Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-27
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
submits His Annual Report-SOme Inn
portant Recommendations.

WASHINGTON, D. c., November 26.-
[ The Secretary of Agriculture in his re-
port lust submitted to the President re-
crets the vague character Of the de-
partment organization, which, he says,
s'ofers oppulent opportunities for the
exercise OF the most pronounced pattern
alism." but he adds that there are
MANY proper ways in which the federal
government may legitimately serve the
! calse OF agriculture. He devotes con-
siderable space to a review OF what
be regards as an anomalous partnership
| between the government OF the United
! States and the government OF the re-
spective States for the conduct and en-
couragement OF State agricultural COL
leges and experiment stations. Refer
ing to the sum appropriated for the use
/ of State experiment stations, he says:
"This appropriation is unlike any other
public moneys legislated out of the
Treasury OF the United States because
there is no officer of the United States
authorized to direct, limit, control, or
audit it's itemized expenditure"
| He suggests that the stations should
| be entirely divorced from the depart
ment and the sum appropriated charg-
| ed directly to them, or that the Secre-
! tary should have some power TO direct
| and restrain their disbursements so as
to insure a legitimate expenditure OF
the same. He adds that in view of
| rumors that have obtained credence in
| some of the States and territories to
the effect that moneys appropriated to
/ the stations have been diverted from
their legitimate public purposes, a
thorough investigation should be made
] to demonstrate either the truth or
| falsity of such charge.
In reference to expenditures the Sec
/ retary states that his strenuous en-
deavor, in view of depleted public
! treasury and OF the imperative demands
! of taxpayers for economy in the admin
! istration OF the government has been to
! nationally reduce expenditures by the
elimination from the pay rolls OF all per-
sons not needed for an efficient conduct
OF the affairs of the department"
He gives the numoer OF employees
when he took charge as 2,497, and states
! that there are now on the pay rolls only
| 1894, a reduction of sos.
He presents a table giving the appro-
priations for the current fiscal year and
his estimates for next year, showing a
net saving in his estimates over the ap-
propriations for the current year OF
1869, 656.94.
The work of the bureau Of animal
industry is reviewed in considerable de-
tail, each one of its principal features
being briefly considered. The result
of the Texas fevery regulations is pro-
nounced to be highly satisfactory; but
TO increase their efficiency. 1t is sug-
gested that Leaalty should attach for
violation of the department regulations
by railroad companies transporting In
fected cattle.
Further recommendations in the
work of the bureau are for the legisa-
tion compelling the immediate destruc-
tion of any animal condemned, for an
extension of the work in regard to
tuberculosis in cooperation with local
authorities until danger TO human life
! has been reduced to minimum; and
a civil service examination for inspect
ors and assistant inspectors with the
requirement Of diploma from regular
veterinary college.
The work of the other divisions Mas
reviewed in detail but briefly and with
out extended argument The question
of forestry comes in for special atten-
tion. and urgent recommendations are
made for more thorough and extended
effort on its behalf.
OF the weather bureau it is reported
| that the work has been carried on with
improved efficiency and economy, a re-
ducuon in cost of maintenance OF near
" 10 per cent being effected the esti-
mates with the fiscal year being corre-
/ spondingly reduced. A reorganization
Of the bureau has been partially effect
ed, designed TO modify expenses aud
magnify the value OF the service to ag-
riculture, commerce and the people at
| large.
Reviewing with some detail our agri-
! cultural exports and their destination,
an earnest plea is made for the diversi-
fcation OF agricultural exports and the
widening OF foreign markets therefor.
1--WE want free entrance TO all the
countries OF the globe while it is in our
power to supply with any product the
varied soil and climate Of this vast
country will enable US to grow at a
profit"
Referring to the possibility that the
| virtual closing Of markets for American
products in some parts Of the Old
World must be due to the high tariff
duties upon all products that foreigners
desire to sell in our own markets, he
says the question is presented once
more TO the American mind, "Can any
- n los o. n
products of other nations without shut
ting in a value equal TO the things shut
out"
"Ought not a large proportion OF
these To be produced upon our own soil
in proximity to our own markets where
this immense demand exists? And the
reply is in the Affirmative. "Hides,
/ fruits, nuts and wines" says the Secre-
| tary, "cOuld be produced in this cOu n
try" so with a considerable share Of the
fbres, tobacco and sugar, our farmers
would be benefited by large number
| of subsidiary crops, the over production
OF certain staples avoided, the variety OF
our agriculture, supplies to foreign
| markets increased and the markets
themselves multiplied.
Concluding his report Secretary Nor
ton SAYS that there are In the United
States more than 5000, 600 farms upon
| which dwell more than $4,000, ZOO
people who furnish more than "A per
cent of the value of the exports of this
country. The department, therefore,
he argues, shoNld De charged with the
resp onsibility and duties touching the
interests intimately affecting the life,
prosperity and happiness Of the whole
people. As 20 edifice, however sym
metrieal and perfect its superstructure,
can endure except the foundations be