Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-14
A PROPOSED TRANSFER
Of the Geological Survey and the Fish
Commission.
Both Bureaus to He Brought Under
the Secretary of Agriculture's
Control.

For number of years past efforts have
been made by congressional legislation to
secure the transfer of the geological sur
Vey and the fish commission to the Depart
ment Of Agriculture. The object sought to
be accomplished by this transfer is to as
semble and coordinate, under a single ad-
ministrative head, all the bureaus of the
government which have to do with the util-
ization of the wealth of the forests, fields
mines and waters. In the Fifty-first and
Fifty-second Congresses bills providing for
the transfer of these bureaus to the Depart
ment of Agriculture were favorably report
ed by Senate committees and now the
House committee on agriculture has re-
ported bill having the same object in
view. Representative Hainer OF Nebraska
has submitted long report giving the
views of the committee on the changes pro-
posed.
The Geological Survey.
Regarding the geological survey the re-
port says geology deals directly with the
soil and its formation. The study of the
earth's structure and soil is recognized as
having important bearings on the charac-
ter and quality of successful agriculture
and the Investigations of the geologist. II
properly directed, must continue to be not
only intimately connected with. but essen
husbandry. Connected with and supervised
by the Department of Agriculture the geo.
iogical survey, with its present efficient
corps OF experts, would, by its contribution
10 tne Iund OF knowledge on soil formal ton,
In the discovery of waters beneath and the
conservation of waters above the surface
OF tne earth, form a most effective agent in
STIMULATING and securing that development
OF an intensive agriculture of which the
country stands so greatly in need
The Fish Commissfon
Concerning the fish commission. the state
ment Is made that 1t is an ADEQUATE bureau.
reporting directly to Congress, and having
at present no departmental connection. Its
good work and general usefulness are ac-
knowledged. 1t has widening field of use
rulness. Its work has so developed that its
economic and administrative features form
the burden OF its duties and the object of
its largest expenditures. The time is randi
iy coming when every farmer will as GER
tainly expect to raise the fish consumed in
MS Iamlly ana to supply his neighbors en-
gagged In other pursuits as he now does with
poultry and meat products.
To Prevent Duplication.
Continuing, the report says that the fish
commission has found itself running parallel
with the work. methods and agencies of the
Department of Agriculture in its inyestiga-
tions of the many problems relating to soils
and plant and animal life. 1T is only by
bringing into one department all scientific
bureaus that this duplication can be pre-
vented and each afford to the others the
highest measure of support and assistance.
II Is not proposed to disturb the autonomy
and independent organization of these bu-
reaus, nor to introduce here the much
dreaded system of partisan removals. The
suggestion of such danger is sufficiently
answered In the well-known fact that in the
entire history of the several scientific bu-
reaus now connected with the departments Is
not single Instance Is recalled where par
tisanship has dictated an appointment or
removal" The measure has the approval
and acquiescence of all the departments af-
fected.