The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-30
lions of that law are reported to the
commissions and the lntter's Instiuc-

tions of that law are reported to the
commissioner, and the lntters lnstiuc-
tions as to same.
1t has been stated that the new plan
abolishes the Office of food Inspector.
1t does not do this but carries out the
recommendations of the CHIEF of the
laboratory. that a chemist is better
adapted to this work than any one
else, and could. besides. he used in
analytical work at such times as his
services We're not required on the road.
The office OF pure-food inspector was
not abolished: the duties have only
been transferred to anoiller man, who
is a chemist, and therefore can also
assist in laboratory work.
The board has also, in this plan. en-
deavored to secure accurate reports as
to the immigration work of the depart
ment and has already Ild that 1t was
wise in this.
Went Beyond His Rights.
1t was found that the commissioner
had even gone beyond his rights in
the purchase of books and subscription
to magazines. and his powers in this
direction wsDe limited to tho extent
that such purchases and subscriptions
shall be approved by the board.
Much has been made of the fact that
the board saw TIT to regulate what
should be published in regard to Its
meetings by delegating to one of Its
own officers the power to give to the
newspapers such matters as were TO
be printed In the public press Surely
the board was strictly within It's rights
in doing this, and only followed a
custom which is almost an inVarlanle
rule In other bodies.
The board has in no way restricted
the commissioner in what ts may
publish In regard to his own work.
as the columns Of the Richmond pa
pers, since this action of that body.
will amply testify. 1T has always
been the intention of the law that the
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute, at
Blacksburg, and the department should
be in harmony one with the other, to
promote the agricultural interests of
| the State. This object has been de-
| feated since Mr.. Koiner's occupancy
Of the office of commissioner. for no
other reason than that he did not wish
to divide with this institution any
of the credit for the work. This Spirit
on the part of the commissioner tend
ed to lessen the good that might have
been done had he not manifested TINS
disposition towards an institution with
which he should have been In har-
mony A provision in the Constitution
recognized this state of affairs ana
sought to overcome 1t, and 1t has only
been by persistent effort on the part
of the board that this. to some extent
| has been done.
Found 1t Nee 'sary.
! AS the question will naturally arise
as to the immediate cause of the Tor
mulating Of the plan of reorganization,
| we will state that reports had reacn-
! ed the cars of many members of the
board In regard to the manner IN Whlcn
the commissioner was conducting his
| office. In every part Of the State some
phase OF this matter was being dis
cussed, and 1t has been Z; subject Of
( comment that the board took no &C
ton to remedy the evil. This summer.
while the president of the board was
in Richmond. he made it his business
to inquire plainly into this matter,
and thought it wise to call meeting
] of the executive committee to FUR
i Their investigate affairs. The result
of this was the plan Of >>organiza-
Il ton. 1t had been intended not TO
\ make any exposure of the conditions
! as existing in the commissioners ONCE,
i but to simply adopt new working
4 plan that would tend to correct them.
The attitude with which the commits
i sioner received this plan, however, has
4 llaced the board in position When
i it is compelled to mako these eN-
4 posures. Mr.. Kolner posing as a mar
Il tyr, While the BOARD was EeCelVliS a
aIlarger share OF unjust criticism than 1T
could stand.
The committee does not think 1t nee
essary to go into further details or
i Explanations of the reasons for the
4 adoption of the plan which has caused
4 such criticism The board has done
what it deemed best for the interests
of the State, and what appeared to be
it's duty under the law. which en-
powers it to manage and control the
! department of Agriculture and lmmi-
grafton, and to prescribe the duties
: and powers OF the commissioner.
:, G. w. HEATER,
Chairman.
j. II. G. BEVERLEY,
w. II. EGGBORN,
Executive Committee.
What Koiner Says.
4 Mr.. Koiner gave out the following
signed statement last night:
AS to tho need Of reorganization OF
the work Of the department will only
Inuote the words Of prominent mem
, Der of the board when this plan was
under considerations Hon, il w.
Churchman stated that "the name plan
/, or organizatio was a misnomer; that
!, Iit should he called an effort to hu-