Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-04

more economical than those in common use,
Under , thl. Ia appropriation the department has
b2,ion an elementary discussion OF the nutri-
I'VE value and pecuniary. economy of food.
When we consider that fully one half of all the
money earned by the wage-earners of the
civilized world Is expended by them for food,
the Importance and utility Of such an investi-
ga ion is apparent. The department ex-
ss,s.i,soes " and out Of that year sum the the
total amount expended in scientific research
was 45.6 per cent. But in the year ending June
10, 1884, out of a total expenditure of 81 0as ess-
B., the department applet SIS per cent of that
sum to scientific work and Investigation. 1t ia.
economies which have been practiced in the
administration of the department have not
been at the expense Of scientific research
Promiscuous Free Distribution.
The recommendation contained in the report
OF the secretary for 1Srs that the vicious systam
Of promiscuous free distribution of its depart
mental documents be abandoned is again urged
These publications may well be furnished with
out cost to public libraries educational institu-
tons, and the Offices and libraries Of
but from all individuals applying for them a
price covering the cost of the docume mt asked
Tor should be required Thus the publications
and documents would he sscur d by those who
really desire them for proper purposes Half
a million of copi of the report of the secre-
tary of aericul. ure are printed for distribution
At an annual cost of about three hundred thou
sand dollars. Large numbers of them are
numbering store rooms at the capitol and the
n
out the country. All this la or and waste
might be avoided if the recommendations of
III, secretary were adopted The secretary
also a ain recommends that the < atuitous
distribution of seeds cease. and tina. no money
be appropr at.d for that purpose.
except to experiment stations.
he reiterates the reasons given in his report
for 1873 for disseminating this unjustifiable
gratuty and full: concur in the conclusions
which he has reached.
A further important utility in agricultural
statistics is found in THUR elucidation of the
relation OF the supply OF farm products To the
demand for them in the markets Of the United
States and of the world. 1t i deemed possible
that an agricultural census may be taken each
year year thTonsn the SCENTS Of the statis-
such a course is commended for trial by the
chief of that division. Its scope would lie: l.
the area under each of the more important
crops. The aggregate products of each of
such crops. 1.-The quantity OF wheat and corn
III the hands OF farmers at a date after the
spring sowIBgs and paintings and before the
besinning of harvest: and also the quantity Of
cotton aud tobacco remaining in the hands of
planters, either at the same date or at some
other designated time. The cost OF the work
Is estimated at SJD,0n
Work of Statisticians
Owing to the peculiar quality of the statisti-
clans work. and the natural and acquired lit
secretary OF agriculture expresses the ouinlou
that every person employed in gathering sta
tistics under the chief OF that division should
be admitted to that service only after "a
thorouh exhaustive. and successful examin-
sticl AT the Eanus OF tine nited states civil
s W -, ihis mas ieu MN To call
- ~. sueh sAanhia.'.oh oI canuiates Tor the
p.f!9n oi assis.t'. a'stcihns, ana alsc OF
W. 49,. :, - n ~ "a g tioiio " tit uNisiou.
me WIN uohe ny tne uerarthtEt oil aSrlcul-
ture Is very superhciahy dealt with in this
communication and l commend the work of
.ne sec,e' ity anu the very important interests
WIN Which IL uctis 10 the cafeIul attention OF
tne congress. Inc advantages TO the public
service OF an auherehce To the principles OF
ciNil service reform are constantly more APP
~
IN oi.c,ai me whn honestly desire good govern
,iien, az .he INCREASING appreciation by our
tSoPi. V. tne'e ssuN,'i'ises a vast MAJORITY OF
Sne No.e.s Oh the Eihd are ready TO
i.SiS. .hi' the Time ana attention
VI VI 'ntse tney seiect 10 perform Tor
uisuacteu Dy dohnS out MINOR Offices, and they
are growing TO be unanimous IN regard ne
party organization as something that should
be Used IN establishing party principles instead
vi uictsiiinS the distribution OF public places as
fe"aFus OF par'isah activity.
] am entirely convinced that we ought not 70
be longer without a national board of health or
national health officer charged with no of her
duties than such as pertain to the PROTECTION of
our country from the invasion of pestilence
and disease This would involve the estaLl;sh
ment by such board or ofllcer of uroner onar
antine precautions or the necessary aid and
counsel to local authorities ON the snbip.t
prompt advice and assistance to local hazards of
heath or health officers in the sun
preston of contagious disease and II,
cases where there are no such local HARRIS
officers, the immediate dIrection nv ths
national board, or officers of measures of SIM.
preston cons, ant and authentic informati,n
concerninp the health OF fn,,a;,y,, -; -
ali ,arts nI an. -, 80, - ~ - ...iu