in three civil penalty cases, one of
which included an injunction against further violation of the Commission's order. Two criminal
proceedings were concluded with fines totaling $8500.

Penalty Cases Statistics
Pending July 1, 1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filed during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total for disposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposed of during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pending June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
3
______
7
3
______
4

Criminal Cases Statistics
Pending July 1, 1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filed during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2
1

Total for disposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposed of during year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3
2

Pending June 30, 1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Civil Penalty Cases Concluded
Einiger Mills, Inc. (Dist. Mass.). Misbranding wool products, fabrics. Judgment for $30,000
and injunction.
H. M. Prince Textiles, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.). Misbranding wool products, fabrics. Judgment for
$1000. (Notice of Appeal filed by defendant.)
Raymond's Inc. (Dist. Mass.). False advertising and false invoicing of fur products and failure
to maintain required records. Judgment for $5000.
Civil Penalty Cases Pending
Woody Fashions, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.). Misbranding wool products, coats.
81

Asheville Textile Corp. (S.D.N.Y.). Misbranding and false invoicing of wool products, imported
fabrics.
Stone & Stone, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.). Misbranding and false invoicing of fur products.
Waterville Woolen Mills, Inc. (D. Maine, So. Div.). Misbranding and false invoicing of wool
products, fabrics.
Criminal Cases Concluded
Radley Furs, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.). Misbranding fur products, one officer fined $3500. Another fined
$1000, remitted.
Hargo Woolen Mills (Dist. N.H.). Misbranding wool products. Corporation fined $4000 on one
count. Placed on probation as to 17 counts, with imposition of sentence suspended.
Criminal Cases Pending
Stone & Stone, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.). Misbranding and false invoicing of fur products.
82

General Investigations by the Commission
Since 1915
Since its establishment in 1915, the Federal Trade Commission has conducted numerous general
inquiries which are alphabetically listed and briefly described in the following pages.1 They were made at
the request of the President, the Congress, the Attorney General, Government agencies, or on motion of the
Commission pursuant to the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Reports on these inquiries in many instances have been published as Senate or House documents or as
Commission publications. Printed documents, unless indicated as being out of print,2 may be purchased from
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Processed publications
are available without charge from the Federal Trade Commission while the supply lasts.
Agencies initiating or requesting investigations are indicated in parentheses in the headings.
Investigations, the results of which have been published, are listed below. Following this listing are
unpublished investigations conducted by the Commission.
Accounting Systems (F.T.C.).—Pointing the way to a general improvement in accounting practices, the
Commission, published Fundamentals of a Cost System for Manufacturers (H. Doc. 1356, 64th, 31 p., o.p.,
7/l/16) and A System of Accounts for Retail Merchants (19 p., o.p., 7/15/16).
Accounting Systems.—See Distribution Cost Accounting.
Advertising and Output.—See Cigarette Advertising and Output.
Advertising as a Factor in Distribution.— See Distribution Methods and Costs.
Agricultural Implements.—See Farm Implements and Distribution Methods and Costs.
Agricultural Implements and Machinery (Congress).3—Prices of farm products reached record lows in
1932 but prices of many farm implements, machines, and repair parts maintained high levels resulting in
widespread complaints in the next few years. The Commission investigated the situation (Public Res. 130,
74th, 6/24/36) and, following submission of its report, Agricultural Implement and Machinery Industry (H.
Doc. 702, 75th, 1,176 p., 6/6/38, o.p.), the industry made substantial price reductions. The report criticized
certain competitive practices on the part of the dominant companies which the companies later promised to
remedy. It showed, among other things, that a few major companies had maintained a concentration of
control which resulted in large part from their acquisition of the capital stock or assets of competitors prior
to enactment of the Clayton Antitrust Act in 1914 and thereafter from their pur________________
1

The wartime cost-finding inquiries, 1917-18 (p. 122), include approximately 370 separate investigations.
Documents out of print (designated "o.p.") are available in depository libraries.
3
Inquiries desired by either House of Congress are now undertaken by the Commission as a result of concurrent
resolutions of both Houses.
2

83

chase of assets of competitors rather than capital stock.4 (See also under Farm Implements and Independent
Harvester Co.)
Agricultural Income (Congress).—Investigating a decline in agricultural income and increases or
decreases in the income of corporations manufacturing and distributing wheat, cotton, tobacco, livestock,
milk, and potato products (Public Res. 61, 74th, 8/27/35), and table and juice grapes, fresh fruits and
vegetables (Public Res. 112, 74th, 6/20/36), the Commission made recommendations concerning, among
other things, the marketing of commodities covered by the inquiry; corporate consolidations and mergers;5
unbalanced agricultural-industrial relations; cooperative associations; production financing; transportation;
and terminal markets. Its recommendations for improvement of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities
Act were adopted by Congress in amending that act (Public, 328, 75th) in 1937. [Report of the F.T.C. on
Agricultural Income Inquiry, Part I, Principal Farm Products, 1,134 p., o.p. 3/2/37 (summary, conclusions,
and recommendations, S. Doc. 54, 75th, 40 p., o.p.); Part II, Fruits, Vegetables, and Grapes, 906 p., 6/10/37,
o.p.; Part III, Supplementary Report, 154 p., 11/8/37; and interim reports of 12/26/35 (H. Doc. 380, 74th, 6
p.), and 2/l/37 (S. Doc. 17, 75th, 16 p., o.p.).]
Agricultural Prices.—See Price Deflation.
Antibiotics Manufacture (F.T.C.).—Because of the rising importance and the cost of antibiotic drugs,
and the lack of published information on their production, a Commission resolution of July 13, 1956,
authorized the study which appeared as Economic Report on Antibiotics Manufacture (361 p., 6/27/58). This
volume covered the origin and history of the industry, the companies manufacturing antibiotics, production
processes, marketing, prices, costs, profits, patents and trademarks, and public health aspects.
Automobiles.—See Distribution Methods and Costs, and Motor Vehicles.
Automotive Tires.—See Tires, Manufacture and Distribution of.
Bakeries and Bread.—See under Food.
Beet Sugar.—See under Food—Sugar.
Building Materials.—See Distribution Methods and Costs.
Calcium Arsenate (Senate).—High prices of calcium arsenate, a poison used to destroy the cotton boll
weevil (S. Res. 417, 67th, 1/23/23), appeared to be due to sudden increased demand rather than trade
restraints (Calcium Arsenate Industry, S. Doc. 345, 67th, 21 p., o.p., 3/3/23).
Canned Fruit, Juice and Vegetable Industry.—See Food Marketing, Part III.
Cartels.—See paragraphs headed Copper Industry, International Phosphate Cartels, Sulphur Industry,
International Electrical Equipment Cartel, International Steel Cartels, Fertilizer (F.T.C.), International
Petroleum Cartels, and International Alkali Cartels.
Cement (F.T.C.).—In its Economic Report on Mergers and Vertical Integration in the Cement Industry,
the Commission reviews recent developments in the cement and ready mixed concrete industries in the
United States with particular reference to the merger movement which has brought about a large degree of
vertical integration between two industries. The report develops data on trends in the structure and
performance of
____________
4

Conditions With Respect to the Sale and Distribution of Milk and Dairy Products (H. Doc. 94, 75th, 1/4/37), p. 38; Report
of the F.T.C. on Agricultural Income Inquiry, Part 1 (3/2/37), p. 26; Agricultural Implement and Machinery Industry (H. Doc. 702,
75th, 6/6/39), p. 1038; The Present Trend of Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions (3/7/47); The Merger Movement: A Summary
Report (1948); and F.T.C. Annual Reports: 1938, pp. 19 and 29; 1939, p. 14; 1940, p. 12; 1941, p. 19; 1942, p. 9; 1943, p. 9; 1944,
p. 7; 1945, p. 8; 1946, p. 12; 1947, p. 12; and 1948, p. 11.
5
See footnote 4 above.

84

cement manufacturing and processing industries. It examines the possible competitive consequences of
market extension and vertical mergers. (123 p., April 1966.)
Cement (Senate).—Inquiry into the cement industry's competitive conditions and distributing processes
(S. Res. 448, 71st, 2/16/31) showed that rigid application of the multiple basing-point price system6 tended
to lessen price competition and destroy the value of sealed bids; concerted activities of manufacturers and
dealers strengthened the system's price effectiveness; and dealer associations' practices were designed to
restrict sales to recognized "legitimate" dealers (Cement Industry, S. Doc. 71, 73d, 160 p., o.p., 6/9/33).
Cents-Off.—See Coffee Industry.
Chain Stores (Senate). —Practically every phase of chain-store operation was covered (S. Res. 224, 70th,
5/5/28), including cooperative chains, chain-store manufacturing and wholesale business, leaders and loss
leaders, private brands, short weighing and overweighing and sales, costs, profits, wages, special discounts
and allowances, and prices and margins of chain and independent grocery and drug distributors in selected
cities. (For subtitles of 33 reports published under the general title, Chain Stores, 1931-33, see F.T.C.
Annual Report, 1941, p. 201.)
In the Final Report on the Chain-Store Investigation (S. Doc. 4, 74th, 110 p., o.p., 12/14/34), legal
remedies available to combat monopolistic tendencies in chain-store development were discussed.7 The
Commission's recommendations pointed the way to subsequent enactment of the Robinson-Patman Act
(1936) prohibiting price and other discriminations, and the Wheeler-Lea Act (1938) which amended the
Federal Trade Commission Act so as to broaden the prohibition of unfair methods of competition in section
5 to include unfair or deceptive acts or practices in interstate commerce.
Cigarette Advertising and Output (F.T.C.). —This report was prepared in conjunction with the
Commission's Rule Making proceedings regarding cigarette advertising. It reviewed the content of cigarette
advertising together with related data on advertising expenditures and output. Particular emphasis was given
to advertising patterns and practices from 1950 through 1964. Data from public sources were used. (Report
on Cigarette Advertising and Output, 56 p., January 1964.)
Cigarette Shortage (F.T.C. and Senate Interstate Commerce Committee Chairman), Wartime, 194445.—In response to complaints from the public and a request from the Chairman of the Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee (letter dated 12/l/44), the Commission investigated the cigarette shortage and reported,
among other things that the scarcity was directly traceable to the large volume of cigarettes moving to the
armed forces and the Allies; that it was not attributable to violations of laws administered by the
Commission; but that certain undesirable practices such as hoarding and tie-in sales had developed. Report
of the F.T.C. on the Cigarette Shortage, 33 pages, processed, o.p., 2/13/45.)
Coal (Congress and F.T.C., Wartime, 1917-18, Etc. --From 1916 through the first World War period and
afterward, the Commission at different times investigated anthracite and bituminous coal prices and the coal
industry's financial condition. Resulting cost and price reports are believed to have substantially benefited
the consumer. Among the published reports were: Anthracite Coal Prices, preliminary (S. Doc. 19, 65th, 4
p., o.p., 5/4/17); Preliminary Report by the F.T.C. on the Production and Distribution of Bituminous Coal
(H. Doc. 152, 65th, 8 p., o.p., 5/19/17); Anthracite and Bituminous Coal Situation, summary (H. Doc. 193,
65th, 29 p., o.p., 6/19/17); and Anthracite and Bituminous Coal (S. Doc. 50, 65th, 420 p., o.p., 6/19/17)-pursuant to S. Res. 217, 64th 2/22/16; H. Res. 352, 64th, 8/18/16, and S. Res. 51, 65th, 5/l/17;
______________
6

Basing-point systems are also discussed in the published reports listed herein under "Price Bases," "Steel Code," and "Steel
Sheet Piling."
7
See footnote 4.

