Evening star., 1894-02-17
SAID IT WAS ROT
So SOsecretaryMor Russian Thistle
Letter Was Described.
SPICY SCENE BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE
A Western Governor and a Con-
gresham Become Sarcastic.
B LESSING IN DISCUS

Hearings were given by the House COM
mittee on agriculture today to representa-
tives of the farming interests of the north
west who favor the bills before Congress
for the determination of the Russian
thistle. Gov. Shortridge Of North Dakota
was the principal speaker. The Secretary
of Agriculture was ridiculed by Represen-
tative Sihley, a democrat from Pennsyl-
vania, because of a letter written last Au-
gust, stating that the weed was q blessing.
because sheep would eat it. Representative
Hainer, a Nebraska republican, resented
the remarks of Mr.. Sibiey and defended
the Secretary.
The first speaker was Representative
Boen of Minnesota, who has a bill for ex-
terminating the thistle before Congress. and
who described the ravages Of the weed.
Gov. Shortridge said that the weed had
been brought in by emigrants few years
ago, had spread until it covers 10000 square
miles. 1t grew to a height Of three feet,
completely choking out grain.
Unless war could be successfully waged
against this weed many farmers would be
compelled to abandon their lands entirely.
State legislation had been directed against
II for its destruction by town and county
ogencies, but this proved insufficient. He
advocated liberal appropriation from Con-
gress.
In answer to questions frcm Representa-
tive Simpson the governor stated that H.
OD,oOO acres of the 25.0OO,OOO of land in
North Dakota belongs to the government.
Russian agricultural officers had told him
that large tracts of land in Russia had
been absolutely abandoned because Of the
weed. Representative Sibley of Pennsylva-
nia asked. Have you not q letter from the
secretary OF Agriculture saying that the
farmers should regard this weed as a bless
ing?"
secretary Morton Criticized.
Gov. Shortridge replied that Secretary
Morton had written such a letter. but in
MS opinion the Secretary must have been
deceived by newspaper articles written by a
man who had sheep to sell.
Then Representative Sibley stated that
the Secretary of Agriculture had written
that the low price Of wheat was a blessing,
because II could be sold abroad and our
gold brought back in return
Secretary Morton's letter was character
lied by Gov. Shortridge as rot"
Representative Hainer rose to say that he
wanted to protect Secretary Morton from
attack The Secretary had a deep interest
in the welfare of the agricultural classes.
Il see no necessity for a eulogy of the
secretary or Agriculture replied Mr. Sib-
iey. TO quote his words is not to attack
nim 1 nave put no words In his mouth
that he did not use. We should have spec
incations of the Secretary's great interest
IN the agricultural classes IL he is to be
discussed. If the Secretary believes the
weed Is blessing he Is not the man to put
In charge Of the measures for its extermi-
nation"
Brought by Foreigners.
Chairman Hatch of the committee de-
ciared the discussion out of order and end
ed 1t. Maj. Charles W. Butts of Buttsville.
n. d.. large farmer and an ex-member of
congress, addressed the committee upon the
eHects OF the weed. 1t choked the grain
plnding machines and made their use i'm
possible. The Russian government had
taken charge of its infested lands for two
years feeding the farmers meantime Since
Congress permitted the foreigners to enter
VINO brought the weed 1t should furnish
funds for determination