Evening star., 1899-03-14


pertinent stations of the Agricultural De-
partment was questioned today by a Star
reporter regarding the protest which, it
vas stated in The Star yesterday, the heads
OF the scientific bureaus of the department
intended to make to the Secretary against
alleged encroachments by his office upon
the functions of their bureaus. Dr. True
said:
Development of the Bureau.
THE questions involved in the contro-
versy over the work of the office of ex-
pertinent stations, as stated in last even
ings Star. relate to the general policy re
garding the organization of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. The department has
grown a great deal in recent years, and
the simple organization which it had at the
beginning does not now meet its require
ments.
Since the Office of experiment stations
was established, about ten years ago, its
functions have been enlarged under differ
ent administrations from time to time. In
general 1t represents the Secretary of Agri-
culture in his relations with the agricui-
tural colleges and experiment stations
throughout the country. 1t is held re-
sponsibie for determining whether the ex-
penditures Of the experiment stations are
in accordance with the act of Congress
under which they We're established.
As the department has undertaken in
vesti9ations in cooperation with the ex-
pertinent stations it has been found de-
sirable in a few cases to give the general
charge of such operations to the director of
the office of experiment stations. The work
is organized by employing experts to take
immediate charge of the Investigations and
under their supervision arrangements are
made with the officers of the agricultural
colleges and experiment stations. In this
way, for example. Prof. w. o. Atwater has
supervised Investigations the nutrition
of
IAN Of this iS IN 1tSi6 of
Washington In the same way investiga-
tions have been begun in Alaska, out of
which it is expected will grow one or more
experiment stations, such as are organized
in the other states and territories. Lately
| the friends of irrigation in the great west
have secured an appropriation for special
inyeStlgat tionS in that line by this depart
ment, and, that work was to be done
| largely in cooperation with the experiment
| stations, its general direction has been
| given to the director of the office of expert
ment stations; an office has already heen
opened at Cheyenne, Wyo,, and an arrange
! ment has been made by which Prof Elwood
Mead, state engineer of Wyoming, one of
| the most eminent men in this country in
| irrigation work, will be the expert in
| charge.
| act just passed by Congress- besides re-
| sponsibility for the expenditure of $4,000
per annum for the experiment stations in
the states and territories, the office of ex-
pertinent stations will have immediate df-
| rection of other funds, as follows: For the
| maintenance of the office, S33, 600: for ex-
| periments in Alaska. 81, 900; for irrigation
| Investigations, $35. 900, and for nutrition in
| vestigations, $4,000.
| Division of the Work.
| While the work of the agricultural COL
leges and experiment stations and of the
| office in the department which represents
| their interests has greatly increased in re-
| cent years. those branches of the depart
| ment which deal with various scientific in
| vestigations relating to agriculture and
which, taken together, constitute great
| experiment station, have also grown as re-
CARDS the variety and Importance of their
work
| The number of divisions has increased so
that It Is no longer easy to draw sharp
| ilEes OF distinction between their work, and
| the practice had grown up of assigning spe-
| cial lines OF investigation TO particular di-
visions without special reference to the
| names by which they are designated. Thus
| the division of chemistry fas conducted ex-
| periments with fertilizers and with sugar
| beets which have involved much besides
| che mical work. The division of soils has
| on hand at present a comprehensive inves-
| igatiOn on tobacco, and the division of
! botany is pr pairing publications relating
| to the culture of different crops. This
! work is, of course, assigned to the different
| divisions by the Secretary of Agriculture,
| and the chiefs are responsible to him.
| The present Secretary has pursued a lib
| eral policy, and under his administration
| the work of all branches of the department
| has been increased and developed. OF
| course. the present organization of the
/ Department of Agriculture is not an ideal
| one and doubtless might be improved in
| many particulars. Discussions regarding
| changes in its organization have always
| gone on within the department and no on,
l am sure, can object to the proper presen-
| tation of plans for reorganization of the
| department to the Secretary, on whose
| shoulders rests the burden of SO admin
| istering the department that it shall be
| of the geratest benefit to the agriculture
| of the country
| The Secretary's Position.
| Secretary Wilson stated today that he
| would take no steps in the matter until it
| comes officially before him. He said that
| the major part of DR.. Trues work consists
| in editing the reports of experiment sta
| tions. He said he regards DIR. True as a
| brilliant man, and highly regards his ca
pacity as an executive officer.