Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-21
WHO WILL FOOT THE BILL.

The Secretary of Agriculture and the Ex.
Pense- of Government Employees to Chicago
The Secretary OF Agriculture recently COM
inundated with Assistant Secretary Willets
asking for certain information regarding the
exhibit of that department at the worlds fair
In connection with the employees to be sen,
to the fair the Secretary said: Let me suggest
that only experts and men skilled and pecu-
LARRY fitted to properly establish. maintain and
explain the exhibit ought to be taken there
from this department. There is plenty of assist
ance not requiring such qualifications to be had
on the grounds.
Tell me- also whether it is your intention to
send different individuals at different times
to attend to the same duties at the world
Columbian exhibit 1t seems to me important
that those who have transportation to the
worlds Columbian exhibit from the government
no circumstances should this occasion be used
so As to take employees Of the Agri-
cultural Department to the world
Columbian exhibit to remain few
days at the governments expense. The amount
for transportation should be limited. and 1
think. also. that subsistence should be for very
good cause and in only few cases. / cannot
see the prOprietv of paving the regular salary,
plus transportation. plus subsistence. But as
desire to do noinjustice. Iawait a full statement
VIEWS OF ME- wILLErs-
The reply Of Assistant Secretary willets was
given out today. He reviews in q general state
ment the plan for the government exhibit and
after referring to the organization OF the body
having charge Of II. says: 1T became manifest
al once as soon We had organized that We had
no assurance OF any money, as the national
commission had organized on such a basis as
would require more than the 81 100. 900, and
were proceeding to spend the money with a zeal
animated largely bya first experience In getting
at the public treasury.
OF the total amount, 10000. appropriated
for the OF the department there remained
on March 1, '9S. $50. S02. The obligations and
estimates leave of this amount a balance of
S4.569.jl for contingent expenses
Regarding the plan TO the employees the
report says: MY plan has been TO detail from
the divisions from time TO time experts to take
charge of the specific exhibits OF said divisions.
Inc persons to be selected viii be SO thor
oGghly acquainted with the work OF their
divisions to be able to explain not
Only the exhibit. but to answer ques-
lions from all inquirers with reference
20 their functions in the department.
J had contemplated that transportation should
be granted 20 but one there and back for each
respective division that should be reDresented;
that the others detailed should pay their own
t-anspOr tation. but that all should have reason
able subsistence while on duty. You suggest
that they ought not &c be afforded salary, sub
slstence and transportation.
DON'T WANT THEIR LEAVE THAT WAY
81 submit that an assistant on n salary of
81 400 to 81 900 year. in case 81 800. who
should be competent to represent tine depart
.lent III this matter. with a family to support.
cannot afford To pay for mis- own subsistence
Tor six months out of his salary. a
sum which would be equivalent to running
a separate establishment. 1t would
be injustice 20 detail him with
sacn tax on his salary. already too small.
Each one of these l. entitled to a leave OF alb
-enee OF thirty days with paw. they would
much rather take OF o. their leave and
learn more of the whole exposition in that week
than they could in two months assigned to duty
during exposition hours. closely confined to the
exhibit of their divisions.
The division OF chemistry is to have a we'll
equipped laboratory IN operation. and at least
two chemists there al the tine: not simply to
show people chemical results. but to show
people how these results are obtained. The
weather bureau Is to be operated. in a small
way. II Is true. The same the weather bureau
IN TINS elty. Daily maps are to be issued,
struck oil on tie grounds. all the paT2Ohernalia
OF the reports received. and the predictions
made in open view