The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-12-12


lure TO Investigate AMI report upon the nu.
tritive value OF the various articles and COM
modities used for human food. with special
suggestion OF full, wholesome and eiible
rations less wasteful aud more economical
than those In common usa."
Under this appropriation the department
has prepared and nov has nearly ready for
distribution an elementary discussion OF the
nutrltive value and pecuniary economy OF
food. When we consider that fully one
hall OF all the money earned by the wage-
earners OF the civilized world Is expended by
them for food. the importnncs ard utility
OF such an investigation Is apparent.
The department expended in the fiscal
year 1892, s2.35i, ,sO9. Sc I; and out Of that sum
the total amount expended In scientific re-
search was 45.6 per cent. But in the year
ending June 80, 1894. out OF n total expendi-
ture OF 81, ,94S, ,9Ss. 3S, the department ap-
piled 51.S per cent. OF that sum to scientific
work and investigation. 1t Is. therefore,
very plainly observable that the economies
which have been practioad in the admins
tration OF the department have not been at
the expense OF scientific research.
The recommendation contained In the re-
port OF the Secretary for 1893. that the
vicious system OF free distribution OF its de-
partment documents be abandoned Is again
urged. These publications may we'll be fur
nished without cost to public libraries, eiu-
cational institutions and the officers and H.
DrHrieS OF otates anu OF tnb Fe1eral Govern
ment. But from all individuals applying
for them price covering the cost OF the
document asked for should be required.
Thus the publications and doc
uments would be secured by tnoss
who really desire them for proper purposes.
Half n million OF copies ofthe report OF the
Secretary OF Agriculture are printed for dis
trtbution at an annual cost OF about $780,
900. Largs numbers OF them are cum
berlng store rooms at the Capitol and the
shelves Of secondhand book stores through
out the country. All this labor and waste
might be avoided II the recommendations OF
the Secretary were adopted.
The 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
relterates the reasons given In his report for
1898 for disseminating this unjusti1able gra-
tuity, and fully concur In the conclusions
which he has reached.
A further important utility In agricultural
statistics Is found In their calculation OF tho
relation OF tine supply OF farm products to
the demand for them In the markets Of the
United States and OF the world.
II is deemed possible that an agricultural
census may be taken each year through the
agents OF the statistical division OF the de-
partment. Such n course Is commended for
trial by the chief OF that division. Its scope
would be;
~ The area under each OF the more i'm
portant crops.
(2) The aggregate products Of each OF
such crops.
(3) The quantity OF wheat and corn In the
hands OF farmers at date alter the spring
sowings and paintings and before the gin
ming OF harvest and also the quantity OF
cotton and tobacco remaining In the hands
OF planters, either at the same date or mt
some other designated time.
at rft thn uArlrf Ia tirna ed IaN
900.
Owing to the peculiar quality OF the statis-
tician's work and the natural and acquired
illness necessary to its successful prosecu.
tlon, the Secretary OF Agriculture expresses
the opinion that every person employed In
gathering statistics under tho chief OF that
division should be admitted TO that service
only after a thorough, exhaustive and sue
cessful examination at the hands OF the
United Sta rs Civil Service Commission.
This has lei him to call for such examina
tion OF candidates for the position OF assist
ant statisticians and also of candidates for
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. AMI
nothing Is 80 encouraging to those in off,
clal life who honestly desire good govern
people OF these advantages. A vast ma ajorl-
ty OF the voters OF the land are ready
to insist that the time and attention OF those
they select to perform for them important
public duties. should not be distracted by
doing out minor offices. and they are grow
ing TO be unanimous In regarding party or
ganizition as something that should be
used In establishing party principles instead
OF debating the distribution OF public places
as rewards OF partisan activity.
Numerous additional offices AMI places
have lately been brought within Civil Services
rules and regulations. and some others will
probably soon be included.
The report OF the Commissioners will he
submitted to the Congress, and i invite
careful attention to the recommendations il
contains.
NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
am entirely convinced that we ought not
TO he longer wlthOut National Board o.
Health, or National Health Officer, charged
with no other duties than such as pertain
to the protection OF our country from the In,
vasion OF pestience and disease. This woulc
involve the establishment, by such board OF
officer, OF proper quarantine precautions. OF
the necessary aid and counsel to local au.
thorities on the subject, prompt advice and
assistance to local boards OF health
or health officers in the suppression Of
contagious disease, and in cnsns
where there are no such local boards or Off.
GERS, the immediate direction by the Ma
tional Board or officer OF measures OF sup
preston, constant and authentic informa-
tion concerning the health OF foreign coun-
tries AMI all parts OF our own country as
related TO contagious Diseases, and consld-
Grafton OF regulations TO be enforced in for
eign ports TO prevent the introduction OF
contagion iHto our cities, and the measures
which should be adopted to secure their en-
forcement.
There seems to be at this time decided
inclination TO discuss measures of protection
against contagious disease In international
conference, with view OF adopting means
of mutual assistance. The creation of such
National health establishment would
greatly aid our standing in such conferences
and improve our opportunities to avail our
selves of their benefits.
| earnestly recon mend the Inauguration
OF "a National Board OF Health, or similar
National alinstrunentaity. believing the sans
to be a needed precaution against conra-
gious disease and In the interest OF the safety
and health OF our people.
RAILROADS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.
BY virtue of u statue of the United States,
passed in 1888, appointed in July last Hon.
John ID. Kernan. OF the State OF New York,