River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-11-30
SECRETARY NORTON.
He Reviews the Work of the Department
of Agriculture.

He Reviews the Work of the Department
of Agriculture.
NAsFINGTCS. Nov 2s-The secretary OF
agriculture. In his report just submitted TO the
president. regrets the vague character OF the
depa. tment Organization, which. he says offers
opuent oppos ;unities for the exercice OF the
most pronounced paternalisrn. but he adds that
there are many proper ways in which the fed
eral government may legitimately serve the
cause Of agriculture. He deyotes considerable
space TO review Of what he regards as the
anomalous partnership between the govern
ment OF the United States and the governments
OF the RESPECTIVE states for the conduct and en-
enlargement OF state agricultural colleges and
experiment stations Referring to the sum ap
prOSriaied for the use Of state experiment Ia
tons he says:
This appropriation is unlike any other pub
lie moneys legislsted out OF tie treasury Of the
United States because there is no officer OF the
United States authorized TO direct limit
control or audit its itemized erpendi-
lures. stations should be entirely d.
vo-eed from the department and the sum
appropriated charged directly to them. or the
secretary should have some power 10 direct
and restrain their disbursements as
20 insure legitimate expenditure OF the same
In view OF the rumors that have obtained Gre
denoe in some Of the states and territories TO
the effect that moneys appropriated 10 the sta
purposes. thorough investigation should be
made 10 demonstrate either the truth or falsity
OF such reports.
In reft renee 20 the expenditures the secre-
tary states that his strenuous endeavor, in
view OF depleted public treasury and Of the
imperative demands Of taxpayers for econ
omy in the administration OF the govern
ment. has been TO nationally reduce ex-
penditure- by the elimination from the pay
rolls II all persons not needed for an
efficient conduct OF the affairs OF the
department" He gives the number Of
and states that there now on the pay rolls
1894, q reduction of 513; and OF the i,gea he
says that eleven are on duty In the ofrce OF the
civil service commission 10 which they were
assigned by request OF the commission He
has during the first quarter OF the fiscal year
reduced expenditures in comparison with the
corresponding quarter of last year s5600
The classified service Is pronounced TO be de-
fective largely owing 10 the inequalities In
compensation with reference 10 the services
rendered These inequalities he attributes
largely to the appl opriation acts making statu-
tory positions for the clerical force. He argues
that appropriations should be made in
gross for the clerical force, and that full dis
erection should be given TO the head of the de-
partment In the matter Of remuneration, az
firming that there can be no good reason
urged against the government OF the United
manner that they are secured by the successful
business interests OF the country"
The distribution of seed at the public ex-
pense is reviewed at length and its growth
traced from the year 1889 He shows "a con-
siderable saving 70 have been effected in the
purchase and the distribution OF the seed this
year
The work OF the bureau OF animal industry is
reviewed in detail. The secretary says:
"The result OF the Texas fever regulations is
highly satisfactory. but TO increase their efh
cheney q penalty should attach for violation OF
the department regulation by railroad compa-
nies transporting affected cattle. A further re-
duction has been effected by vessel inspection
IN the percentage OF cattle lost at sea, the ratio
being for the last year less than half
OF per cent The law at present does not pro-
vide for the inspection Of horses imported into
the country, and there shouldbe anamendmentin
this respect AS regards meat inspection, the
microscopical inspection has been greatly re-
dueed, the intention being TO confine il rightly
20 products intended for direct export 10 coun-
tries exacting the same
The micrcscopical inspection costs the coun.
try o. per cent OF the value of meat sold 10
countries demanding that inspection. Careful
comparison OF meat exports for 1893 with 1892
shows that microscopic inspection has not In
creased our foreign sales, and the secretary
thinks II does not pay Further recommends
tions in the work OF the bureau are for legisla-
ton compelling the immediate destruction OF
any animal or carcass condemned by the
United States inspectors; for an eXtention Of
the work in regard to tuberculosis in coopera-
tion with local authorities uu.il danger TO hu-
man life has been reduced 10 a minimum; and
for a ciyil-service examination for inspectors
and assistant inspectors, with the require
ment OF a diploma IRON regular veterinary
college.
The work OF the other divisions are reviewed
in detail but briefly. and without extended
argument The question OF forestry comes in
for some special attention. and urgent recon-
mendations are made for more thorough
and extended effort on its behalf The
completion OF experiments in sorghum
sugar is announced on the ground that stage
has been reached when individual enterprise
can and should take advantage OF what the de-
partment has accomplished"
OF the weather bureau ii is stated that the
work has been carried on with improved EN-
ciency and economy, a reduction in cost of
maintenance of nearly 10 per cent being effect
ed and estimates for the fiscal year being cor
responingly reduced A reorganization Of the
bureau has been partially effected, designed to
modify expenses and magnify the value Of the
service TO agriculture, commerce aud the peo-
pie at large.
Reference to the immense aggregate OF i'm
ports OF agricultural products suggests the in
Quiry, ought not a large proportion of these to
be produced upon our own soil. in proximity to
our own markets where AnS liflultfSt dtuldntl
existsi And the reply Is in the Affirmative.
The secretary says:
Hides, fruits nuts and wines could all be
produced in this country" so with considerable
shares OF the fibers. tobacco and sugar. Our
farmers would be benefited by a large number
OF subsidiary crops. the overproduction of GER
tain staples avoided. the variety of our agri-
cultural supplies IN foreign markets increased
and the markets themselves multiplied All
persons engaged in the work OF agricultural
educa ton and experiment are enJoined to hold
steadily in view the memorable economic
facts affecting the production and disposal OF
agricultural products. American farmers
must produce what the world wants That
the relation OF supply and demand is the sole
regulator OF value, that il applies equally to
the products of the farm and OF the factory,
ought TO be engraved upon the memory and re-
hected In the Judgment and the plans OF every
farmer ia the Union
Promises of improved service by the depart
ment In the future ana recommendations Of the
useful innovations relating to the work in de
tail are withheld ia view OF the indefinite char
acter of the duties, force aud possibilities OF
I tho