The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-27
NORTON ON AGRICULTURE.
4 Synopsis Of the SeCTetaTy'S Annual
Report,

Too Many Opportunities for Paternal-
ism offered by the Organization OF
the Department-Th Relations OF
the Department With the Agricul.
tural Colleges and Experiment
Stations Not Satisfactory-A Great
Saving Effected in the Expenses of
Operating the Departm -Distri
button of Seed-Inspection Of Cattle.
The Weather Bureau.
Washington, Nov. 26.-Secretary of
Agriculture Morton, in his report lust
submitted to the President, regrets the
vague character of the department or
ganizatiOn, which he says ''offers opuIent
opportunities for the exercise of the most
pronounced paternalism, but he adds
that there are many proper ways in which
the federal government may legitimately
serve the cause Of agri culture.
He devotes considerable space to a re-
view Of what he regards as an anomalous
partnership between the government of
the United States and the governments of
colleges and experiment stations. Re
ferring to the sum appropriated for use of
state experiment stations, he says: This
appropriation is unlike any other public
moneys legislated out by the United
States, because no officer of the United
States is authorized to direct. limit, con
trol, or audit its itemized expenditure. -
He suggests that the stations should be
entirely diyested from the department
and the sum appropriated charged di-
lnnf H.
should have some power to direct or re
strain their disbursements so as to insure
legitimate expenditure of the same. He
adds that in view of rumors that have OBJ
tanned credence in some Of the states and
territories to the effect that moneys an
priated to the stations have been diverted
from their legitimate purposes, a thor
ough investigation should be made to
demonstrate either the truth or falsity of
such reports.
ECONOMY IN THE DEPARTMENT.
In reference to the expenditures the
secretary states that his strenuous en-
deayOr, in view of depleted public treas
ury and the Imperative demands of the
tax payers for economy in the administra-
ton of the government, has been to ..ra-
tionally reduce expenditures by the elimi.
nation from the pay-rolls of all persons
not needed for an Cficiept conduct Of the
duOlIS VI bAlC OGDdEGllG nc gives The
number of employees when he took charge
as ? ,491, and states that there are on the
pay-rolls only 1904, reduction
of sos; and of the 1914 he says that eleven
are on duty in the Office of the civil SER
vice commission, to which they were as
signed by request of the commission. He
has, during the first quarter OF the fiscal
year, reduced expenditures in comparison
with the corresponding quarter of last
year, by over 500, 900.
The classified serYiceis pronounced to
be defective, largely owing to the in
capabilities in compensation with refer
Cnce to the services rendered. These
inequalities he attributes largely to the
appropriation acts making statutory pro
visions for the clerical force. He argues
that appropriations should be made in
gross for the clerical force, and that full
discretion should be given to the head of
the department in the matter of remuner-
alton, affirming that there can be no
good reason urged against the government
OF the United States securing efficient
services in the same manner that they
are secured by the successful business in
terests Of the country"
DISTRIBUTION OF SEED.
The distribution of seed at the public
expense is reviewed at length and its
growth traced from the year 1882 when
Commissioner of Patents Ellsworth OBJ
tanned an appropriation of $4,000 for the
purpose of collecting and distributing rare
varieties of seed and other purposes. He
shows considerable saving to have been
erected in the purchase and distribution
OF seed this year.
The work of the bureau of animal in
dustry is reviewed in detail The result of
the Texas fever regulations is pronounced
10 De highly satisfactory, but to increase
their efficiency it is suggested that pen
atty should attach for violation of the de-
partment regulations by railroad compa-
mes transporting infected cattle
A further reduction has been effected
by vessel inspectors in the percentarge of
cattle lost at sea, 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, and an
amendment in this respect is suggested.
AS regards meat inspection, the micro
scoplcal inspection has been greatly re-
duced, the intention being to confine it
rlgldly to products intended for direct ex-
port to countries eXaCting the same.
FromlscuouS, free distribution of publi-
cations is condemned, and the suggestion
made that, after supplying certain copies
1ree, to libraries and educational insti-
tutlons, moderate price should be
charged Tor the remaining copies.
THE WEATHER BUREAU.
OF the weather bureau it is stated that
the work has been carried on with i'm
proved efficiency and economy a reduc-
ton in the cost of the maintenance of
nearly 10 cent. being effected, and the es-
Inmates for the fiscal year being CORE
spondinglyrreduced. A reorganization
OF the bureau has been partially eff
iected, designed to modify expenses and
magnify the value of the service to agri-
culture, commerce and the people at large.
system Of exchange with the depart
ment and the central METEOROLOGICAL OBJ
Seryatory of Mexico, is announced on
terms similar to those in operation with
canada, while the desirabiIity of full tel
egraphic reports from the Bahamas is
emphasized
\, In concluding his report, Secretary
Morton says that there are in the United
olates more than 6,000000 farms, upon
which dwell more than 10000. 600 people
VINO furnish more than "a per cent Of the
value OF the exports of this country. The
department is, therefore, he argues, in
lenued to be charged with responsibility
ana duties touching interests, intimately !
daectlng the life, property and happiness