Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-12-14


$40. 900 80 enable the Secretary OF ,rlcu!-
lure to investigate and report upon the nu'
tritive value of the various articles and con.
modities used for human food, with special
suggestion of full, wholesome aad eliolo
rations less wasteful and mora economlcai
than those in common use"
Under this appropriation the department
has prepared and now has nearly ready lor
distribution an elementary discussion OF the
nutritive value and pecuniarY economy OF
fool. When we consider that fuliy one
half Of all the money earned by the wage
earners ofthe civilized world is expended ny
them for food, the Importance ard utility
OF such an investigation is apparent.
THE denartmeut oxpended in the fiscal
year 1892, 50, ,354, ,SO9. Sc and out of that sum
the total amount expended in scientific re-
search was 456 per cent. But in the year
ending June 80, 1894, out OF total expendi-
ture OF 81, ,948. .98S. SO, the department APP
nlled 81. s. per cent. OF that sum to scientific
work and investigation. 1t Is, therefore,
very plainly observable that the economies
which have been practiced in the admins
tration OF the department have not been al
the expense of scientific research:
The Recommendation contained IN the re-
mort of the Secretary for 1893, that the
vcious system Of free distribution OF lis de-
partment documents be abandoned IS again
urged. These publications may well be fur-
nished without cost to public libraries, eiu-
cational institutions and the officers and lie
braries of States and of the Federal Govern
ment But from all individuals applying
for them q price covering the cost OF Inc
document asked for should be required.
Thus the publications ana doc-
uments would be socurei by those
who really desire them for proper purposes.
Half million of cop es ofthe report OF the
Secretary of Agriculture are printed Tor dls-
tribution at an annual cost of about S3OO,-
600. Large numbers OF them are cum
berng store rooms at the Capitol ana the
shelves of secondhand book stores through
out the country All this labor and waste
might be avoided if the RECOMMENDATIONS Vi
the Secretary were adopted. .
Tho Secretary also again recommends that
the gratuitous distribution of seeds cease
and that no money be appropriated for that
purpose, except to experiment stations. he
reterates the reasons given in his report ior
1898 for discontinuing this unjusliiiable gra-
tuitv. and fully concur in the conclusions
which he has reached.
A further important utility in agricultural
statistics is found in their elucidation OF the
relation of the supply OF farm products 10
the demand for them in the markets OF tne
United States and of the world.
1t is deemed possible that an agricultural
census may be taken each year through the
agents of the statistical division OF the de-
n9rtment Such a course is commended for
trial by the chief Of that division lis scope
would be:
III The area under each of the more inn
portant crops.
C2) The aggregate products of each OF
such crops.
(3) The quantity OF wheat and corn in the
hands of farmers at date after the spring
sowings and paintings and before the begin
ming of harvest and also the quantity OF
cotton and tobacco remaining in the hands
OF planters, either at the same date or at
some other designated time. oo
The cost of the work Is estimated at $780,
00O.
Owing to thepecular quality Of the stalls
ticians work and the natural and acquired
fitness necessary to its successful prosecu'
tion. the Secretary. OF Agriculture expresses
the opinion that every person employed IN
potherng statistics under tho chief OF that
division should be admitted to that service
only after thorough, exhaustive AMI sue
cessful examination at the hands OF TIE
United STATES Civil Service Commission.
This has lei him to call for such exan,ina
ant statisticians ard also OF candidates ior
chief of sections In that division.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The advantages to the public service OF an
adherence to the principles OF civil service
reform are constantly more apparent, an
nothing Is so encouraging TO those IN OIL
cial lie who honestly desire good govern
ment as the increasing appreciation by our
4 A
| ~ of the voters OF the land are r5ady
TO insist that the time and attention OF thoSf
thew select to perform for them important
public duties. should not be dlstractei DS
dolinp out minor offices, and they ara grow
ing to be unanimous in regarding purity or
panizltion as something that should D,
used in establishing party principles instea
of debating the distribution OF public place;
as rewards OF partisan activity.
Numerous additional offices and places
have lately been brought within CivllServic'
rules and regulations. and some otners VIII
probably soon be included.
The report Of the Commissioners WIN D
submitted to the Congress, and L lnVli
careful attention to the recommendations
contains.
A NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
lam entirely convinced that we ought n
TO be longer without National Board
Health, or National Health Officer, charge
with no other duties than such rs perta
TO the protection of our country from the Il
yasion Of pestilence and disease. This Wou
involve the establishment, by such boarI
officer. of proper quarantine precautions,
the necessary aid and counsel TO local al
thorlties on the subject, prompt advice an
assistance TO local boards OF heat
or health officers in the suppression
contagious disease, and IN chs
where there are no suchlocal boards or of
GERS. the immediate direction by the
tional Board or officer Of measures oil sup
preston, constant AMI authentic inFormi
tion concerning the health OF foreign coul
tries AMI all parts OF our own country a
related to contagious Diseases, and coas'
eration Of regulations to be enforced in Tor
eiyn ports TO prevent the intro tuclion @
contagion isto our cities, and the msasur'
which should be adopted to secure their en-
forcement.
There seems to be ut this time a decide
inclination to discuss measures OF protectIo
AGAINST contagious disease in internationi
conference. with a view OF adopting meal
of mutual assistance. The creation OF sue
n National health establishment woul
greatly aid our standing in such conference
and improve our opportunities to avail cul
selves of their benefits.
earnestly recon- mend the Inauguration
of A National Board Of Health, or slmlla
National instru mentality, believing tha sam
to be- a needed precaution against coati
| gious disease and in the interest OF the safet
and health of our people,
RAILROADS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.
By virtue OF statue Of the United State
passed in 1888, appointed in July last Ho
John D. Herman. Of the State OF New Yor
and Hon. Nicholas E. Worthing on, OF Il
State of Illinois, to form with with Hon. Ca
roll D. Wright, Commissioner Of Labor, VI
-. I...i..nntnd h,. mid Qtnfnfn a cOmmiSSiI