Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 80 Part 1.djvu/321

 80 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 89-502-JULY 13, 1966

information deemed relevant and specified by the Secretary for the making of such determination, including the following: (a) Geographic territory within the State covered by the organization's active membership; (b) Nature and size of the organization's active membership in the State, proportion of total of such active membership accounted for by farmers, a map showing the cotton-producing counties in such State in which the organization has members, the volume of cotton produced in each such county, the number of cotton producers in each such county, and the size of the organization's active cotton producer membership in each such county; (c) The extent to which the cotton producer membership of such organization is represented in setting the organization's policies; ^d) Evidence of stability and permanency of the organization; (e) Sources from which the organization's operating funds are derived; (f) Functions of the organization; and (g) The organization's ability and willingness to further the aims and objectives of this Act: Provided, however, That the primary consideration in determining the eligibility of an organization shall be whether its cotton farmer membership consists of a sufficiently large number of the cotton producers who produce a relatively significant volume of cotton to reasonably warrant its participation in the nomination of members for the Cotton Board. The Secretary shall certify any cotton producer organization which he finds to be eligible under this section, and his determination as to eligibility shall be final. REGULATIONS

SEC. 15. The Secretary is authorized to make such regulations with the force and effect of law, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and the powers vested in him by this Act. INVESTIGATIONS: POWER TO SUBPENA A N D T A K E OATHS A N D A F F I R M A T I O N S: AID OF COURTS: S E L F - I N C R I M I N A T I O N

SEC. 16. (a) The Secretary may make such investigations as he deemis necessary for the effective carrying out of his responsibilities under this Act or to determine whether a handler or any other person has engaged or is about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of any provision of this Act, or of any order, or rule or regulation issued under this Act. For the purpose of any such investigation, the Secretary is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any books, papers, and documents which are relevant to the inquiry. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in the United States. I n case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued to, any person, including a handler, the Secretary may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the produc-

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