Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13


during the twelve years of his contract
as director of the new institution Mr.
Coventry will enjoy altogether eighteen
months leave, and it is stipulated that
any additional furlough must be govern
ed by the ordinary rules-which means
without pay-and he is notified that the
rules which apply to everybody cannot be
further relaxed in his favor.
Connections to Be Severed.
After making this concession to Mr..
Coventry, with a salary of $500 4 month,
the council of the state requires him to
dispose of shares he now owns in the
DalsinEh Sarai plantation; In a corpora
ton for the manufacture and sale of fer
tilizers, and in a third company which
sells agricultural implements and sup
plies 1t is not considered proper or ex-
pedient for a man holding an official po-
sition under the government of India to
be financially interested in any enterprise
that may possibly have relations, remote
or direct, with the department of which
he is member. The rule on this subject
Is very strict, and Mr.. Coventry himself
recognizes it's justice.
The council, on the other hand, realizes
that to compel him to dispose of his in
terests Immediately might be to his dis
advantage, hence they have given him
two years from the date of his appoint
ment to dispose of his stock in all agri-
cultural corporations. In the meantime
he pledges himself to refrain from taking
any active part in the management of
either company or promoting its interests
in any way.
1 do not know that any official of the
government of the United States, the
state of Illinois, or the city of Chicago or
New York was ever subjected to similar
conditions but this plan might possibly be
introduced into our beloved country with
out impairing our standard of political and
official morals.
Other members of the staff are now be-
ing selected. There are to be practical bac
teriologists, horticuturists, botanists, ento-
mologists, chemists, engineers, veterinary
surgeons, teachers of mathematics and
physics. and it is desirable that several of
them shall be natives, although it will be
difficult to secure competent men answer
ing that description. All offices in India,
and in England for that matter, are open
to Hindus as we'll as Englshmen, and it
is the rule in India to make all appoint
ments after competitive examinations but
in this case this must be suspended, be-
cause the government will be compelled to
seek the men in order to secure a compe-
tent staff. 1t is not considered practica BILE
to invite eligibles for the faculty Of an edu-
cational institution to competitive exami-
nations, even If they are willing to submit
to them.
Will Be a Model Institution.
1t is proposed to place the college upon
a higher grade than has ever been reached
by any agricultural school in India, not
only pfGVlQo TeIOTLl Oh the dSTlcul-
tural methods of the country, but also to
serve as a model for and to raise the
standard of the provincial schools, because
at none of them are there arrangements for
q complete or competent agricultural edu-
cation. 1t is proposed to have a course of
five years for the training of teachers for
other institutions and the specialists needed
in the various branches of science connected
with the agricultural department, who are
now imported from Europe. The necessity
for such an education, Lord Curzon says,
is constantly becoming more and more i'm
perative. The higher officials of the gov
ernment he tells me, have long realized
that there should be some institution in
India where they can train the men they
require, If their scheme Of agricultural ref
ormation 1s ever to be placed upon a prac-
teal basis and made an actual success. For
those who wish to qualify for professor
ships or for research work. or for official
positions rtQuiring special scientific attain
ments 1t is believed that five years
course is none too long. But for young
men who desire only to train themselves
for the management of their own estates
or the estates of others a three years
course will be provided, with practical work
upon the farm and in the stable.
This is not the only good thing that Mr..
Phipps did in India during his visit here
last year. but 1 shall have to leave the rest
of the story for another letter.