85

Washington, D.C., Retail Coal Situation (5 p., release, processed, o.p., 8/11/17)--pursuant to F.T.C. motion;
Investment and Profit in Soft-Coal Mining (two parts, 5/31/22 and 7/6/22, 218 p., o.p., S. Doc. 207,
65th)—pursuant to F.T.C. motion; and Report of the F.T.C. on Premium Prices of Anthracite (97 p., o.p.,
7/6/25)—pursuant to F.T.C. motion.
Coal, Cost of Production (F.T.C.), Wartime, 1917-18.—President Wilson fixed coal prices by Executive
order under the Lever Act (1917) on the basis of information furnished by the Commission. For use of the
U.S. Fuel Administration in continuing price control, the Commission compiled monthly cost production
reports, collecting cost records for 1917-18 for about 99 percent of the anthracite and 95 percent of the
bituminous coal production (Cost Reports of the F.T.C.—Coal, 6/30/19, summarized for principal coalproducing States or regions: (1) Pennsylvania, bituminous, 103 p., o.p.; (2) Pennsylvania, anthracite, 145
p., o.p.; (3) Illinois, bituminous, 127 p., o.p.; (4) Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, bituminous, 210 p.,
o.p.; (5) Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, bituminous, 288 p., o.p.; (6) Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia,
bituminous, 286 p., o.p.; and (7) trans-Mississippi States, bituminous, 459 p., o.p.).
Coal, Current Monthly Reports (F.T.C.).—The Commission (December 1919) initiated a system of
current monthly returns from the soft coal industry similar to those compiled during the World War, 1917-18
(Coal-Monthly Reports on Cost of Production, 4/20/20 to 10/30/20, Nos. 1 to 6, and two quarterly reports
with revised costs, 8/25/20 and 12/6/20, processed, o.p.). An injunction to prevent the calling for the monthly
reports (denied about 7 years later) led to their abandonment.
Coffee (F.T.C.).—In its 1954 Economic Report of the Investigation of Coffee Prices, the Commission
reported that the coffee price spiral of 1953-54 "cannot be explained in terms of the competitive laws of
supply and demand." The report lists and discusses six major factors responsible for the price spiral, and
recommends Congressional action to correct some of the "market imperfections" and "irregularities" found.
(523 pp., 7/30/54.)
Coffee Industry (F.T.C.).—The coffee industry is characterized by widespread advertising and
promotional activity. In 1963, coffee ranked as the third most heavily advertised food product, exceeded only
by cereals and soft drinks. Coffee advertising expenditures have risen sharply in recent years, increasing 26
percent from 1958 to 1963.
Trade publications indicate that cents-off promotions were first used widely in the coffee industry about
1958 or 1959 by large nationwide sellers as a means of achieving a larger share of those local markets which
were dominated by local firms.
In order to gain information concerning "cents-off" promotion practices during 1964 and 1965, the
Commission staff conducted a limited survey of a group of the large- and medium-size coffee companies.
(Cents-Off Promotions in the Coffee Industry, 65 p., April 26, 1966.)
Combed Cotton Yarns.—See Textiles.
Commercial Bribery (F.T.C.).—Investigating the prevalence of bribery of customers' employees as a
means of obtaining trade, the Commission published A Special Report on Commercial Bribery (H. Doc.
1107, 65th, 3 p., o.p., 5/15/18), recommending legislation striking at this practice; Commercial Bribery (S.
Doc. unnumbered, 65th, 36 p., o.p., 8/22/18); and Commercial Bribery (S. Doc. 258, 66th, 7 p., o.p., 3/18/20).
Concentration in Manufacturing, Changes in, 1935 to 1947 and 1950 (F.T.C.).—This 153-page report
shows that, on the basis of a study of the top 200 companies, concentration in American manufacturing was
2.8 percentage points higher in 1950 than in 1935. The report explores the reasons for the changes in
recorded concentration in individual industries.
Concentration of Productive Facilities (F.T.C.).—In a study of the extent of concentration of economic
power, the Commission reported that 46 percent of the total
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net capital assets of all manufacturing corporations in the United States in 1947 was concentrated in the 113
largest manufacturers. The report is entitled The Concentration of Productive Facilities, 1947--Total
Manufacturing and 26 Selected Industries (96 p.). See also Divergence between Plant and Company
Concentration.
Control of Iron Ore (F.T.C.).—A study of the concentration of iron ore supplies covers the sources and
consumption of iron ore in 1948, an estimate of reserves available to major companies and an analysis of
effect of possible shortage on big and small companies. The Control of Iron Ore, o.p. (1952.).
Cooperation in American Export Trade.—See Foreign Trade.
Cooperation in Foreign Countries (F.T.C.).—Inquiries made by the Commission regarding the
cooperative movement in 15 European countries resulted in a report, Cooperation in Foreign Countries (S.
Doc. 171, 68th, 202 p., o.p., 11/29/24), recommending further development of cooperation in the United
States.
Cooperative Marketing (Senate).—This inquiry (S. Res. 34, 69th 3/17/25) covered the development of
the cooperative movement in the U.S. and illegal interferences with the formation and operation of
cooperatives; and a comparative study of costs, prices, and marketing methods (Cooperative Marketing, S.
Doc. 95, 70th, 721 p., o.p., 4/30/28).
Copper.—See Wartime Cost Finding, 1917-18.
Copper Industry (F.T.C.).—The Commission's report on The Copper Industry, transmitted to Congress
(3/11/47), was in two parts: Part I-The Copper Industry of the United States and International Copper
Cartels, and Part II-Concentration and Control by the Three Dominant Companies, o.p. The Commission
reported that "The copper situation is particularly serious, not only because of the concentration of control
of the ore reserves and of the productive capacity, but also because the domestic supply is inadequate to meet
the demands of high level national production and employment. Furthermore, the production of foreign
copper, on which the United States will become increasingly dependent, is likewise dominated by a few
corporate groups which in the past have operated cooperatively in cartels to regulate production and prices."
Corporation Reports.—See Quarterly Financial Reports.
Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions (F.T.C.).—To determine the impact on the Nation's economy of
corporate mergers and acquisitions, the Commission made a study of the merger movement for the years
1940-46, inclusive. The results of the study were transmitted to Congress in a report entitled The Present
Trend of Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions (23 p., o.p., 3/7/47), which showed, among other things, that
during the period covered, more than 1,800 formerly independent competitive firms in manufacturing and
mining industries alone had disappeared as a result of mergers or acquisitions, and that more than one-third
of the total number of acquisitions occurred in only three industries, food, nonelectrical machinery, and
textiles and apparel—all predominantly "small business" fields.
In 1948 the Commission published The Merger Movement: A Summary Report (134 p., o.p., also 7 p.
processed summary). In this report the legal history of the antimerger provisions of the Clayton Act is
reviewed. Significant individual mergers are examined in detail. Maps, diagrams, charts and tabular
statistical materials are used to illustrate the economic effects of the then in force antimerger legislation.
The Report on Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions (210 p.) was published in May 1955. This study,
bringing up to date much of the statistical material in the 1947 and 1948 reports, showed, among other things,
that 1,773 formerly independent competitive firms in manufacturing and mining industries alone had
disappeared in the period 1947-54 as a result of mergers or acquisitions, and that more than one-third of the
total number of acquisitions occurred in only 3 industries, food, nonelectrical machinery, and textiles and
apparel—all predominantly small business fields.
Cost Accounting.—See Accounting Systems.
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Cost of Living (President), Wartime, 1917-18.—Delegates from the various States met in Washington,
April 30 and May 1, 1917, at the request of the Federal Trade Commission, and considered the rapid rise of
wartime prices and the plans then being made for the Commission's general investigation of foodstuffs. [See
Foods (President), Wartime, 1917-18, herein.] Proceedings of the conference were published (High Cost of
Living, 119 p., o.p.).
Cotton Industry.—See Textiles.
Cottonseed Industry (House).—Investigating alleged price fixing (H. Res. 439, 69th, 3/2/27), the
Commission reported evidence of cooperation among State associations but no indication that cottonseed
crushers or refineries had fixed prices in violation of the antitrust laws (Cottonseed Industry, H. Doc. 193,
70th, 37 p., o.p. 3/5/28).
Cottonseed Industry (Senate).—Two resolutions (S. Res. 136, 10/21/29, and S. Res. 147, 11/2/29—71st)
directed the Commission to determine whether alleged unlawful combinations of cottonseed oil mill
corporations sought to lower and fix prices of cottonseed and to sell cottonseed meal at a fixed price under
boycott threat; and whether such corporations acquired control of cotton gins to destroy competitive markets
and depress or control prices paid to seed producers (Investigation of the Cottonseed Industry, preliminary
report, S. Doc. 91, 71st, 4 p., o.p., 2/28/30, and final report, 207 p., o.p., with 11 vols. testimony, S. Doc. 209,
71st, 5/19/33).
Distribution Cost Accounting (F.T.C.).—To provide a guide for current legislation and determine ways
for improving accounting methods, the Commission studied distribution cost accounting in connection with
selling, warehousing, handling, delivery, credit and collection (Case Studies in Distribution Cost Accounting
for Manufacturing and Wholesaling, H. Doc. 287, 77th, 215 p., o.p., 6/23/41).
Distribution.- See Millinery Distribution.
Distribution of Steel Consumption.—A study to determine the distribution of steel in a time of shortage,
when control over distribution rests with the producers (1949-50). The results of the study were transmitted
to the Subcommittee on Monopoly of the Senate Select Committee on Small Business and published as a
committee print. (20p) o.p., 3/31/52.
Distribution Methods and Costs (F.T.C.).—This inquiry into methods and costs of distributing important
consumer commodities (F.T.C. Res., 6/27/40) was undertaken by the Commission pursuant to authority
conferred upon it by section 6 of the F.T.C. Act. Eight parts of the F.T.C. Report on Distribution Methods
and Costs were transmitted to Congress and published under the subtitles: Part I, Important Food Products
(11/11/43, 223 p., o.p.); Part III, Building Materials—Lumber, Paints and Varnishes, and Portland Cement
(2/19/44, 50 p., o.p.); Part IV, Petroleum Products, Automobiles, Rubber Tires and Tubes, Electrical
Household Appliances, and Agricultural Implements (3/2/44, 189 p., o.p.); Part V, Advertising as a Factor
in Distribution (10/30/44, 50 p., o.p.); Part VI, Milk Distribution, Prices, Spreads and Profits (6/18/45, 58
p.); Part VII, Cost of Production and Distribution of Fish in the Great Lakes Area (6/30/45, 59 p.); Part VIII,
Cost of Production and Distribution of Fish in New England (6/30/45, 118 p.); and Part IX, Cost of
Production and Distribution of Fish on the Pacific Coast (7/25/46, 82 p.). The inquiries relating to fish were
conducted in cooperation with the Coordinator of Fisheries, Interior Department. During World War II
special reports on the distribution of some 20 commodity groups were made for confidential use of the Office
of Price Administration and other war agencies.
Divergence Between Plant and Company Concentration (F.T.C.).—In this 1950 report, the Commission
measured the divergence between plant and company concentration for each of 340 manufacturing industries.
The Divergence between Plant and Company Concentration, 1947 (162 p., o.p.). See also Concentration
of Productive Facilities.
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Du Pont Investments (F.T.C.). —The Report of the F.T.C. on Du Pont Investments (F.T.C. motion
7/29/27; report, 46 p., o.p. processed, 2/1/29) discussed reported acquisition by E. I. du Pont de Nemours &
Co. of U.S. Steel Corp. stock, together with previously reported holdings in General Motors Corp.
Electric and Gas Utilities, and Electric Power. —See Power.
Farm Implements (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—The Report of the F.T.C. on the Causes of High Prices
of Farm Implements (inquiry under S. Res. 223; 65th, 5/13/18; report, 713 p., o.p., 5/4/20) disclosed
numerous trade combinations for advancing prices and declared the consent decree for dissolution of
International Harvester Co. to be inadequate. The Commission recommended revision of the decree and the
Department of Justice proceeded to that end.
Farm Implements (F.T.C.).—A 1948 report on the Manufacture and Distribution of Farm Implements
(160 p., also 8 p. processed summary) concerns the production and distribution policies of large
manufacturers of farm machinery. The report includes information respecting important developments and
trends in the industry.
Feeds, Commercial (Senate).—Seeking to determine whether purported combinations in restraint of trade
existed (S. Res. 140, 66th, 7/31/19), the Commission found that although some association activities were
in restraint of trade, there were no substantial antitrust violations (Report of the F.T.C. on Commercial Feeds,
206 p., o.p., 3/29/21.
Fertilizer (Senate).—Begun by the Commissioner of Corporations8 (S. Res. 487, 62d, 3/l/13), this inquiry
disclosed extensive use of bogus independent fertilizer companies for competitive purposes (Fertilizer
Industry, S., Doc. 551, 64th, 269 p., o.p., 8/19/16). Agreements for abolition of such unfair competition were
reached.
Fertilizer (Senate).—A second fertilizer inquiry (S. Res. 307, 67th, 6/17/22) developed that active
competition generally prevailed in that industry in the U.S., although in some foreign countries combinations
controlled certain important raw materials. The Commission recommended improved agricultural credits
and more extended cooperation by farmers in buying fertilizer (Fertilizer Industry, S. Doc. 347, 67th, 87 p.,
o.p., 3/3/23).
Fertilizer (F.T.C.).—The Commission's 1949 report on The Fertilizer Industry (100 p.) is concerned
primarily with restrictions and wastes which interfere with the supply of plant food materials in the quantities
needed and at prices low enough to facilitate maintenance of soil fertility. The Nation's resources of
nitrogen, phosphate, and potash are discussed, and the inter-relationships of producers and mixers are
reviewed. The report also summarizes available information concerning cartel control of nitrogen,
phosphates, and potash.
Fish.—See Distribution Methods and Costs.
Flags (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—Unprecedented increases in the prices of U.S. flags in 1917, due
to wartime demand, were investigated (S. Res. 35, 65th, 4/16/17). The inquiry was reported in Prices of
American Flags (S. Doc. 82, 65th, 6 p., o.p., 7/26/17).
Flour Milling.—See Food, below.
Food (President), Wartime, 1917-18. —President Wilson, as a wartime emergency measure (2/7/17),
directed the Commission "to investigate and report the facts relating to the production, ownership,
manufacture, storage, and distribution of foodstuffs" and "to ascertain the facts bearing on alleged violations
of the antitrust acts." Two major series of reports related to meat packing and the grain trade with separate
________________
8
The Commission was created Sept. 26, 1914, upon passage of the Federal Trade Commission Act, sec.
3 of which provided that "all pending investigations and proceedings of the Bureau of Corporations (of the
Department of Commerce) shall be continued by the Commission."
89
238-586 0-67—7

