The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-12
PROF. HAYS NAMED TO
HIGH FEDERAL POST
MINNESOTA man
GETS GOOD PLACE
President Appoints Him Assistant
Secretary of Agriculture,
on Merit.
Rv w. w, Jermane.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Professor w.
M. Hays of the Minnesota experiment
tai station has been appointed to the
position Of assistant secretary OF agrl-
culture, the result of practically the
unanimous Endorsement Of all the lead
ing agricultural college and experiment
station workers in the country.
Besides this, Professor Hays has all
along been the personal choice Of Sec
rotary Wilson. Both are Iowa men
and for years they were closely asso-
ciated in that state in agricultural
work. Professor Hays has been serving
the department Of agriculture here in
an advisory capacity for several years,
and from time to time has contributed
gotten out by the department.
While he is an all-around man in his
particular line, his speciality is plant
and animal breeding, to which he has
devoted many years of patient and IN
telligent effort. In plant breeding mat
ters he stands, with two or three men,
at the very head Of that branch Of .ag.,
States. The experiments made at st.
Anthony Park in the line of develop
ing new varieties of wheat especially,
have attracted the attention OF sclen-
tific agriculturists all over the world.
Strengthen Department.
It is believed that this appointment
| will do more to strengthen the depart
ment of agriculture than any appoint
ment made for that department since
| President Mckinley appointed Mr.. Will
| son as secretary, -
The Hays appointment has come
about, not as the result of efforts put
forth by Professor Hays personally, but
rather as the result Of wholesale recon-
mendations volunteered from all parts
of the country, and further by the fact
that the president was Informed that
he was Secretary Wilson g choice.
The appointment is not political in
any sense, but based entirely on merit
Incidentally, it is compliment to Min
nesota and very high Endorsement OF
the scientific work which Professor
+ Hays has been so modestly doing al
the st. Anthony Park station for sew
eral years.
The appointment meets with thu
hearty approval Of the Minnesota dele
cation in congress. It was Congress
this session, laid the case before thu
4 PRESIDENT, with, the strong line of in
1 dorsements from scientific agricultur
I lists all over the country. The presi
! dent was ready to act, for the sui pec
had been discussed with Secretary Will
son.
Will Live in Washington.
The office pays $4,000 per year, an
this appointment means that Professo
Hays will live in Washington. :
Joseph H. Brigham Of Ohio, who he'll
the place Of assistant secretary as
Mckinley appointee, died last summer
A move was made to bring Professo
Hays to McKinley's notice after tn
1900 election, but the president did nc
see how he could afford to neglect to re
appoint Brigham, who, while not a
ideal man for the position. was one, Q
, the presidents old personal and polit
! cal friends.
With M. D. Purdy as assistant alto
ney general of the United States, ais
an appointment on merit, Minnesota
. pretty we'll represented in the pres
:, dent g official family.