The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-28


officer OF the United States authorized TO
direct. limit. control. or audit its itemized
expenditure" lie suggests that the sta
tiOns should De entirely divorced from the
department and the sum Appropriated
charged directly 90 them, or that the
Secretary should have some power to DE-
rect and restrain their disbursements so
as 10 insure a legitimate expenditure Of
the same lie adds that In view OF rumors
that have obtained credence In some OF
the States and territories 70 the effect
that moneys appropriated TO the stations
have been diverted from their legitimate
public purposes. a thorough Investigation
should be made 10 demonstrate either the
truth or falsity of such reports.
The classified service Is pronounced Ia
be defective. largely owing 10 the inequal-
ities In compensation with reference 10
thu services rendered. These inequalities
ne attributes largely TO the appropriation
acts. making statutory positions for the
clerical force. He argues that appropria-
tions should be made In gross Tor the cler-
ical force. and that fun discretion should
be given to the head OF the department
in the matter of remuneration, affirming
that there can he no good reason urged
against the government OF the United
states SECURING efficient services in the
the successful business interests OF the
country" He states that only eighty
eeven Of the employees IN the classified
service came in By certincatiOn BY the
civil Service Commission, while go per
sone have been covered into the classi-
fed service OF the Department by Presi-
dental orders-llS by President Arthur,
2O6 by President Cleveland In his former
administration and 3l4 by President Har-
ris0n. He points out as an all too preva-
lent and erroneous impression the notion
that clerks IN the classified service are
protected" THAT is not true" he adds.
"and that tenure of Office IN any Depart
ment depends upon industry, fidelity and
promptness. ought 10 be italicized I'm the
daily routine OF duties by those having
authority" Secretary Morton also Bug-
gests that the Civil Service Commission
should provide q nOn-compeutive eNami-
nation for any employe covered IN by
presidential order whom the head OF the
Department may select and that, upon
failure TO pass such an examination. such
employe should be dropped from the
rolls.
The work Of the Bureau Of Animal In
dustry is reviewed in considerable detail,
each one OF it's principal features being
briefly considered The result OF the
be highly satisfactory: but 20 increase
their efficiency II Is suggested that
penalty should attach for violation OF the
Department regulations by railroad COM
paules transporting Infected cattle The
total number OF import animals inspected
the past year was is5 ,3S9 the total OF eX-
port cattle inspected GIL 5i2. A further
reduction has been effected by vessel In
spection in the percentage of lost cattle
al sea. the ratio being for the last year
less than one-haf Of one per cent The
law al present does not provide for the
inspection Of horses imported into the
country and an amendment I'm this re-
spect is suggested. As regards meat IR-
spection the microscopcal inspection has
been greatly reduced. the intention being
10 confine IL rigidly to products intended
for direct export to countries eXacting
the same. The micrOscopical inspection
costs the country 6l-2 per cent. Of the
value OF meat sold TO countries demand
ing That inspection Careful comparison
of meat exports for 1893 with 1892 shows
that microscopic inspection has not in
creased our foreign sales, and tine seCre-
tary thinks it does not pay.
Further recommendations in the work
Of the bureau are Tor legislation cOmpell-
ing the immediate destruction OF any an
~
States inspectors; for an extension in the
work in regard TO tuberculosis IA cooper
alton with local authorities until danger
to human life has been reduced 10 a mini
mum; and for a civil service examination
for inspectors and assistant inspectors
with the requirement of a diploma from a
regular veterinary college.
The work OF the other divisions is re-
viewed in detail, but briefly and without
extended argument. The question Of for
estry comes in for some special attention
and urgent recommendations are made
for more thorough and extended effort
on its behalf The completion OF expert
ments In sorghum sugar is announced on
the ground that a stage has been reached
when Individual enterprise can and
should take advantage OF what the depart
ment has accomplished" on the advice
of Professor Wiley some further expert
ments with sugar beets and with sugar
cane I'm Florida are recommended
Investigation of the chemical character
OF different typical soils Of the United
states are pronounced to be desirable and
recOmn endation Is made for a small an
preparation. special appropriation is
also recommended in furtherance Of the
work Of cOllating information regarding
the nutritive value OF foods for man.
ouNu app pDl idllpu brluB 10 enaDle the
Secretary OF Agriculture TO investigate
and report upon the nutritiye value OF the
various articles and commodities used for
human food"
Promiscuous free distribution Of publica-
lions Is condemned and the suggestion
made that. after supplying certain copies
free to Libraries and educational institu-
tons, a moderate price should be charged
for the remaining copies.
An increased appropriation is recon-
mended for the purchase Of books Tor the
library, and the suggestion is made for a
law requiring the Librarian OF Congress
TO transfer 10 the library Of this depart
ment one copy Of each work upon agricul-
ture copyrighted in the United States.
The report upon the exhibit of the de-
partment at the Worlds Fair al Chicago
IS announced as forthcoming from Assist
ant Secretary of Agriculture Edwin VIII
Its.
A review Of the needs Of the department
for more room and more suitable build
ings concludes with a statement that In
period OF diminished revenue and de-
pressed business no appropriation could
Toe reasonably asked for permanent build
ings % house the department. but IL is
suggested that plans and specifications
FOR properly devised and durably con-
structed building or buildings might posi-
bly, be provided IN the interest Of economy
az no distant dav"