inquiries into flour milling, canned vegetables and fruits, canned salmon, and related matters, as listed below.
Food (President) continued—Meat Packing.—Food Investigation-Report of the F.T.C. on the MeatPacking Industry was published in six parts: I. Extent and Growth of Power of the Five Packers in Meat and
Other Industries (6/24/19, 574, p., o.p.); II. Evidence of Combination Among Packers (11/25/18, 294, p., o.p.;
III. Methods of the Five Packers in Controlling the Meat-Packing Industry (6/28/19, 325 p., o.p.) ; IV. The
Five Large Packers in Produce and Grocery Foods (6/30/19, 390 p., o.p.); V. Profits of the Packers (6/28/19,
110 p., o.p.); VI. Cost of Growing Beef Animals, Cost of Fattening Cattle, and Cost of Marketing Livestock
(6/30/19, 183 p., o.p.); and summary (H. Doc. 1297, 65th, 51 p., o.p., 7/3/18).
The reports first led to antitrust proceedings against the Big Five Packers, resulting in a consent decree
(Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, 2/27/20),9 which had substantially the effect of Federal
legislation in restricting their future operations to certain lines of activity. As a further result of the
investigation, Congress enacted the Packers and Stockyards Act (1921), adopting the Commission's
recommendation that the packers be divorced from control of the stockyards. (The meat-packing- industry
is further referred to under Meat Packing Profit Limitation, p. 150.)
Food (President) Continued—Grain Trade.—Covering the industry from country elevator to central
market, the Report of the F.T.C. on the Grain Trade was published in seven parts: I. Country Grain Marketing
(9/15/20, 350 p., o.p.); II. Terminal Grain Markets and Exchanges (9/15/20, 333 p., o.p.); III. Terminal Grain
Marketing (12/21/21, 332 p., o.p.); IV. Middlemen's Profits and Margins (9/26/23, 215 p., o.p.); V. Future
Trading Operations in Grain (9/15/20 347 p., o.p.); VI. Prices of Grain and Grain Futures (9/10/24, 374 p.,
o.p.); VII. Effects of Future Trading (6/25/26, 419 p., o.p.). The investigation as reported in vol. V, and
testimony by members of the Commission's staff (U.S. Congress House Committee on Agriculture, Future
Trading, hearings, 67th, April 25-May 2, 1921) was an important factor in enactment of the Grain Futures
Act (1921). (Further reference to the grain trade is made under Grain Elevators, Grain Exporters, and Grain
Wheat Prices, p. 149.)
Food (President) Continued—Bakeries and Flour Milling.—One F.T.C. report was published by the Food
Administration (U.S. Food Administration, Report of the F.T.C. on Bakery Business in United States, pp.
5-13, o.p. 1133/17). Other reports were: Food Investigation, Report of the F.T.C. on Flour Milling and
Jobbing (4/4/18, 27 p., o.p.) and Commercial Wheat Flour Milling (9/15/20, 118 p., o.p.).
Food (President) Continued—Canned Foods,10 Private Car Lines, Wholesale Food Marketing.—Under
the general title Food Investigation were published Report of the F.T.C. on Canned Foods—General Report
and Canned Vegetables and Fruits (5/18/18, 83 p., o.p.); Report of the F.T.C. on Canned Foods—Canned
Salmon (12/27/18, 83 p., o.p.); Report of the F.T.C. on Private Car Lines, regarding transportation of meats,
fruits, and vegetables (6/27/19, 271 p., o.p.); and Report of the F.T.C. on Wholesale Marketing of Food
(6/30/19, 268 p., o.p.), which recommended that a wholesale dealer in perishable food products should be
required to procure a Federal license and that Federal inspection and standards should be provided.
Provisions in accordance with these recommendations were incorporated in the Perishable Agricultural
Commodities Act (1930).
_______________
9

The legal history of the consent decree and a summary of divergent economic interests involved in the question of packers
participation in unrelated lines of food products were set forth by the Commission in Packer Consent Decree (S. Doc. 219, 68th, 44
p., o.p.., 2/20/25), prepared pursuant to S. Res. 278, 68th, 12/8/24.
10
In connection with its wartime cost finding inquiries, 1917-18, p. 124 herein, the Commission published Report of the F.T.C.
on Canned Goods 1918—Corn, Peas, String Beans, Tomatoes, and Salmon (86 p., 11/21/21).

90

Food—Bread and Flour (Senate). —Reports on this inquiry (S. Res. 163, 68th, 2/26/24) were:
Competitive Conditions in Flour Milling (S. Doc. 97, 70th, 140 p., o.p., 5/3/26); Bakery Combines and
Profits (S. Doc. 212, 69th, 95 p., o.p., 2/11/27); Competition and Profits in Bread and Flour (S. Doc. 98, 70th,
509 p., o.p., 1/11/28) ; and Conditions in the Flour Milling Business, supplementary (S. Doc. 96, 72d, 26 p.,
o.p., 5/28/32).
Food—Wholesale Baking Industry (F.T.C.).—This inquiry (F.T.C. Res., 8/31/45) resulted in two reports
to Congress: Wholesale Baking Industry, Part I—Waste in the Distribution of Bread (4/22/46, processed, 29
p., o.p. and Wholesale Baking Industry, Part II—Costs, Prices and Profits (8/7/46, 137 p., o.p.). Part I
developed facts concerning wasteful and uneconomic practices in the distribution of bread, including
consignment selling which involves the taking back of unsold bread; furnishing, by gift or loan, bread racks,
stands, fixtures, etc., to induce distributors to handle a given company's products. It was found that, although
War Food Order No. 1 which prohibited these practices was only partially observed, in 1945 as compared
with 1942, the quantity of bread saved was sufficient to supply the population of England, Scotland, and
Wales with a daily ration of one-third of a loaf for 30 days, the population of France for 36 days, or the
population of Finland for nearly 1 year. The Commission suggested that "a careful examination of present
laws be made by the legislative and executive branches of the Government to determine what legislation, if
any, is needed to permanently eliminate wasteful trade practices and predatory competition which threaten
the existence of many small bakers, foredoom new ventures to failure and promote regional monopolistic
control of the wholesale breadbaking industry."
Part II presents information concerning, prices and pricing practices in the industry, profits earned, and
unit costs of production and distribution. It compares the details of production and distribution costs for
bread and rolls, other bakery products, and for all bakery products for two operating periods in 1945, March
and September. Comparisons of costs are also made for these two periods for plants arranged by
geographical areas. Comparisons of the costs of production and distribution are made by size groups of
wholesale bakeries.
Food—Fish.—See Distribution Methods and Costs.
Food—Flour Milling (Senate).—This study of costs, profits, and other factors (S. Res. 212, 67th,
1/18/22) was reported in Wheat Flour Milling Industry (S. Doc. 130, 68th, 130 p., o.p., 5/16/24).
Food—Flour-Milling Industry, Growth. and Concentration in (F.T.C.).—The Commission's study
showed that there has been a progressive increase in the size of flour-mill operations and a progressive
decrease in the number of flour-milling establishments. Nevertheless, the Commission reported, there is a
lesser degree of concentration in the flour-milling industry than in many other important industries. The
results of the study were presented to Congress in a report on the Growth and Concentration in the FlourMilling Industry (6/2/47, 36 p.).
Food —Grain Elevators (F.T.C.), Wartime, 1917-18.—In view of certain bills pending before Congress with
reference to regulation of the grain trade, the Commission, in a preliminary report, Profits of Country and
Terminal Grain Elevators (S. Doc. 40, 67th, 12 p., o.p., 6/13/21) presented certain data collected during its
inquiry into the grain trade ordered by the President.
Food—Grain Exporters (Senate).—The low prices of export wheat in 1921 gave rise to this inquiry (S.
Res. 133, 67th, 12/22/21) concerning harmful speculative price manipulations on the grain exchanges and
alleged conspiracies among country grain buyers to agree on maximum purchasing prices. The Commission
recommended stricter supervision of exchanges and additional storage facilities for grain not controlled by
grain dealers (Report of the F.T.C. on Methods and Operations of Grain Exporters, 2 vols., 387 p., o.p.,
5/16/22 and 6/18/23).
Food—Grain, Wheat Prices (President).—An extraordinary decline of wheat prices was investigated
(President Wilson's directive 10/12/20) and found to be due
91

