The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-05

| year preceding IL of $50 Isl. al
The vast area of lani which but short
| time ago constituted the public domain is
rapidly falling into private hands. 1t is
| intention of the government to supply
4 from is domain homes 20 the industrious
| and worthy home-seekers Is often frus-
| trased through the Spectator. who stands
/ with extortionate purpose between the
| land Office and those who. with their fam
/ lilies, are invited by the government to set
| tie on the public lands. Itisa despicable
| practice which ought not to be
| tolerated. Yet is is difficult 10
| thwart their schemes. The recent
opening to settlement OF the lands
| in the Cherokee outlet, embracing an area
| OF Z, 5000 acres. Notwithstanding the Ut
| most care in framing the regulations gov
| erning the selection Of locations and not
| withstanding the presence of United
States troops, furnished an exhibition.
though perhaps in n modified degree, of
the mad scramble, the violence and the
fraudulent occupation which have accom-
panied previous openings of public land.
l concur with the secretary in the belief
that these outrageous Incidents cannot be
entirely prevented without change in
the laws on the subject, and hope his
recommendations IN that direction will be
favorably considered.
especially commend to the attention of
COuGESSS tuc SkStc&AcutS tOA&SAASa AA tAc
sscretary's report concerning forestry.
The time has come when efficient meas
ures should be taken for the preservation
OF our forests from indiscriminate and
rsmediless destruction.
The report of the secretary of agriculture
will be found exceedingly interesting.
especially to that large part of our citizens
intimately connected in agricultural occu-
pations. On the TIN day of March, 1898.
there were upon its pay rolls 2,iSo en-
ployes. This number has been reduced TO
1850 persons. In view OF depleted pub
lie treasury and the imperative demand of
the people for economy in the administra-
ton of their government, the secretary has
entered upon the task of nationally reduc-
ing expenditures by the elimination from
the pay rolls of all persons not needed for
an efficient conduct of the affairs of the
department. During the first quarter of
the present year the expenses OF the de-
partment aggregated $3i5, 976.76, as against
S402. OBI. ~ Tor the corresponding period of
the fiscal year ending june so. 1898. The
secretary makes apparent his intention to
continue this rate of reduction by submit
ting estimates for the next fiscal year less
by $99A $50 than those for the present year.
Among the heads of divisions in this
department the changes have been
exceedingly few. Three vacancies occur
ring from death and designations have
been filled by the promotion of assistants
in the same divisions. These promotions
of experienced ana faithful assistants have
not only been in the same interest of
efhcient work, but have suggested to those
in the department who look for retention
and promotion that merit and devotion to
duty are their best reliance. The amount
appropriated for the bureau of animal in
dustry for the current fiscal year is $50 900
and the estimate for the ensuing year is
500 900. The regulations OF 1872 concern
faYaS fayAr have peQn enforced dnFinU
the last year. and the largest stock yards
of the country have been free from infec-
ton. Occasional local outbreaks have
been largely such as could have been effect
ually guarded against by the owners
of the affected cattle While con-
tagious pleuro-pneumonia in cattle
has been eradicated, animal tuberculosis.
a disease widespread and more dangerous
to human life than pieuro-pneumonia. Is
still prevalent. Investigations have been
made during the past year as TO the means
of its communication and the method of
its correct diagnosis. Much progress has
been made in this direction by the studies
of the division OF animal pathology, but
the work ought to be extended IN co-opera-
ton with local authorities until the dan
ger to human life arising from this cause
is reduced to o minimum. The number of
animals arriving from Canada during the
year and inspected by bureau officers was
462, 092 and the number from transatlantic
countries was ,297. No contagious disease
was found among the imported animals.
The total number o { inspections of cattle
for export during the past fiscal year was
6il.542
The exports show a falling off Of about
Is per cent. from the previous year, the
decrease occurring entirely In the last
half of the year. This suggests that the
falling off may have been largely due to
an increase In the price OF American ex-
mort cattle. During the year ending June
80, 1893. exports OF inspected pork aggre-
gated 70. 677. 4l0 pounds as against IS, 1872
s14 pounds tor the preceding year. The
failing of in this export WAS not con-
fined, however, to inspected pork, the
total quantity exported in 1892 being
665, 400. 6l6 pounds, while in 1898 it was
only 52i ,30S. 695 pounds.
join the secretary in recommending
that hereafter each applicant for the po-
sition OF inspector or assistant in
spector in the bureau of animal in
dustry be required. as q condition pre-
cedent to his appointment, TO exhibit to
the United States civil service commits
sioners diploma from an established,
regular and reputable veterinary college,
and that this be supplemented by such an
examination in veterinary science as the
commission may prescribe.
The exports OF agricultural products
from the United States for the fiscal year
nous figure of $500, 600 600 in round num-
bers. being 1877 per cent. Of our total
exports. In the last fiscal year this aggre-
gate was greatly reduced, but nsverthe.
less reached $3.50, 0oo. oo0 being ISL per
cent. OF all American commodities ex.
ported. A review of our agricultural
exports with special reference to their
destination will show that in almost every
line the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland absorbs by far the largest pro-
portion of cattle. The total exports az
gregated in value for the fiscal wear ending
June 80, 1888. s26. 00o. 0o0 of which Great
Britaia took considerably over So. 600 600.
OF beef products OF all kinds our total
exports were So, 900, 600 of which Great
Britain took $2i, 10000 OF pork products
the total exports we're $34 600 600, of which
Great Britain took $33.00o,oDO In bread
stufts, cotton and minor products like pro-
portions sent TO the same destination are
shown.
The work of the statistical division ~
the department OF agriculture deals with
that which relates to the economics
of farming. The main purpose of it's
monthly reports Is to keep the farmers in
formed as fully as possible Of all matters
having any influence upon the worlds
markets, in which their products find sale
Its publication relates specially TO the
commercial side OF farming. Its. there
fore, of profound importance and vital
concern TO the farmers of the United
States, who represent nearly half Of our
population. and also of direct interest 10
the whole country. that the work of this
division be efficiently performed, and tina,
tne information u has gathered be
promptly diHuscd. Ii Is matter for con-
In ksa hat. -.