The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-11-05
FOR THE PROTECTION
OF COTTON
Scheme to Work Endless
Chain System Of Con-
tracts

Warrington D. e, NOV. V
In order to carry out the plans Of ex-
perts Ia the department OF agriculture
for the cytermination Of the cotton
boil weevil the controller OF the treas
ury has been appealed to for an Inter-
probation for this purpose. The appi-
cati for the de-ision together with
the document shows the plans pro-
1osed The former reads:
Elm the act Of March 2. 1901 making
appropriations for the department or
agriculture for the fiscal year ended
June 90. 1901. under the title Entomo-
logical Investigations. the sum of $500
is set apart for an investigation of the
ravages of the cotton-boil weevil. with
view OF ascertaining the best method
OF determination.
"The entomologist of this depart
ment advises me that in carrying into
effect this provision Of the law. he
deems it necessary TO conduct. during
the next season q somewhat extensive
experiment by means OF culture meth
DDS against the Mexican weevil in Tex.
as. In making the proposed expert
fent he wished to have control Of
large cotton plantation. say about 900
acres. II the Department should at
tempt 10 conduct so extensive an ex-
pertinent on its own account. paying
rent for the necessary land and hiring
o large force of laDorers to work the
crop. the operation would certainly be
altogether too costly 10 be undertaken
with the available appropriation. This
method must, therefore, be promptly
abandoned
The only alternative which he sug-
gcsts is. In substance, as follows:
"He proposes that the department
enter into a contract. or agreement
with some responsible planter interest
cd in the protection OF cotton from the
ravages Of the weeyil 70 bind himself
20 prepare the land TO plant II IN cot
ton. to cultivate the growing crop and
TO harvest and market the product
thereof strictly in accordance with the
directions to be given him by the ento-
mologist The planter would be re-
quired TO bear an expenses and would
be allowed to retain for his own use
and benefit the entire product OF the
experiment If the yield of cotton.
when properly prepared for market
shall equal. or exceed a.fair normal crop
from his land Go be determined before
hand by mutual agreement SAY three
fourths Of a bale 60 the acre-the de-
partment would be released from al
obligation In the premises. II. how
ever. the yield should be less than nor
NAL, tten the department must pay to
the planter, from the appropriation re-
ferred to, the difference between the
value OF normal crop and Of the ac-
tual yield.
Before taking any steps toward con-
summating a deal on the lines suggest
ed by the entomologist / desire your
advice as TO the legality Of the same"
The controller says:
I'm order To carry out the object OF I
the appropriation you are authorized 4
TO incur any reasonable and necessary
expense within the limit of the appro-
priation and not otherwise forbidden
by law. Section S64S OF the Revised
Statutes provides that in all eases OF
contracts for the performance OF ser.
vice or the delivery OF articles of any
description. for the use of the United
states payment shall not exceed the
value Of the services rendered on the
articles delivered previous to such pay-
ment. The plan you suggest involves
the performance Of service by the con-
tractor, |. e., the cultivation. harvesting
and marketing of his cotton strictly In
accordance with the directions OF the
Department of Agriculture and this
service, or rather the practical knowl-
edge gained by the department repre-
sents the consideration given by the
contractor. His consideration In the
matter Is the guarantee Of tho depart
ment against loss should the yield be
less than normal II you do not deem
such guarantee In excess OF the value
of the service rendered. Section 364S
would not appear to forbid the con-
tract
In making the contract which you
suggest one point. however. must be
strictly guarded. Section 9G79 OF the
Revised Statutes forbids the Involving
Of the government in any contract for
the payment OF money in excess Of the
appropriation, and hence no guarantee
against loss which would bind the gov
ernment TO pay any sum in excess OF
the appropriation, after doducting an
other expenses properly payable there
from, could Doe lawfully made
If you shall deem that the object .
of the appropriation can be carried out .
by the plan YOU suggest and win make .
"a contract which WIN guard the United (
states against any claim In excess of .
the available appropriation, 7 know of
no legal objection to the use of the app /
preparation I'm the manner you suggest