chiefly to abnormal market conditions (Report of the F.T.C. on Wheat Prices for the 1920 Crop, 91 p., o.p.,
12/13/20).
Food—Important Food Products.—See Distribution Methods and Costs.
Food—Marketing (F.T.C.).—On October 9, 1958, the Commission launched a study of significant
economic trends in food marketing. In the first phase of this investigation facts were developed concerning
the growth of corporate chains and voluntary and cooperative wholesalers. On June 30, 1959, the
Commission published a statistical report entitled Economic Inquiry into Food Marketing—Interim Report
(6 p., 22 tables, o.p.). This was followed by publication of Economic Inquiry into Food Marketing, Part I,
Concentration and Integration in Retailing (January 1960, 338 p.).
Food—Marketing (F.T.C.).—The second phase of the F.T.C. study of the food industry was begun on
August 25, 1960. Through surveys and other data the Bureau of Economics undertook to identify and
analyze major structural and behavioral aspects of the group of firms producing and marketing frozen fruit,
juices and vegetables. Included in the study are chapters reviewing: production and consumption patterns;
concentration, diversification and integration; marketing patterns; production, promotion and profits; and
patterns of merger activity. (Economic Inquiry into Food Marketing, Part II, The Frozen Fruit, Juice and
Vegetable Industry, 145 p., December 1962.)
Food—Marketing (F.T.C.).—This is the third in a series of staff reports concerning various segments
of the food industry undertaken pursuant to a Federal Trade Commission resolution adopted October 9, 1958.
Part III represents an extensive inquiry into the industrial organization of the canned fruit, juices, and
vegetable industry. Various aspects of market structure including patterns of concentration, integration and
diversification are examined in detail. Data on marketing patterns, costs, product promotion and profits are
also presented. The impact of merger activity on industry structure and performance is considered along with
a discussion of competitive trends. (Economic Inquiry into Food Marketing, Part III, The Canned Fruit, Juice
and Vegetable Industry, 207 p., June 1965.)
Food—Meat Packing Profit Limitation (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—Following an inquiry (S. Res. 177,
66th, 9/3/19) involving wartime control of this business as established by the U.S. Food Administration in
1917-18, the Commission recommended greater control and lower maximum profits (Maximum Profit
Limitation on Meat Packing Industry, S. Doc. 110, 66th, 179 p., o.p. 9/25/19).
Food—Milk.—See Distribution Methods and Costs.
Food—Milk and Milk Products (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—Covering an inquiry (S. Res. 431, 65th,
3/3/19) into fairness of milk prices to producers and of canned milk prices to consumers, the Report of the
F.T.C. on Milk and Milk Products 1914-18 (6/6/21, 234 p., o.p.) showed a marked concentration of control
and questionable practices many of which later were recognized by the industry as being unfair.
Food—Milk and Dairy Products (House).—Competitive conditions in different milk-producing areas
were investigated (H. Con. Res. 32, 73d, 6/15/34). Results of the inquiry were published in seven volumes:
Report of the F.T.C. on the Sale and Distribution of Milk Products, Connecticut and Philadelphia Milksheds
(H. Doc. 152, 74th, 901 p., o.p., 4/5/35); Report of the F.T.C. on the Sale and Distribution of Milk and Milk
Products (Connecticut and Philadelphia milksheds, interim report, H. Doc. 387, 74th, 125 p., o.p., 12/31/35);
Chicago Sales Area (H. Doc. 451, 74th, 103 p., o.p., 4/15/36); Boston, Baltimore, Cincinnati, St. Louis (H.
Doc. 501, 74th, 243 p., o.p., 6/4/36); Twin City Sales Area (H. Doc. 506, 74th, 71 p., o.p., 6/13/36); and New
York Milk Sales Area (H. Doc. 95, 75th, 138 p., o.p., 9/30/36). The Commission reported that many of the
industry's problems could be dealt with only by the States and recommended certain legislation and
procedure, both State and Federal (Summary Report on Conditions With Respect to the Sale and Distribution
of Milk and Dairy Products, H. Doc. 94, 75th, 39 p., o.p., 1/4/37). Legislation has been en92

acted in a number of States carrying into effect all or a portion of the Commission's recommendations.
Food—Peanut Prices (Senate).—An alleged price-fixing combination of peanut crushers and mills was
investigated (S. Res. 139, 71st, 10/22/29). The Commission found that an industry-wide decline in prices
of farmers' stock peanuts during the business depression was not due to such a combination, although pricing
practices of certain mills tended to impede advancing and to accelerate declining prices (Prices and
Competition Among Peanut Mills, S. Doc. 132, 72d, 78 p., o.p., 6/30/32).
Food—Raisin Combination (Attorney General).—Investigating allegations of a combination among
California raisin growers (referred to F.T.C. 9/30/19), the Commission found the enterprise not only
organized in restraint of trade but conducted in a manner threatening financial disaster to the growers. The
Commission recommended changes which the growers adopted (California Associated Raisin Co., 26 p.,
processed, o.p., 6/8/20).
Food—Southern Livestock Prices (Senate).—Although the low prices of southern livestock in 1919 gave
rise to a belief that discrimination was being practiced, a Commission investigation (S. Res. 133, 66th,
7/25/19) revealed the alleged discrimination did not appear to exist (Southern Livestock Prices, S. Doc. 209,
66th, 11 p., o.p., 2/2/20).
Food—Sugar (House).—An extraordinary advance in the price of sugar in 1919 (H. Res. 150, 66th,
10/l/19) was found to be due chiefly to speculation and hoarding. The Commission made recommendations
for correcting these abuses (Report of the F.T.C. on Sugar Supply and Prices, 205 p., o.p., 11/15/20).
Food—Sugar, Beet (F.T.C.).—Initiated by the Commissioner of Corporations,11 but completed by the
F.T.C., this inquiry dealt with the cost of growing beets and the cost of beet-sugar manufacture (Report on
the Beet Sugar Industry in the U.S., H. Doc. 158, 65th, 164 p., o.p., 5/24/27).
Foreign Trade—Antidumping Legislation (F.T.C.).—To develop information for use of Congress in its
consideration of amendments to the antidumping laws, the Commission studied recognized types of dumping
and provisions for preventing the dumping of goods from foreign countries (Antidumping Legislation and
Other Import Regulations in the United States and Foreign Countries, S. Doc. 112, 73d, 100 p., o.p., 1/11/34;
supplemental report, 111 p., o.p., processed, 6/27/38).
Foreign Trade—Cooperation in American Export Trade (F.T.C.).—This inquiry related to competitive
conditions affecting Americans in international trade. The Export Trade Act, also known as the WebbPomerene law, authorizing the association of U.S. manufacturers for export trade, was enacted as a result
of Commission recommendations (Cooperation in American Export Trade, 2 vols., 984 p., o.p., 6/30/16; also
summary, S. Doc. 426, 64th, 7 p., o.p., 5/2/16; and conclusions 1916. 14 p., o.p.).
Foreign Trade—Cotton Growing Corporation (Senate).—The report of an inquiry (S. Res. 317, 68th,
1/27/25) concerning the development of this British company, Empire Cotton Growing Corporation (S. Doc.
226, 68th, 30 p., o.p., 2/28/25), showed there was then little danger of serious competition with the American
grower or of a possibility that the United States would lose its position as the largest producer of raw cotton.
Frozen Fruit, Juice and Vegetable Industry.—See Food Marketing, Part II.
Gasoline.—See Petroleum.
Grain.—See Food.
Grain Exchange Actions (F.T.C. and Chairman of Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry).—The
Commission's report on Economic Effects of Grain Exchange Actions Affecting Futures Trading During the
First Six Months of 1946
____________________
11

See footnote 8.
93

(85 p., o.p., 2/4/47) presents results of a special study made at the request of the then Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. The report reviews the factors which made it impossible, during
the first half of 1946, for futures trading to be conducted in the usual manner on the Chicago, Kansas City
and Minneapolis grain exchanges under existing conditions of Government price control and severe
restrictions on the movement of short supplies of free grain in the cash market. The report also discusses the
economic effects of emergency actions taken by the exchanges on the interests trading in futures, and
suggests, among other things, that both the Commodity Exchange Act and the U.S. Warehouse Act "should
be so amplified and coordinated, or even combined, as to make effective the type and scope of regulation
over futures trading contemplated by the Congress in enacting the Commodity Exchange Act."
Guarantee Against Price Decline (F.T.C.).—Answers to a circular letter (12/26/19) calling for
information and opinions on this subject were published in Digest of Replies in Response to an Inquiry of
the F.T.C. Relative to the Practice of Giving Guarantee Against Price Decline (68 p., o.p., 5/27/20).
Housefurnishings (Senate).—This inquiry (S. Res. 127, 67th, 1/4/22) resulted in three volumes showing
concerted efforts to effect uniformity of prices in some lines (Report of the F.T.C. on Housefurnishing
Industries, 1018 p., o.p., 1/17/23, 10/l/23, and 10/6/24.).
Independent Harvester Co. (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—After investigation (S. Res. 212, 65th, 3/11/18)
of the organization and methods of operation of the company which had been formed several years before
to compete with the "harvester trust," but which had passed into receivership, the F.T.C. Report to the Senate
on the Independent Harvester Co. (5 p., release, processed, o.p., 5/15/18) showed the company's failure was
due to mismanagement and insufficient capital.
Industrial Concentration and Product Diversification in the 1,000 Largest Manufacturing Companies:
1950 (F.T.C.).—This purely statistical report published in January 1957 has 127 pages of text which state
the findings in 52 text tables and 22 charts covering all manufacturing, food, electrical apparatus, and
transportation equipment, and 529 pages of appendix tables covering these and other manufacturing
industries. The 4 leading shippers of each product are identified, but shipments by individual companies are
not disclosed.
Interlocking Directorates (F.T.C.).—This 1950 report on Interlocking Directorates summarizes the
interlocking relationships among directors of the 1,000 largest manufacturing corporations. It also covers
the interlocking directorates between these corporations and a selected list of banks, investment trusts,
insurance companies, railroads, public utilities, and distributive enterprises.
International Alkali Cartels (F.T.C.).—In a report (1950) on International Cartels in the Alkali Industry,
o.p., the Commission discussed the nature, extent, and effect of international agreements concerning baking
soda, soda ash, and caustic soda to which organized groups of American and European alkali producers were
parties from 1924 until 1946.
International Electrical Equipment Cartel (F.T.C.).—In its 1948 report on this subject (107 p., also 10
p. processed summary) the Commission points out the high degree of economic concentration in the electrical
equipment industry which exists in each of the important industrial nations.
International Petroleum Cartel.—A staff study of the activities of the seven major oil companies in
relation to control over the international oil industry. Staff Report to the Federal Trade Commission
submitted to the Subcommittee on Monopoly of the Select Committee on Small Business, U.S. Senate
Committee print No. 6, 82d Cong.—2d sess. 378 p., 1952.
94

