New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-27
FIRST DEPARTMENT REPORT.
1T IS THAT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRI-
CULTURE.

| CULTURE.
| MR. MORTON TELLS HOW HE HAS CCT DOWN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FOR FUR
THEIR ECONOMY-wORK OF THE
| VARIOUS BUREAUS.
Washington. Nov 26-The Secretary Of Agri-
culture In his report Just submitted to the Presi-
| dent regrets the vague character Of the depart
| nent organization, which he says "oners opuieh'
! opportunities for the exercise OF the most pro-
nounced paternalsm,' but he adC'. that there are
/ many proper ways in which the Federal Govern
| ment may legttimatey serve the cause OF agri-
| culture He devotes considerable space TO re-
| view of what he regards anomalous part
| nership between the Government of the United
| States and the governments Of the respective
States for the conduct and ENCOURAGEMENT OF state
agricultural colleges and experiment stations. he-
ferring to the appropriated for the use OF
State experiment stations. he saws: This appro-
priation Is unlike any other public moneys lcgis-
lated out OF the Treasury of the United states be-
cause there is NO officer OF the United states
authorized to direct. limit. control or audit It's
itemized expenditure" He suggests that the sta
lions should be entirely divorced from the depart
II ent and the appropriated charged directly
to Them or that the Secretary should have some
power to direct and restrain their disbursements
SO as to insure a legitimate expenditure OF the
same
In reference to expenditures the Secretary states
that his strenuous endeavor, In view OF depleted
public treasury and Of the imperative demands OF
taxpayers for economy in the administration oil
the Government has been to nationally reduce ex-
penditures by the elimination from the pay-rolls
Of all persons not needed for an efficient conduct
of the affairs Of the department" He gives the
number Of employees when he took charge as ~
and states that there are now on the pay-roils only
/ 1884, a reduction of 503; and of the l,99i he says
hot office
Service Commission to which they were assigned
by request Of the commission. He complains OF
the gross inequality in the compensation OF de-
partment employees. which has added to the diff
Guilty Of retrenchment. He has, however. during
the first quarter of the fiscal year. reduced ex-
penditures In comparison with the corresponding
quarter of last year by $4,000 He presents
O table giving the appropriations for the current
fiscal year and his estimates for next year. show
ing a net saving his estimates over the appro-
pratons for the current year Of 1868 CSC a.
Among the heads OF divisions charges under his
administration have been exceedingly few. and In
these cases the vacancies have generally been
filled by the promotion Of experienced assistants
and in recognition of long. faithful and competent
service to the Government
The distribution OF seed at the public expense Is
reviewed at length and It's growth traced from the
year lS39 when Commissioner Of Patents Ellsworth
obtained appropriation of 1900 for the purpose
Of collecting and distributing varieties Of SEED
and for other purposes He shows considerable
saving to have been effected in the purchase and
the distribution of the seed this year.
The work Of the Bureau Of Animal Industry is re-
viewed In considerable detail. each one OF its prin-
cipai features being briefly considered The result Of
the Texas fever regulations Is pronounced TO be
highly satisfactory; but 10 increase their ef1ciency
1t is suggested that penalty should attach for
violation Of the department regulations by railroad
companies transporting infected cattle. The total
number Of import animals inspected the last year
was $685. the total number OF export cattle in
spected elise A further reduction has been
effected by vessel inspection in the percentage OF
cattle lost the ratio being for the last year
less than one-half Of l per cent. The law at
present does not provide for the inspection OF
horses imported into the country. and an amend
ment In this respect Is suggested. AS regards meat
inspection the microscopical inspection has been
greatly reduced, the intention being to confine II
rgidly to products intended for direct export to
countries exacting the same. The miscrnscoInca
inspection costs the country 81 per cent OF The
value of the meat sold 10 countries demanding that
inspection Careful comparison Of meat exports
for 1899 with 1892 shows that microscopic inspection
has not increased foreign sales, and the Secre-
tary thinks II does not pay.
The work of the other divisions Is reviewed In
detail. but briefly and without extended argument
The question Of forestry comes in for some special
attention, and urgent recommendations are made
half The completion Of experiments In sorghum
sugar is announced. on the ground that stage has
been reached when individual enterprise can ana
should take advantage OF what the Department has
ACCOMPLISHED" on the advice of Professor Wiley.
some further experiments with sugar beets and
with sugar cane in Florida are recommended
Investigations OF the chemical character of differ
cnt typical soils of the United States pro-
nounced to be desirable and recommendation Is
made for small appropriation special APP
preparation is also recommended In furtherance
of the work OF collating information regarding
praton being ITO enable the Secretary OF Agrcul
lure to investigate and report upon the nutrive
value Of the various articles and commodities USED
Promscuous free distribution nj publications
supplying certain copies free to libraries and edu-
cational institutions a moderate price should be
charged for the remaining copies.
or the Weather Bureau II is stated that the
work has been carried on with improved efficiency
OF nearly 10 per cent being effected and estimates
for the fiscal year being correspondingly Reduced
Erected. designed to modify expenses and mag mag
nifty the value Of the service to agriculture; com,
az
duty duty Of 1.-THE the Bureau to the public. - -
The vast importance OF the work Of the Division
ss 0 Be nS d "Gss
Information i gathers promptly dlnused' says the |
tbs "a on the ana Vital
represent nearly one-haif Of our population,
ports and their destination. earnest plea Is made
for the dversication OF agricultural exports and |
the widening Of foreign markets therefor: Ref,
agricultural products suggests the inquiry. Ought
not large proportion OF these TO be produced upon
whore this immense demand exists? And the reply |
is In the Affirmative. Hides, fruits nuts and
in this country. SO With eonsiderable Share Of
bs bnnses tobacco and sugar Our farmers would