The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-05

turalSchool and Experiment Station at Kings
ton, or by the director Of the experiment sta
tion, stating that In response 10 general pub
lie sentiment to that effect, the state board OF
agriculture would like to make some arrange
ment by which the analysis Of the fertilizers
could be conducted at the experiment station,
as was the case in many other states.
1t was proposed on behalf Of the state board
Of agriculture in view of tire fact that the
station and college received some support
from the state that the station should
MAKE THE ANALYSIS GRATIS.
However, at that time, as is the case now,
fees sufficient TO cover the cost of the fertilizer
inspection were payable by fertilizer manu-
facturers fer the purpose of covering the cost
OF the inspection. Under the then existing
law any balance from fees not required by
tho board OF agriculture In payment for the
work could be used for ths general purposes
Of the board
The board of managers OF the station mt
Kingston refused TO do the work upon that
basis upon tho ground that, asfde from tho
buildings which were I'm part furnished by
tho state and in part by the funds derived
from the Hatch act, the agricultural expert
mont station received no support whatever
from the state, but was entirely maintained
by the funds coming from the general govern
mont. This ground was taken in view of the
fact that the Hatch act specifies very dis
tinctly in the second and third sections for
what
THE FUNDS AVAILABLE
under that act can be used, and il did not
seem justifable TO use the income from the
Hatch act In the execution of a state law, par
ticularly when fees were paid by manufac-
turers for that express purpose Since that
time thore has been ruling by the authori-
ties at Washington fully supporting the po
sition taken by the board OF managers at
Kingston at that time.
subsequently proposition was made TO
the state board of agriculture to do the
work provided remuneration were made for
"the cost of the time OF n competent assist
ant required in aking tho analysis and of
the necessary chemicals" and this propo
sition was accepted and went into force begin
ming with the season Of 1891. Just prior TO
this committee OF the state board Of agri-
culture appointed for the purpose was con-
sidoring certain
CHANGES IN THE FERTILIZER LAW,
and tho director of the station at Kingston,
and later the chemist were called in consul.
tation with that committee. A bill was
finally drawn up, introduced In the senate,
two public hearings werc held, and ID finally
passed the senate and went TO the house. but
owing to the pressure OF other business was
not reported before the session closed.
The experiment station completed tho work
in 1891 according 10 agreement. The bill for
the work was made out and sent 20 the secre-
tary of the state board OF agriculture subse-
quent to January the authorities at Kings
ton learned from the secretary Of the board
that the bill had never been received and that
the funds with which 10 might have been paid
had therefore lapsed TO the state In orter to
secure payment and thereby avoid
VIOLATION OF THE HATCH ACT,
the station was obliged 10 ask tho general as.
sembly, by a resolution 10 that effect. 90 re-
appropriate enough money to pay the bill.
AT the January session OF the general as
sembly in 1892 bill from Senator Church de.
signing 10 turn tho entire fertilizer inspeclio
over TO the agricultural experiment station,
and also a bill emanating from the state
board OF agriculture. providing that the
analysis Of fertilizers should be conducted
under the direction Of the board a. previously,
were both introduced In the senate. Two
public hearings were given before the senate
committee on two consecutive days. at which
large numDer Of farmers from all parts of
the state and Rhode Island fertilizer manu-.
fncturers were present. These parties were
unanimous I'm favor Of having the analysis
made at Kingston and of having the expert
ment station publish and
ISSUE TO THE FARMERS
OF the state bulletins giving the results 81 the
inspection. The experiment station toox no
part in the controversy az the bearings
Finally, in order that The g tire matter
should not pass out Of the hands o, the state
board % agriculture. and 20 pr mote har.
mony, compromise was proposed by an
officer ~ tho experiment siatioL witch was
FIRST submitted 90 Governor Laid. president
81 the board ~ agriculture, and 20 Mr.. Obadiah
Brown. feprcsenting The executive commit.
tee, and olso 10 the senator who intro3ucei
ono of tho measures aud whose bill was sup
ported W 'he f-rmors I'D fcrsiliyar M npssc.