International Phosphate Cartels (F.T.C.).—The F.T.C. Report on International Phosphate Cartels (F.T.C.
Res. 9/19/44) developed facts with respect to the practices, arrangements and agreements between domestic
phosphate companies and foreign competitors through international cartels, through which minimum export
prices were fixed. These prices varied from market to market, depending upon competition, ocean freight
rates, and other factors. The agreements established fixed quotas in each grade, and sales were allocated
among members of the Phosphate Export Association according to their quotas and the grade involved. The
report (processed, 60 p.) was transmitted to Congress 5/l/46.
International Steel Cartels (F.T.C.).—A report to Congress concerning numerous cartel agreements
relating to steel which were adopted between World War I and World War II. Certain American companies
participated in these agreements, which were both national and international in scope. The international
agreements allotted quotas to the different national groups, fixed prices in the export trade, and established
reserved and unreserved areas. (International Steel Cartels (1948), 115 p., o.p.)
Iron Ore.—See Control of Iron Ore.
Large Manufacturing Companies (F.T.C.).—This 1951 report, entitled A List of 1,000 Large
Manufacturing Companies, Their Subsidiaries and Affiliates, 1948, shows for each of the 1,000 largest
manufacturing corporations which publish financial statements the percentage of stock interest held by the
corporation in each of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The parent corporations are grouped in 21 major
industries and ranked as to size on the basis of their total assets in 1948, 223 p., o.p., 6/l/51.
Leather and Shoes (F.T.C. and House), Wartime, 1917-18.—General complaint regarding high prices
of shoes led to this inquiry, which is reported in Hide and Leather Situation, preliminary report (H. Doc. 857,
65th, 5 p., o.p., 1/23/18), and Report on Leather and Shoe Industries (180 p., o.p., 8/21/19). A further study
(H. Res. 217, 66th, 8/19/19) resulted in the Report of the F.T.C. on Shoe and Leather Costs and Prices (212
p., o.p., 6/10/21).
Lumber—Costs.—See Wartime Cost Finding, 1917-18.
Lumber Trade Associations (Attorney General).—The Commission's extensive survey of lumber
manufacturers' associations (referred to F.T.C., 9/4/19) resulted in Department of Justice proceedings against
certain associations for alleged antitrust law violations. Documents published were: Report of the F.T.C.
on Lumber Manufacturers' Trade Associations, incorporating regional reports of 1/10/21, 2/18/21, 6/9/21,
and 2/15/22 (150 p., o.p.); Report of the F.T.C. on Western Red Cedar Association, Lifetime Post
Association, and Western Red Cedarmen's Information Bureau (22 p., o.p., 1/24/23), also known as Activities
of Trade Associations and Manufacturers of Posts and Poles in the Rocky Mountain and Mississippi Valley
Territory (S. Doc. 293, 67th, o.p.); and Report of the F.T.C. on Northern Hemlock and Hardwood
Manufacturers Association (52 p., o.p., 5/7/23).
Lumber Trade Association (F.T.C.).—Activities of five large associations were investigated in
connection with the Open-Price Associations inquiry to bring down to the 1919 lumber association inquiry
(Chap. VIII of Open-Price Trade Associations, S. Doc. 226, 70th, 516 p., o.p., 2/13/29).
Meat-Packing Profit Limitations.—See Food.
Mergers (F.T.C.).—(See Corporate Mergers.)
Merger Summary (F.T.C.).—The Commission maintains an annual series on firm disappearances via
merger for manufacturing and mining, which covers merger trends back to 1940. Data for the last 5 years
indicate a sharply rising trend in the frequency with which large firms are acquired. In 1965, as in preceding
years, most acquisitions (82 percent) were made by manufacturing companies with the remainder split
bctween mining and other companies. Firms in 6 industry groups accounted for a total of 501 or almost 50
percent of mergers recorded during 1965.
95

Mergers and Vertical Integration.—See Cement.
Milk.—See Food.
Millinery Distribution (President).—This inquiry, requested by President Roosevelt, embraced growth
and development of syndicates operating units for retail millinery distribution, the units consisting of leased
departments in department or specialty stores (Report to the President of the United States on Distribution
Methods in the Millinery Industry, 65 p., processed, 11/21/39, o.p.).
Monopolistic Practices and Small Business.—A study by the staff of the Commission on the effect of
certain monopolistic practices on small business, requested by the Subcommittee on Monopoly of the Senate
Select Committee on Small Business. The results were transmitted to the Subcommittee and published as
a committee print by Selected Committee on Small Business, U.S. Senate, 82d Cong. (88 p. 3/31/52).
Motor Vehicles (Congress).—Investigation (Public Res. 87, 75th, 4/13/38) distribution and retail sales
policies of motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers, the Commission found, among other things, a high
degree of concentration and strong competition; that many local dealers' associations fixed prices and
operated used-car valuation or appraisal bureaus essentially as combinations to restrict competition; that
inequities existed in dealer agreements and in certain manufacturers' treatment of some dealers; and that
some companies' car finance plans developed serious abuses (Motor Vehicle Industry, H. Doc. 468, 76th,
1077 p., o.p., 6/5/39). The leading companies voluntarily adopted a number of the Commission's
recommendations as company policies.
National Wealth and Income (Senate).—In 1922 the national wealth was estimated (inquiry pursuant to
S. Res. 451, 67th, 2/28/23) at $353,000,000,000 and the national income in 1923 at $70,000,000,000
[National Wealth and Income (S. Doc. 126, 69th, 381 p., o.p., 5/25/26) and Taxation and Tax-Exempt Income
(S. Doc. 148, 68th, 144 p., o.p., 6/6/24)].
Open-Price Associations (Senate).—An investigation (S. Res. 28, 69th, 3/17/25) to ascertain the number
and names of so-called open-price associations, their importance in industry and the extent to which members
maintained uniform prices, was reported in Open-Price Trade Associations (S. Doc. 226, 70th, 516 p., o.p.,
2/13/29).
Packer Consent Decree.—See Food (President) Continued—Meat Packing.
Paper—Book (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—This inquiry (S. Res. 269, 64th, 9/7/16) resulted in
proceedings by the Commission against certain manufacturers to prevent price enhancement and the
Commission recommended legislation to repress trade restraints [Book Paper Industry—,A Preliminary
Report (S. Doc. 45, 65th, 11 p., o.p., 6/13/17), and Book Paper Industry—Final Report (S. Doc. 79, 65th, 125
p., o.p., 8/21/17) ].
Paper—Newsprint (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—High prices of newsprint (S. Res. 177, 64th, 4/24/16)
were shown to have been partly a result of certain newsprint association activities in restraint of trade.
Department of Justice proceedings resulted in abolishment of the association and indictment of certain
manufacturers. The Commission for several years conducted monthly reporting of production and sales
statistics, and helped provide some substantial relief for smaller publishers in various parts of the country.
[Newsprint Paper Industry, preliminary (S. Doc. 3, 65th, 12 p., o.p., 3/3/17; Report of the F.T.C. on the
Newsprint Paper Industry (S. Doc. 49, 65th) 162 p., o.p., 6/13/17); and Newsprint Paper Investigation (in
response to S. Res. 95, 65th, 6/27/17; S. Doc. 61, 65th, 8 p., o.p., 7/10/17)].
Paper—Newsprint (Senate).—The question investigated (S. Res. 337, 70th, 2/27/29) was whether a
monopoly existed among newsprint manufacturers and distributors in supplying paper to publishers of small
dailies and weeklies (Newsprint Paper Industry, S. Doc. 214, 71st, 116 p., o.p., 6/30/30).
Petroleum.—See International Petroleum Cartel.
Petroleum Products.—See Distribution Methods and Costs.
96

Petroleum and Petroleum Products, Prices (President and Congress).—At different times the Commission
has studied prices of petroleum and petroleum products and issued reports thereon as follows: Investigation
of the Price of Gasoline, preliminary (S. Doc. 403, 64th, 15 p., o.p., 4/10/16) and Report on the Price of
Gasoline in 1915 (H. Doc. 74, 65th, 224 p., o.p., 4/11/17—both pursuant to S. Res. 109, 63d, 6/18/1312 and
S. Res. 457, 63d, 9/28/14, which reports discussed high prices and the Standard Oil Companies' division of
marketing territory among themselves, the Commission suggesting several plans for restoring effective
competition; Advance in the Prices of Petroleum Products (H. Doc. 801, 66th, 57 p., o.p., 6/l/20).—pursuant
to H. Res. 501, 66th, 4/5/20, in which report the Commission made constructive proposals to conserve the
oil supply; Letter of Submittal and Summary of Report on Gasoline Prices in 1924 (Cong. Rec., 2/28/25, p.
4941)—pursuant to request of President Coolidge, 2/7/24; Petroleum Industry—Prices, Profits and
Competition (S. Doc. 61, 70th, 360 p., o.p., 12/12/27) pursuant to S. Res. 31, 69th, 6/3/36; Importation of
Foreign Gasoline at Detroit, Mich., (S. Doc. 206, 72d, 3 p., o.p., 2/27/33)—pursuant to S. Res. 274, 72d,
7/16/32; and Gasoline Prices (S. Doc. 178, 73d, 22 p., o.p., 5/10/34)—pursuant to S. Res. 166, 73d, 2/2/34.
Petroleum—Foreign Ownership (Senate).—Inquiry was made (S. Res. 311, 67th, 6/29/22) into
acquisition of extension oil interests in the U.S. by the Dutch-Shell organization, and into discrimination
allegedly practiced in foreign countries against American interests (Report of the F.T.C. on Foreign
Ownership in the Petroleum Industry, 152 p., o.p., 2/12/23).
Petroleum Pipe Lines (Senate).—Begun by the Bureau of Corporations,13 this inquiry (S. Res. 109, 63d,
6/18/13) showed the dominating importance of the pipe lines of the great midcontinent oil fields and reported
practices of the pipeline companies which were unfair to small producers (Report on Pipe-Line
Transportation of Petroleum, 467 p., o.p., 2/28/16), some of which practices were later remedied by the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Petroleum—Regional Studies (Senate and F.T.C.)—Reports published were: Pacific Coast Petroleum
Industry (two parts 4/7/21 and 11/28/21, 538 p., o.p.)—pursuant to S. Res. 138, 66th, 7/31/19; Reports of
the F.T.C. on the Petroleum Industry of Wyoming (54 p., o.p., 1/3/21)—pursuant to F.T.C. motion;
Petroleum Trade in Wyoming and Montana (S. Doc. 233, 67th, 4 p., o.p., 7/13/22)—pursuant to F.T.C.
motion, in which report legislation to remedy existing conditions was recommended; and Report of the
F.T.C. on Panhandle Crude Petroleum (Texas) (19 p., o.p., 2/3/28)—pursuant to F.T.C. motion, 10/6/26 (in
response to requests of producers of crude petroleum).
Potomac Electric Power Co. (Procurement Director, United States Treasury).—A study (2/29/44) of the
financial history and operations of this corporation for the years 1896-1943 was made at the request of the
Director of Procurement, United States Treasury, and the report thereon was introduced into the record in
the corporation's electric rate case before the District of Columbia Public Utilities Commission.
Power—Electric (Senate).—This inquiry (S. Res. 329, 68th, 2/9/25) resulted in two reports, the first of
which, Electric Power Industry—Control of Power Companies (S. Doc. 213, 69th, 272 p., o.p., 2/21/27) dealt
with the organization, control, and ownership of commercial electric-power companies. It called attention
to the dangerous degree to which pyramiding had been practiced in superimposing a series of holding
________________
12

See footnote 8.

13

See footnote 8. Conditions in one of the midcontinent fields were discussed by the Bureau of Corporations in Conditions
in the Healdton Oil Field (OkIahoma) (116 p., 8/15/15).

