The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-08-11
MONEY SPENT IN Jumps
Alleged Extravaganza in the Agricnl-
turaI Department.
SEC. WILSON HAS LARGE POWERS.
ros Much Of the Appropriations for the Agri'
cultural Department There Is No Return
Except In the Shape Of Scientific Data
Scientists Say Their Discoveries Are Cheap
q Any Price.

Washington, D. c. (Special).-As
result of recent disclosures concerning
affairs in the Department of Agricult-
ure, Congress will consider at its next
session the wisdom of continuing to
make lump-sum appropriations tor the
various bureaus of that department.
The existence of this system is one
of the explanations of the alleged ex-
travagance of the present administra-
ton Of the Secretary of Agriculture
Since 1909 Congress has appropriated,
under 28 separate headings, the total
sum of $23,oo8,35o. Except to keep
within the general character of the broad
headings under which these appropria-
tions were made, Mr.. Wilson has had
practically unlimited discretion as TO
their expenditure.
In the annual appropriation bills, at
least for the last FIVE years, there has
been made for each bureau, division or
Office special provision for salaries.
All officers, clerks and employees are
enumerated and their respective salaries
stipulated. In addition to this, there is
made an appropriation OF lump sum
for general expenses.
The appropriation bills simply emu
merate large number of things which
may be done by expenditure of this ap-
preparation. For instance, under the
head of general expenses OF the Bu-
reau of Forestry $254,ooo is appropriated
ito enable the Secretary of Agriculture
to experiment and to make and con-
tinue Investigations, and to report on
forestry, forest reserves, forest fires and
numbering, to seek through investiga-
tions and the planting of native and for
eign species suitable trees for treeless
regions" etc. But just how much or
how little he shall expend for each pur-
pose is not stipulated So it is IN the
Bureau of Plant Industry.
For vegetable, pathological and ply
Biological Investigations $4,000 IS ap-
propriated this year. A score of things
which this may be used for are named,
but there is no specification as to the
amount which will be spent for each.
When money is appropriated for the
army or navy it is very carefully item
lied. If the Naval Appropriation bill
contemplates the erection of certain
buildings at various navy yards each
building and the maximum cost is stip-
ulated. But in the Department of Agri-
culture it is different.
When the Weather Bureau, in 1903,
desired to erect a new observatory the
appropriation bill simply stated that
$4,000 was to be made available for the
purchase of site and erection of the
building. For 1904 the Weather Bureau
asked for another appropriation of $780,
600 for the construction of five build
ings, locations not indicated Five more
buildings were authorized in each of
the appropriation accounts for 1905 and
1895;
The iump-sum appropriations made
for the various bureaus of the Departs
ment of Agriculture include the employ
ment Of assistance. Tnl.ere are few re-
strictiohs as 10 such employment. I'm
der the lump-sum system if the Chief OF
a scientific bureau has particular hob
by he can ride that hobby at the ex-
pense of other things which ought to
be done through expenditure OF lump
sum appropriation.
For much of the appropriations for the
Department of Agriculture there is no
return except in the shape of scientific
data, and there is no way OF determin-
ing whether the appropriation is eco
nomically expended. The scientists say
that their discoveries are cheap at any
price,