The evening times., 1896-02-27

The chief objection so far urged to
Secretary Motions bill for director of
scientific divisions in the Agricultural De-
partment is that OF increased expense, and
the Secretary answers tnat In an interview
with Times reporter this morning. He
said:
The saving OF duplication of work would
pay the salary several times over every
| year.
For example, as the work is now done,
| there are here five large chemical labo-
ratories conducted by the government
Much Of the work in one is duplicated in
another, and sometimes, doubtless, in all
OF them, men are doing the same thing at
the same time, where the result obtained
in one would suffice amply for all.
Another Illustration of what l mean is
found in the determination of the volume
Of water in rivers. This is done by the
coast and geode,ic survey. by the geo.
| logical survey, by the river and barbor
| commission for certain rivers, by the
irrigation commission for some, and for
| ali again by the we.fther bureau.
PROF. BREWERS REFUSAL.
The creation Of n director OF scientific
divisions was first suggested by President
Harrison, and he offered the position to
Prof. Brewer. This gentleman came here
and looked over the field. He saw that
many of the scientific places were not
under civil service rules and said promptly
1t would not be worth while to establish
permanent dictatorship, such as pro-
posed, with constantly shifting scientific
corps 4 body OF men at the mercy of po-
litical fortune.
"But that condition has been changed.
In 1894 secured the adoption of measures
which pat every place in this department
down as far as the scrub women under
civil service regulations. The secretary,
OF course, assistant secretary, chief clerk,
and chief of the Weather Bureau are also
excepted. But all the others have that
guarantee of permanency.
Il don't carry my politics into chem
istry and reject a good man because he
is of ofanotherpauy Itwould be like sending
for Quack doctor because OF his politics,
instead OF getting reputable physician
because he could cure your aIment.
Accordingly, this objection OF Prof.
Brewers being removed, we can renew
President Harrison's suggestion with
increased vigor.''
Vho' VI 'cS susESttlch tudt INV PuA-
pose is TO make a permanent place for DR..
Dabney, at present assistant secretary,
with your"
ABOUT DIR. DABNEY.
''Dr Dabncy is here at a sacrifice OF $500
q year and house rent. He was president
OF the University of Tennessee, at $4,000
a year, with house and handsome grounds
thrown in. He did not apply for the place
and nobody sought it for him. ! appointed
him because recognized bis ability, and
my own lack OF scientific attainments re-
Quircd in many branches OF this work.
1 had great difficulty in Iersuading him to
come. Even now, he is only absent fromtb
university On leave and will return there.
when the suggestion was made l at
once stated these facts and said 1 did
not care to have the position filled until
after March 4, 1897, when both DR..
Dabney and l would he gone. no matter
what party came into power.
"A reason for the establishment of the
position no; given sufficient prominence,
perhaps. Is The need of a third man to
assume the duties of secretary at times.
For instance. last summer DR.. Dabney, |
by direction of the President. was away at |
the Atlanta exposition, in charge of the |
governments scient ific display. As q |
consequence, was held here at my desk |
being absent only two weeks |
during the whole summer. The director |
OF scientific divisions could assume the |
duties of the place in such a case of need. |
"In answer TO the objection ON the score
Of economy, think this department has |
good record. Let them look at the million |
and half saved and in the Treasury. 1t |
can talk better than ].
FINALLY, here are some letters that show
what scientific men throughout the con-
try think OF the proposed dictatorship"
The Secretary exhibited communications
from many distinguished scientists and
high officials. indorsing the plan and
active and constant corporation
IN the effort to secure legislation.