97

companies over the underlying operating companies, and was influential in bringing about the more
comprehensive inquiry described under Power—Utility Corps., below. Supply of Electrical Equipment and
Competitive Conditions (S. Doc. 46, 70th, 282 p., o.p., 1/12/28) showed, among other things, the dominating
position of General Electric Co. in the equipment field.
Power—Interstate Transmission (Senate).—Investigation (S. Res. 151, 71st, 11/8/29) was made of the
quantity of electric energy transmitted across State lines and used for development of power or light, or both
(Interstate Movement of Electric Energy, S. Doc. 238, 71st, 134 p., o.p., 12/20/30).
Power—Utility Corporations (Electric and Gas Utilities) (Senate).—This extensive inquiry (S. Res. 83,
70th, 2/15/28; Public Res. 46, 73d, 6/l/34; and F.T.C. Act, Sec. 6) embraced the financial set-up of electric
and gas utility companies operating in interstate commerce and of their holding companies and other
companies controlled by the holding companies. The inquiry also dealt with the utilities' efforts to influence
public opinion with respect to municipal ownership of electric utilities. The Commission's reports and
recommendations, focusing congressional attention upon certain unfair financial practices in connection with
the organization of holding companies and the sale of securities, were among the influences which brought
about enactment of such remedial legislation as the Securities Act (1933), the Public Utility Holding
Company Act (1935), the Federal Power Act (1935), and the Natural Gas Act (1938).
Public hearings were held on all phases of the inquiry and monthly interim reports presented hundreds
of detailed studies by the Commission's economists, attorneys, accountants, and other experts, based on
examination of 29 holding companies having $6,108,128,713 total assets; 70 subholding companies with
$5,685,463,201 total assets; and 278 operating companies with $7,245,106,464 total assets. The testimony,
exhibits, and final reports (Utility Corporations, S. Doc. 92, 70th, o.p.) comprised 95 volumes.14
Price Bases (F.T.C.).—More than 3,500 manufacturers representing practically every industrial segment
furnished data for this study (F.T.C. motion, 7/27/27) of methods used for computing delivered prices on
industrial products and of the actual and potential influence of such methods on competitive markets and
price levels. In the cement industry the basing-point method15 was found to have a tendency to establish
unhealthy uniformity of delivered prices and cross-hauling or cross-freighting to be an economic evil (Report
of the F.T.C. on Price Bases Inquiry, Basing-Point Formula, and Cement Prices, 218 p., o.p., 3/26/32).
Illustrating the use in a heavy commodity industry of both a modified zone-price system and a uniform
delivered-price system, the Commission examined price schedules of the more important manufacturers of
range boilers, 1932-36, disclosing that the industry operated under a zone-price formula, both before and
after adoption of its N.R.A. code (Study of Zone-Price Formula in Range Boiler Industry, 5 p., processed,
3/30/36, a summary based on the complete report which was submitted to Congress but not printed).
Price Deflation (President).—To an inquiry (3/21/21) of President Harding, the Commission made
prompt reply (undated) presenting its views of the causes of a disproportional decline of agricultural prices
compared with consumers' prices (Letter of the F.T.C. to the President of the U.S., 8 p., o.p.).
Profit Rates (F.T.C.).—A special report was published in 1963 showing profits per dollar sales and rates
of profit on equity for 63 industry and size groups of manu________________
14

Final reports were published in 1935; a general index in 1937. Some of the volumes arc out of print. For report
titles, see F.T.C. Annual Report, 1941, p. 221; and for lists of companies investigated, see F.T.C. Annual Reports, 1935
p. 21, and 1936 p. 36.
15
Basing-point systems are also discussed in the published reports listed under "Cement,” “ Steel Code," and "Steel
Sheet Piling" herein.

98

facturing corporations in each calendar quarter 1947-62. (Report on Profit Rates of Manufacturing
Corporations 1947-1962, 70 p., 1963.)
Profiteering (Senate), Wartime, 1917-18.—Current conditions of profiteering (S. Res. 255, 65th, 6/10/18)
as disclosed by various Commission investigations were reported in Profiteering (S. Doc. 248, 65th, 20 p.,
o.p., 6/29/18).
Quarterly Financial Report for Manufacturing Corporations.—Since 1947, the Federal Trade
Commission has summarized for each calendar quarter uniform, confidential financial statements collected
from a probability sample of all enterprises classified as manufacturers, except newspapers, which are
required to file U.S. Corporation Income Tax Form 1120. The quarterly summaries, entitled Quarterly
Financial Report for Manufacturing Corporations, are published by the Government Printing Office and sold
by the Superintendent of Documents. In the published summaries, profits per dollar of sales and rates of
profit on stockholders' equity are shown each quarter for each of 60 industry and size groups of
manufacturing corporations. Also shown each quarter are 45 income statement and balance sheet items, and
as many financial and operating ratios, for each of 45 industry and size groups of corporate manufacturers.
(Similar reports for retail trade and wholesale trade corporations were published for the year 1950 and for
each quarter of 1951 and 1952.)
Radio (House).—A comprehensive investigation of the radio industry (H. Res. 548, 67th, 3/4/23); Report
of the F.T.C. on the Radio Industry, 347 p., o.p., 12/l/23) contributed materially to enactment of the Radio
Act of 1927 and the succeeding Federal Communications Act of 1934. The investigation was followed by
Commission and Department of Justice proceedings on monopoly charges which culminated in a consent
decree (11/2/32; amended, 11/2/35).
Rags, Woolen.—See Textiles.
Raisin Combination.—See Food.
Range Boilers.—See Price Bases.
Rates of Return for Identical Companies in Selected Manufacturing Industries (F.T.C.).—This report is
a continuation of a series of reports, begun in 1948, comparing rates of return for identical companies in 25
selected manufacturing industries. The 1961 report compares 1940 with 1947 through 1961. Previous yearly
reports compared rates of return in 1940 with rates of return in each of the years 1947-60 on an accumulative
basis.
Beginning with the 1962 report the comparison with 1940 as a base year was eliminated and the
comparison limited to a 10-year period. For example, the 1964 report includes rates of return data for each
of 23 selected industries for the period, 1955-64. This series is now reported as Part A of the report.
The Commission expanded coverage of the report in 1955 in order to provide data for more specific
industries and, in 1957, published for the first time as Part B of the report comparative rates of return for the
12 largest companies in 39 selected industries for the years 1954 and 1955. Where possible, comparisons
are presented for the 4 largest, the second 4, and the third 4 largest companies in each of the 39 industries.
Part B of the report continues this series by comparing rates of return in the current year with that of the
previous year. (Processed publications are available without charge from F.T.C. while the supply lasts.
Copies prior to 1963 are o.p.)
Resale Price Maintenance (F.T.C.).—The question whether a manufacturer of standard articles,
identified by trade-mark or trade practice, should be permitted to fix by contract the price at which purchasers
should resell them, led to the first inquiry, resulting in a report, Resale Price Maintenance (H. Doc. 1480,
65th, 3 p., o.p., 12/2/18). Other reports were: A Report on Resale Price Maintenance (H. Doc. 145, 66th,
3 p., o.p., 6/30/19) and Resale Price Maintenance (F.T.C. motion, 7/25/27; reports, Part I, H. Doc. 546, 70th,
141 p., o.p., 1/30/29, and Part II, 215 p., o.p., 6/22/31). The Report of
99

the F.T.C. on Resale Price Maintenance, o.p., (F.T.C. Res., 4/25/39) was submitted to Congress 12/13/45.
The inquiry developed facts concerning the programs of trade organizations interested in the extension and
enforcement of minimum resale price maintenance contracts, and the effects of the operation of such
contracts upon consumer prices and upon sales volumes of commodities in both the price-maintained and
non-price-maintained categories.
Rubber Tires.—See Tires.
Rubber Tires and Tubes.—See Distribution Methods and Costs.
Salaries (Senate).—The Commission investigated (S. Res. 75, 73d, 5/29/33) salaries of executives and
directors of corporations (other than public utilities) engaged in interstate commerce, such corporations
having more than $1,000,000 capital and assets and having their securities listed on the New York stock or
curb exchanges. The Report of the F.T.C. on Compensation of Officers and Directors of Certain
Corporations (15 p., processed, 2/26/34, o.p.) explained the results of the inquiry.16 The facts developed
focused the attention of Congress on the necessity of requiring listed corporations to report their salaries.
Southern Livestock Prices.—See Food.
Steel Code and Steel Code as Amended (Senate and President).—The Commission investigated (S. Res.
166, 73d, 2/2/34) price fixing, price increases, and other matters (Practices of the Steel Industry Under the
Code, S. Doc. 159, 73d, 79 p., o.p., 3/19/34) and the Commission and N.R.A. studied the effect of the
multiple basing-point system under the amended code (Report of the F.T.C. to the President in Response to
Executive Order of May 30, 1934, With Respect to the Basing-point System in the Steel Industry, 125 p.,
o.p., 11/30/34).17 The Commission recommended important code revisions.
Steel Companies, Proposed Merger (Senate).—An inquiry (S. Res. 286, 67th 5/12/22) into a proposed
merger of Bethlehem Steel Corp. and Lackawanna Steel Co., and of Midvale Steel & Ordnance Co., Republic
Iron & Steel Co., and Inland Steel Co., resulted in a two-volume report. Merger of Steel and Iron Companies
(S. Doc. 208, 67th, 11 p., o.p., 6522 and 9/7/22).
Steel Costs and Profits.—See Wartime Cost Findings, 1917—18.
Steel Sheet Piling—Collusive Bidding (President).—Steel sheet piling prices on certain Government
contracts in New York, North Carolina, and Florida were investigated (inquiry referred to F.T.C. 11/20/35).
The F.T.C. Report to the President on Steel Sheet Piling (42 p., processed, 6/10/36 o.p.) demonstrated the
existence of collusive bidding because of a continued adherence to the basing-point system18 and provisions
of the steel industry's code.
Stock Dividends (Senate).—The Senate requested (S. Res. 304, 69th, 12/22/26) the names and
capitalizations of corporations which had issued stock dividends, and the amounts thereof, since the Supreme
Court decision (3/8/20) holding that such dividends were not taxable. The same information for an equal
period prior to the decision was also requested. The Commission submitted a list of 10,245 corporations,
pointing out that declaration of stock dividends at the rate prevailing did not appear to be a result of
controlling necessity and seemed questionable as a business policy (Stock Dividends, S. Doc. 26, 70th, 273
p., o.p., 12/5/27).
Sugar.—See Food.
____________
16

The salary lists do not appear in the report but are available for inspection.
As of the same date, the N.R.A. published its Report of the National Recovery Administration on the Operation
of the Basing-Point System in the Iron and Steel Industry. The basing-point system is also discussed in published reports
listed under "Cement" and "Price Bases" herein.
18
See footnote 15.
17

100

Sulphur Industry (F.T.C.).—In its report to Congress on The Sulphur Industry and International Cartels
(6/16/47), o.p., the Commission stated that the operations of all four producers constituting the American
sulphur industry generally have been highly profitable, and that the indications are that foreign cartel
agreements entered into by Sulphur Export Corp., an export association organized under the Webb-Pomerene
Law, have added to the profitability of the U.S. industry. On 2/7/4,7, after hearings, the Commission
recommended that Sulphur Export Corp. readjust its business to conform to law.
Taxation and Tax-Exempt Income.—See National Wealth and Income.
Temporary National Economic Committee, Studies of the F.T.C.—See F.T.C. Annual Report, 1941, p.
218, for titles.
Textiles (President).—President Roosevelt (Executive Order of 9/26/34) directed an inquiry into the
textile industry's labor costs, profits, and investment structure to determine whether increased wages and
reduced working hours could be sustained under prevailing economic conditions. Reports covering the
cotton, woolen and worsted, silk and rayon, and thread, cordage and twine industries were: Report of the
F.T.C. on Textile Industries, Parts I to VI, 12/31/34 to 6/20/35, 174 p., o.p. (Part VI financial tabulations
processed 42 p., o.p.); Report of the F.T.C. on the Textile Industries in 1933 and 1934), Parts I to IV, 8/1/35
to 12/5/35, 129 p., o.p.; Parts II and III, o.p. (Part IV, processed, 21 p., o.p.; accompanying tables, processed,
72 p., o.p.); Cotton Spinning Companies Grouped by Types of Yarn Manufactured During 1933 and 1934,
1/31/36, 20 p., processed, o.p.; Cotton Weaving Companies Grouped by Types of Woven Goods
Manufactured During 1933 and 1934, 3/24/36, 48 p., processed, o.p.; Textile Industries in the First Half of
1935, Parts I to III, 5/22/36 to 8/22/36, 119 p., processed, o.p.; Textile Industries in the Last Half of 1935,
Parts I to III, 11/20/36 to 1/6/37, 155 p., processed, o.p.; and Textile Industries in the First Half of 1936, Parts
I to III, 1/21/37 to 2/11/37, 163 p., processed, o.p.
Textiles—Combed Cotton Yarns.—High prices of combed cotton yarns led to this inquiry (H. Res. 451,
66th, 4/5/20) which disclosed that while for several years profits and prices had advanced, they declined
sharply late in 1920 (Report of the F.T.C. on Combed Yarns, 94 p., o.p., 4/14/21).
Textiles—Cotton Growing Corporation.—See Foreign Trade.
Textiles—Cotton Merchandising (Senate).—Investigating abuses in handling consigned cotton (S. Res.
252, 68th, 6/7/24), the Commission made recommendations designed to correct or alleviate existing
conditions (Cotton Merchandising Practices, S. Doc. 194, 68th, 38 p., o.p., 1/20/25).
Textiles—Cotton Trade (Senate).—Investigation (S. Res. 262, 67th, 3/29/22) involved a decline in cotton
prices, 1920-22, as reported in Preliminary Report of the F.T.C. on the Cotton Trade (S. Doc. 311, 67th, 28
p., o.p., 2/26/23). After a second inquiry (S. Res. 429, 67th, 1/31/23), the Commission recommended certain
reforms in trading practices and particularly in permitting Southern delivery of cotton on New York futures
contracts (The Cotton Trade, incl. testimony, S. Doc. 100, 68th, 2 vols., 510 p., o.p., 4/28/24). A subsequent
Senate bill (S. 4411, 70th, 5/18/28) provided for Southern warehouse delivery, but, before any law was
enacted, the New York Cotton Exchange adopted Southern delivery on New York futures contracts
(11/16/28 and 2/26/30) in accordance with the Commission' s recommendations.
Textiles-Woolen Rag Trade (F.T.C.), Wartime, 1917-18.—The Report on the Woolen Rag Trade (90 p.,
o.p., 6/30/19) contains information gathered during the World War, 1917-18, at the request of the War
Industries Board, for its use in regulating the prices of woolen rags employed in the manufacture of clothing.
Tires (F.T.C.).—This report analyzes structural and behavioral aspects of the automotive tire industry,
with emphasis on recent mergers and acquisitions. Since 1961, a
101

