Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-24

wrong. 1t is a dihheult matter to organize
this class OF workers, investigators and ex-
perimentors into an effective machine
Scientists Hard 60 Handle.
For Instance I recall one case that H.
Illustrates this dificulty as II is experienced
In the Agricultural department. There IS a
bureau OF soil study or something OF that
sort. which has done excellent work. The
secretary discovered a man over in Mary
land who had accomplished some excellent
results In the direction Of soil inquiry and
naturally wanted that man. After some
enort he Induced the Marylander to join
the department. but it was only on cond-
ton that he should be the head of a bureau.
So the bureau OF agricultural Soils I think
II is called was established for his accom-
mediation. The idea OF having two such
bureaus is. OF course, arrant nonsense But
1t was necessary in order to satisfy the
man whose services promised much real
good"
This is said to be typical OF conditions
at present existing in the department and
u Is cited TO show that the organization is
unquestionably loose and unbusinesslike
But Secretary Wilson is hardly responsible
Tor the existence OF these unhappy condi-
lions. In the larger sense It may be that
the secretary is charged with the duty OF
making his department business one. but
congress is primarily responsible for much
that is Objectionable regarding the depart
mental bureaus i'm submitting to being bam-
poozeled into creating bureaus and divi-
sions with increased salaries and not dis
continuing those already created having
charge of virtually the same subjects.
secretary Wilson may get out of the cabi-
net in the fall or early spring, but he will
go on his own motion and not at any sug-
gestion from those near the presidential
conscience. President Roosevelt genuinely
hkes Secretary Wilson and looks upon him
In many particulars as the very ablest
secretary Of agriculture we have had since
the department was created. Then, again.
senator Dolliver. who. like Secretary Will
son. is an Iowan and thoroughly loyal
friend Of the head Of the Agricultural de-
partment is slated for the head OF the
senate committee on agriculture and this |
fact Is being noted lately as one OF the |
reasons for confidence that the secretary
VIII not relinqush his job unless he is
peremptorily ordered to do so by President |
Roosevelt.
Row over Printing.
The inquiry now being conducted as TO the |
cost Of printing in the government print |
Ing office has developed into as pretty {. |
quarrel as you ever saw between the Mer- !
senthaler and the Lanston typesetting ma
chlne companies. And as the inquiry pro- |
oeeds IT is involving a number of men who |
up 10 this time have been above suspic- |
lon.' The name of Public Printer Palmer
has become involved and the rumor is gen
eral that just as soon as the special com |
mission, of which Assistant Secretary Keen
OF the treasury is chairman, makes its re-
port that new public printer will he
named. Jacob Sleicher of Harper's Weekly.
oscar J. Ricketts,, foreman Of the govern
ment printing office, and John S. Ieech.
public printer for the Philippines are
among those whose names are most talked
OF as a successor to Mr.. Palmer
II Is expected that the Keep commission
Will not content itself with making an ex-
animation into the cost of printing, but will
also delve deep into the cost of material
and the selection of certain machinery.
presses and electrical apparatus of certain
makes at higher figures than quoted by
firms whose products are looked upon as
equally good"
A quiet tip comes that just as soon as
the commission finishes it's work connected
with the government printing office It will
turn its attention to the bureau of printing
and engraving and then the Smithsonian In
stitution The commission is conducting its
inquiry secretly and 1t is thought It has
enough work mapped out for 1t that cannot
possibly be completed before the meeting
of the Fifty-ninth congress. Altogether,
graft" is uppermost seemingly in all the
departments and only resolute commoner
like Theodore Roosevelt will be able to
thI ottle the hideous shape