Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-20

extension to meet the needs of the depart
ment for many years to come. The depart
ment authorities believe that they have.
through their architects secured not only
one of the most beautiful structures In
Wa shington. but one that will in every way
meet the needs and requirements of the
varied work of the department"
Growth of the Force.
The great growth of the force of work.
ers of the United States Department OF
Agriculture is shown in a report made by
Mr. J. B. Bennett. appointment clerk of
that department. One item alone given by
Mr.. Bennett today shows that since Secre-
tary of Agriculture Wilson was appointed
to that position in March, 1897, to March g.
than doubled. The figures givoa are: July
l. 1897. total employees. 2444: March g.
1903. total employees. 5,134. Increase in
eight years, $3.50.
One of the recent increases of the De-
partment of Agriculture force went into eff
feet February l. 1905 when 800 employees of
the forest reserves division of the Depart
ment of the Interior were transferred to
Secretary Wilson's department where they
were assigned to the what Is now known as
the bureau of forestry. but what will be-
come on July 1 next the Forest service of
the Department of Agriculture
Another change to be made July 1 next
will be the placing in classified positions of
about 200 laborers now without statutory
salaries. in this department. This will be
done by act or Congress and by order of
President Roosevelt.
Mr. Bennett in his report states that on
September 80. 1861 the agricultural division
of the Department of the Interior, being
the immediate predecessor Of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. consisted of nine per-
sons; the increase, therefore, in the working
force from that date to the pr seEt month
has been 5.125 persons.
On September 80, 1863 there were % en-
q a aSQ
til July 1, 1883, when the force had reached
90 persons. The next decided increase was
on July 1, 1891, when the former weather
service was transferred from the War De-
partment. where it had been a military
branch, to the Department of Agriculture,
becoming the weather Bureau" This re-
suited In swelling the total force to 1577
persons.
From July 1. 1898. when the force con-
sisted of 1870 employees, the increase was
as follows: 1895, July 1, 2O43: 1897. July /,
2,444; 1s99 July 1. 1865; 1900. November
16. 3,12S 1901. July 1, $685. 1902, July 1,
), 1S9; 1903, July 1. 4,200; 1904, July 1. 4.JO4.
Mr.. J. b. Bennett. the appointment clerk,
also stated that the continued extension
and development of the Department of Ag
riculture in all its various fields of effort
calling forth educated and trained special
lists in a great variety of scientific lines,
and the consequent increase in trained and
well-quaitied assistants of business capac-
ity for clerical help. as well as various
kinds of skilled workmen, with their nee
esSary helpers, suggest the prOpriety or
showing the composition OF the force or
the department at this time in the various
offices, bureaus and divisions. The force
numbers altogether 5,134 on the pay rolls
of the department, exclusive of force of
subsidiary assistants correspondents. &c.
229. ISL, serving voluntarily; also
the record affords a fair indication of the
variety and scope of work and of the
growth of the department.