series of acquisitions of retail and wholesale tire distributors by leading tire manufacturers has taken place.
In addition, three medium-sized tire producers have themselves been acquired in recent years by their larger
competitors. The report examines these mergers and their possible effects on future competition in the
industry. It also reviews trends in overall concentration and patterns of distribution, pricing and profit
behavior, and conditions of entry. (Economic Report on the Manufacture and Distribution of Automotive
Tires, 117 p., March 1966.)
Tobacco (Senate).—Inquiry (S. Res. 329, 2/9/25) into activities of two well-known companies disclosed
that alleged illegal agreements or conspiracies did not appear to exist. (The American Tobacco Co. and the
Imperial Tobacco Co., S. Doc. 34., 69th, 129 p., o.p., 12/25/25).
Tobacco Marketing—Leaf (F.T.C.)—Although representative tobacco farmers in 1929 alleged existence
of territorial and price agreements among larger manufacturers to control cured leaf tobacco prices, the
Commission found no evidence of price agreements and recommended production curtailment and
improvement of marketing processes and cooperative relations (Report on Marketing of Leaf Tobacco in the
Flue-Cured Districts of the States of North Carolina and Georgia, 54 p., o.p., processed, 5/23/31).
Tobacco Prices (Congress).—Inquiries with respect to a decline of loose-leaf tobacco prices following
the 1919 harvest (H. Res. 533, 66th, 6/3/20) and low tobacco prices as compared with high prices of
manufactured tobacco products (S. Res. 129, 67th, 8/9/21) resulted in the Commission recommending
modification of the 1911 decree (dissolving the old tobacco trust) to prohibit permanently the use of common
purchasing agencies by certain companies and to bar their purchasing tobacco under any but their own names
(Report of the F.T.C. on the Tobacco Industry, 162 p., o.p., 12/11/20, and Prices of Tobacco Products, S.
Doc. 121, 67th, 109 p., o.p., 1/17/22).
Trade and Tariffs in South America (President).—Growing out of the First Pan-American Financial
Conference held in Washington, May 24-29, 1915, this inquiry (referred to F.T.C., 7/22/15) was for the
purpose of furnishing necessary information to the American branch of the International High Commission
appointed as a result of the conference. Customs administration and tariff policy were among subjects
discussed in the Report on Trade and Tariffs in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, China, Bolivia, and Peru (246
p., o.p., 6/30/16).
Twine.—See Sisal Hemp and Textiles.
Utilities.—See Power.
Wartime Cost Finding (President), 1917-18.—President Wilson directed the Commission (7/25/17) to
find the costs of production of numerous raw materials and manufactured products. The inquiry resulted in
approximately 370 wartime cost investigations. At later dates reports on a few of them were published,19
including: Cost Reports of the F.T.C.—Copper (26 p., o.p., 6/30/19); Report of the F.T.C. on Wartime Costs
and Profits of Southern Pine Lumber Companies (94 p., o.p., 5/1/22); and Report of the F.T.C. on Wartime
Profits and Costs of the Steel Industry (138 p., o.p., 2/18/25). The unpublished reports 20 cover a wide variety
of subjects. On the basis of the costs as found, prices were fixed, or controlled in various degrees, by
Government agencies such as the War and Navy Departments, War Industries Board, Price Fixing
Committee, Fuel and Administration, Food Administration, and Department of Agriculture. The
Commission also conducted cost inquiries for the Interior Department, Tariff Commission, Post Office
Department, Railroad Administration, and other Government departments or agencies. It is estimated that
the inquiries helped to save the country many billions of dollars by checking unjustifiable price advances.
_______________
19

See footnote 10.
Approximately 260 of the wartime cost inquiries are listed in the F.T.C. Annual Reports, 1918, pp. 2930, and 1919, pp. 38-42, and in World War Activities of the F.T.C., 1917-18.
20

102

Wartime Costs and Profits (F.T.C.).—Cost and profit information for 4,107 identical companies for the
period 1941-45 is contained in a Commission report on Wartime Costs and Profits for Manufacturing
Corporations, 1941 to 1945. Compilation of the information contained in the report was begun by the Office
of Price Administration prior to the transfer of the financial reporting function of that agency to the Federal
Trade Commission in December 1946.
Wartime Inquiries, 1917-18, Continued.—Further wartime inquiries of this period are described herein
under the headings: Coal, Coal Reports—Cost of Production, Cost of Living, Flags, Food, Farm Implements,
Independent Harvester Co., Leather and Shoes, Paper—Book, Paper—Newsprint, Profiteering, and
Textiles—Woolen Rag Trade, o.p.

The following are unpublished investigations by the Commission for the use of other
Government agencies:
Aluminum Foundries (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—Details were obtained for the War
Production Board, at its request, from aluminum foundries throughout the United States covering
their operations for May 1942 and their compliance with W.P.B. Supplementary Orders m-1-d, M-1c, and M-1-f.
Antifreeze Solutions, Manufacturers of (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1943-44.—War Production Board
Order L-258 of 1/20/43 prohibited production of salt and petroleum-base antifreeze solutions. While
production of these products had ceased, great quantities were reported to be still in the hands of
producers and distributors. To enable W.P.B. to determine what further action should be taken to
protect essential automotive equipment from these solutions, it requested the Commission to locate
producers' inventories as of 1/20/43, and to identify all deliveries made from such inventories to
distributors subsequent to that date.
Capital Equipment (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—For the War Production Board, a survey was
made in connection with Priorities Regulation No. 12, as amended 10/3/42, of concerns named by
it to determine whether orders had been improperly related to secure capital equipment or whether
orders that had been rerated had been extended for the purpose of obtaining capital equipment in
violation of priorities regulations.
Chromium Processors (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—For the War Production Board, the
Commission investigated the transactions of the major chromium processors to determine the extent
to which they were complying with Amendment No. 2 to W.P.B. General Preference Order No. m18a, issued 2/4/42. The investigation was conducted concurrently with a survey of nickel processors.
Commercial Cooking and Food and Plate Warming Equipment, Manufacturers of (W.P.B.),
Wartime, 1942-43.—The Commission conducted an investigation for the War Production Board to
determine whether manufacturers of commercial cooking and plate warming equipment were
complying with W.P.B. Limitation Orders L-182 and L-182 as amended 3/2/43; Conservation Orders
M-126 and M-9-c, as amended; and Priorities Regulation No. 1.
Contractors, Prime, Forward Buying Practices of (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—The matter of
procurement, use, and inventory of stocks of critical materials involved in the operation of major
plants devoting their efforts to war production was inquired into for the information of the War
Production Board. Items such as accounting, inventory, control, purchase, practices, etc., formed
a part of the inquiry.
Copper Base Alloy Ingot Makers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—This investigation was designed
to ascertain the operations, shipments, and inventories of copper, copper alloys, copper scrap, and
copper base alloy ingot makers and was conducted for the purpose of determining the extent to
which they were complying with governing W.P.B. Preference and Conservation Orders M-9-a and
b, and M-9-c.
103

Copper, Primary Fabricators of (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1941-42.—A survey and inspection of a specified
list of companies which used a large percentage of all refinery copper allocated, and at the same time
represented a fair cross-section of the industry, were made to ascertain the degree of compliance accorded
to preference, supplementary, and conservation orders and regulations of the Director of Priorities, Office
of Production Management (later the War Production Board).
Cost of Living (President).—President Roosevelt, in a published letter 11/16/37), requested the
Commission to investigate living costs. The Commission (11/20/37) adopted a resolution undertaking the
inquiry and a few months thereafter submitted a report to the President.
Costume Jewelry, Manufacturers of (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1943-44.—Because it appeared that vast
quantities of critical metals were being diverted illegally from war use to the manufacturer of costume
jewelry and similar items, the War Production Board requested the Commission to investigate 45
manufacturers to ascertain the facts concerning their compliance with W.P.B. Orders M-9-a, M-9-b, M-9-c,
M-9-c-2, M-43, M-38, M-11, M-11-b, M-126, L-81, L-131, and L-131-a, all as amended.
Electric Lamp Manufacturers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—At the direction of the War Production
Board, an investigation was made of the activities of manufacturers of portable electric lamps whose
operations were subject to the restrictions imposed by W.P.B. Limitation and Conservation Orders L-33 and
M-9-c.
Fertilizer and Related Products (O.P.A.), Wartime, 1942-43.—At the request of O.P.A. (June 1942), the
Commission investigated costs, prices, and profits in the fertilizer and related products industries. The
inquiries developed information with reference to the operations of 12 phosphate rock mines of 11
companies, and 40 plants of 24 companies producing sulphuric acid, superphosphate, and mixed fertilizer.
One of the principal requirements of the inquiry was to obtain information concerning costs, prices, and
profits for 103 separate formulas of popular-selling fertilizers during 1941 and 1942.
Food—Biscuits and Crackers (O.P.A.), Wartime, 1942-43.—As requested by the Office of Price
Administration, the Commission investigated costs and profits in the biscuit and cracker manufacturing
industry and submitted its report to that agency 3/25/43. The survey of 43 plants operated by 25 companies
showed, among other things, that costs were lower and profits higher for the larger companies than for the
smaller ones.
Food—Bread Baking (O.E.S.), Wartime, 1942-43.—This investigation was requested (10/23/42) by the
Director of the Office of Economic Stabilization and was conducted to determine what economies could be
made in the bread-baking industry so as to remove the need for a subsidy for wheat, to prevent an increase
in bread prices, or to lower the price of bread to consumers. Essential information on more than 600
representative bakeries' practices, costs, prices, and profits was developed and reported to O.E.S. (12/29/42).
The report also was furnished to the Secretary of Agriculture and special data gathered in the inquiry were
tabulated for O.P.A.
Food—Bread Baking (O.P.A.), Wartime, 1941-42.—In the interest of the low-income consumer, for
whom it was deemed necessary the price of bread should be held at a minimum, the Commission investigated
costs, prices, and profits of 60 representative bread-baking companies, conveying its findings to O.P.A. (Jan.
1942) in an unpublished report.
Food—Flour Milling (O.E.S.), Wartime, 1942-43.—Requested by the Director of the Office of Economic
Stabilization, this inquiry covered practices, costs, prices, and profits in the wheat flour-milling industry, its
purpose being to provide the Director with facts to determine what economies could be effected in the
industry so as to eliminate the need for a wheat subsidy, without reducing farmers' returns, or to reduce bread
prices. The report was made to O.E.S. and a more detailed report was prepared for O.P.A.
104

Food—Retailing (National Commission on Food Marketing).—The report is based on information
contained in the Commission's files, in public sources, and in special tabulations prepared by the Bureau of
the Census.
Chapters II, III, IV, and V deal primarily with various aspects of industry structure: concentration,
vertical integration and conglomeration. These chapters also provide information on various factors affecting
the condition of new entry in retailing. Chapters VI, VII, VIII, and IX deal with various aspects of market
conduct; competitive tactics of conglomerate firms, merger activity, discriminatory pricing, and the use of
trading stamps in food retailing. Chapter X deals with industrial performance as measured by economic
efficiency, marketing costs and margins, and profits. Chapter XI discusses the future structure of food
retailing, particularly as influenced by factors affecting the survival of existing firms and the ease with which
new retailers may enter food retailing. (Report on Food Retailing: Market Structure and Competitive
Behavior, 516 p., 1966; for the National Commission on Food Marketing.)
Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice Processing (Special Assistant to President on Consumer
Affairs).—This report evaluates the post-freeze industry pricing in light of the structure setting and
performance history of the industry as well as against an analysis of the demand and supply conditions faced
by the industry. It is divided into four parts: (1) The origin, development and organization of the Florida
citrus industry; (2) the competitive structure of the frozen concentrated orange juice processing industry; (3)
the price and profit behavior of the processing industry; and (4) the pattern of retail margins. (The
Competitive Structure and Behavior of the Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice Processing Industry with
Special Reference to Price Increases Following Major Freezes in 1957 and 1962, 67 p., August 1964,
prepared at request of Esther Peterson, Special Assistant to President on Consumer Affairs.)
Fruit Growers and Shippers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1943-44.—This investigation was requested by the War
Production Board to determine whether 7 grape growers and 12 grape shippers, all located in California, were
in violation of W.P.B. Order L-232 with respect to quotas affecting the use of lugs (wooden shipping
containers).
Furnaces, Hot Air, Household (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1943-44.—The Commission made a Nation-wide
survey for the War Production Board of the operations of one of the largest manufacturers in the United
States of household hot air furnaces, to determine whether its practices in selling and servicing domestic
heating plants were in violation of Orders L-79 and P-84, and other applicable regulations and orders of
W.P.B.
Fuse Manufacturers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—For the War Production Board the Commission
investigated and reported on the activities of representative fuse manufacturers whose operations were
subject to W.P.B. Limitation Orders L-158 and L-161, as amended.
Glycerin, Users of (W.P.B.) Wartime, 1942-43.—At the request of the War Production Board, paint and
resin manufacturers, tobacco companies, and other large users of glycerin were investigated to determine
whether they had improperly extended preference ratings to obtain formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, or
hexamethylenetetramine, to which they were not otherwise entitled.
Household Furniture (O.P.A.), Wartime, 1941-42.—Costs, prices, and profits of 67 representative
furniture companies were studied to determine whether, and to what extent, price increases were justified.
A study was also made to determine whether price-fixing agreements existed and whether wholesale price
increases resulted from understandings in restraint of trade. Confidential reports were transmitted to O.P.A.
in Sept. 1941.
Insignia Manufacturers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1944-45.—Preliminary studies made by the War Production
Board disclosed the probability that certain insignia manufacturers had acquired larger quantities of foreign
silver than necessary to fill legitimate orders and diverted the balance to unauthorized uses. In response to
W.P.B.'s
105
238-586 0-67—8

request the Commission surveyed the acquisition and use of foreign silver by such manufacturers to
determine the degree of their compliance with Order M-199 and checked the receipt and use of both domestic
and treasury silver, as well as the manufacture of insignia, as controlled by Orders L-131 and M-9-c.
Jewel Bearings, Consumers of (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—For the War Production Board, users of
jewel bearings were investigated to determine the extent to which they were complying with W.P.B.
Conservation Order M-50, which had been issued to conserve the supply and direct the distribution of jewel
bearings and jewel-bearing material.
Metal-Working Machines, Invoicing and Distribution of (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—For the War
Production Board an inquiry was made to obtain complete data from the builders of metal-working machines
(including those manufactured by their subcontractors) such as all nonportable power-driven machines that
shape metal by progressively removing chips or by grinding, boning, or lopping; all nonportable powerdriven shears, presses, hammers, bending machines, and other machines for cutting, trimming, bending,
forging, pressing, and forming metal; and all power-driven measuring and testing machines. Each type and
kind of machine was reported on separately.
Nickel Processors (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—The Commission was designated by the War
Production Board to investigate the transactions of some 600 nickel processors for the purpose of
determining the extent to which they were complying with W.P.B. Preference Order No. M-6-a, issued
9/30/41, and Conservation Order M-6-b, issued 1/20/42. The investigation was conducted concurrently with
a survey of chromium processors.
Optical Decree (Attorney General).—The Commission investigated (inquiry referred to F.T.C. 8/12/52)
the manner in which an antitrust consent decree entered (Sept. 1948) against the American Optical Company
and others, restraining them from discriminatory and monopolistic practices, was being observed, and report
(2/10/54) to the Attorney General.
Paint, Varnish, and Lacquer Manufacturers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1943-44.—The purpose of this survey
was to determine whether the manufacturers covered were in violation of War Production Board Orders M139, M-150, M-159, M-246, and M-327 in their acquisition and use of certain chemicals, all subject to
W.P.B. allocations, used in the manufacture of paint, varnish, and lacquer. Sales of such products to
determine their end uses also were investigated.
Paperboard (O.P.A.), Wartime, 1941-42.—Costs, profits, and other financial data regarding operations
of 68 paperboard mills (O.P.A. request, 11/12/41) for use in connection with price stabilization work, were
transmitted to O.P.A. in a confidential report (May 1942).
Paper—Newsprint (Attorney General).—The Commission investigated (inquiry referred to F.T.C.
1/24/38) the manner in which certain newsprint manufacturers complied with a consent decree entered
against them (11/26/17) by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.
Petroleum Decree (Attorney General).—The Commission investigated (inquiry referred to F.T.C.
4/16/36) the manner in which a consent decree entered (9/15/30) against Standard Oil Co. of California, Inc.,
and others, restraining them from monopolistic practices, was being observed, and reported (4/2/37) to the
Attorney General.
Priorities (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1941-45.—Pursuant to Executive orders (January 1942), W.P.B. designated
the Federal Trade Commission as an agency to conduct investigations of basic industries to determine the
extent and degree to which they were complying with W.P.B. orders relative to the allocation of supply and
priority of delivery of war materials. F.T.C. priorities investigations are listed herein under the headings:
Aluminum, Foundries Using; Antifreeze Solutions, Manufacturers of; Capital Equip106

ment, Chromium, Processors of; Commercial Cooking and Food and Plate Warming Equipment,
Manufacturers of; Contractors, Prime, Forward Buying Practices of; Copper Base Alloy Ingot Makers;
Copper, Primary Fabricators of; Costume Jewelry, Manufacturers of; Electric Lamps, Manufacturers of; Fruit
Growers and Shippers; Furnaces, Hot Air, Household; Fuse Manufacturers; Glycerin, Users of; Insignia
Manufacturers; Jewel Bearings, Consumers of; Metal-working Machines, Invoicing and Distribution of;
Nickel, Processors of; Paint, Varnish, and Lacquer, Manufacturers of; Quinine, Manufacturers and
Wholesalers of; Silverware, Manufacturers of; Silverware Manufacturers and Silver Suppliers; Steel
Industry; Textile Mills, Cotton; and Tin, Consumers of. The report on each of these investigations was made
directly to W.P.B.
Quinine, Manufacturers and Wholesalers of (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—At the instance of the War
Production Board, investigation was made to determine whether requirements of its Conservation Order No.
M-131-a, relating to quinine and other drugs extracted from cinchona bark, were being complied with.
Silverware Manufacturers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—Silverware manufacturers were investigated
at the request of the War Production Board to determine the extent to which they had complied with the
copper orders, that is, W.P.B. General Preference Order No. M-9-a, Supplemental Order No. M-9-b, and
Conservation Order m-9-c, as amended.
Silverware Manufacturers and Silver Suppliers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—The activities of
silverware manufacturers and silver suppliers under W.P.B. Conservation and Limitation Orders m-9-a, b,
and c, m-100 and L-140 were investigated and reported on at the request of the War Production Board.
Sisal Hemp (Senate).—The Commission assisted the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry in
an inquiry (S. Res. 170, 64th, 4/17/16) and advised how certain quantities of hemp promised by the Mexican
sisal trust, might be fairly distributed among American distributors of binder twine (Mexican Sisal Hemp,
S. Doc. 440, 64th, 8 p., o.p., 5/9/16). The Commission's distribution plan was adopted.
Steel Costs and Profits (O.P.A.), Wartime, 1942-43.—A report on the Commission's survey of costs,
prices and profits in the steel industry, begun in April 1942 at the request of O.P.A., was made to that agency.
The inquiry covered 29 important steel-producing companies.
Steel Industry (O.P.M.), Wartime, 1941-42.—This investigation covered practically every steel mill in
the country and was conducted for the purpose of determining the manner in which the priorities and orders
promulgated by the Office of Production Management were being observed, i.e., the technique used in the
steel industry in meeting the requirements of O.P.M. (later the War Production Board) orders and forms
controlling the distribution of pig iron, iron and steel, iron and steel alloys, and iron and steel scrap.
Textile Mills, Cotton (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1943-44.—For the War Production Board the Commission
conducted a compliance investigation of manufacturers of cotton yarns, cordage, and twine to ascertain
whether they were in violation of Priorities Regulation 1, as amended, by their failure to fill higher rated
orders at the time they filled lower rated orders.
Tin Consumers (W.P.B.), Wartime, 1942-43.—The principal consumers of tin were investigated at the
instance of the War Production Board to determine the degree of their compliance with Conservation Order
m-43-a, as amended, and other orders and regulations issued by the Director of the Division of Industry
Operation, controlling the inventories, distribution, and use of the tin supply in the United States.
War Materials Contracts (House), Wartime, 1941-42.—At the request of the House Committee on Naval
Affairs, the Commission assigned economic and legal examiners to assist in the Committee's inquiry into
progress of the national defense program (H. Res. 162, 77th 4/2/41). The Commission's examiners were
active in field investiga107

tions covering aircraft manufacturers' cost records and operation, naval air station construction, materials
purchased for use on Government contracts, and industry expansion financing programs.
Wartime Inquiries, 1941-45.—To aid in the 1941-45 war program, F.T.C. was called upon by other
Government departments, particularly the war agencies, to use its investigative, legal, accounting, statistical
and other services in conducting investigations. It made cost, price, and profit studies; compiled industrial
corporation financial data; investigated compliance by basic industries with W.P.B. priority orders; and
studied methods and costs of distributing important commodities. The 1941-45 wartime investigations are
herein listed under the headings: Advertising as a Factor in Distribution; Cigarette Shortage; Distribution
Methods and Costs; Fertilizer and Related Products; Food—Biscuits and Crackers; Food—Bread Baking;
Food-Fish; Food-Flour Milling; Household Furniture; Industrial Financial Reports; Metal-Working
Machines; Paperboard; Priorities; Steel Costs and Profits; and War Material Contracts.

The following is a published investigation by the Commission for the use of other
Government agencies:
Food-Manufacturing (National Commission on Food Marketing).—Examines trends in key
structural and behavioral variables affecting the competitive performance of major food
manufacturing industries. Included for analysis are: patterns of concentration, integration,
diversification and product differentiation, as well as profit behavior, conditions of entry, merger
trends and antitrust enforcement. This report was published by the National Commission on Food
Marketing as Technical Study No. 8, June 1966. (The Structure of Food Manufacturing, 350 p.)
108
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0—238-586