The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-16
LIMITS POWERS
OF COMMISSIONER
State Board OF Agriculture
Makes Change in Policy OF
Department.
SOME FRICTION REPORTED

Il sweeping changes were mace III llle
policies of the Department of Agri-
culture by the State Board at its
meeting at the Jamestown Exposition
last week and the upshot OF II az Is
that the powers Of Commissioner Geo
w. Koiner have been limited, and Mr.
L. B. Chesterman, Jr, formerly clerk
Of the commissioner, has been mace
secretary and treasurer of the board.
AS such Mr.. Chesterman will handle
the funds of the department. Will act
INDEPENDENTLY of the commissioners, and
will take orders only from the board.
The "shaking-up" leaves Mr.. koiner
without a clerk. and makes Mr..
Chesterman the press agent OF the
board. no other person being allowed
to give out any of the proceedings OF
that body for publication. The secre-
tary-treasurer has, UP to this time.
occupied offices on the same floor
With the commissioner, but he will
take quarters at once in the basement
Of the Capitol.
The action Of the board did not cause
great deal of surprise among those
AT the Capitol for it has been known
for some time that all was not har-s
monious between Mr.. Koiner and MI.
| Chesterman.
Breach Widcncd.
The breach is said to have widened
| during the absence OF Commissioner
| Koiner who only recently returned
| from abroad. When the commissioner
| wont to Europe he left Mr.. Chester
| ,,.n IN charge. and 1t is said that
the latter's management Of affairs did
/ not altogether please the commis-
s,oner. Indeed it is pretty genera.ly
II understood around the Capitol thal ne
II was preparing to remove MI. Chesler-
j nan. and to name some other person
II as his clerk .ha
II matter for publication when seen IN
II his office yesterday. He declared Una !.
Il the board had decided that he shouiu
II not give out matters relatlns 70 -, !.
II action. and he proposed TO ooserSe - -
II strictly.
Il Mr.. Chesterman was In his. oflce at
Il +bs other side Of the building during
i the morning preparing to have ms
II furniture and effects moved down
II stairs. Es
II Chcstermnn Talks.
II when asked for statement as to
II the action of the board, Mr. Chester
III man said: -, r.,
III "Durins Mr. Koiners absence IN Eu-
III rope was In charge Oh Inc oi'io .
III and I conducted it in accordance WIZ
IN the direction of the State Board OF
III Agriculture and immigration, which
HI has the control and management OF
Ill the department.. The prosecution o.
III some of the work was not along me;
II which met with Mr.. Koiner's approval
III and / was made aware OF this, bu
HI continued the work Notwithstanding
III this information. Mr.. I<oiner, as un
III derstood 1T, upon returning to Rich
Ill mond few days before the boart
Ill meeting, made the statement that n
Ill would remove me from the office which
HI I held The board, at its meeting las
HI week. adopted new plan of organi
HI cation. under which they elected m
Il secretary and treasurer of that body
III and under it's sole direction.
HI The Real Fight.
II The board reelected Mr.. c. w Heat
HI Ter, Of Frederick. as chairman, an
II transacted some other business, blu
Ill adoption of the report OF the EXecu
Ill tive Committee, recommending tn
Ill changes set out above. The repol
Ill finally got through by a narrow ma
Ill jority after there had been some shar
Ill cross firing between members.
Ill Mr.. Chestcrman had been absent fro,
HI the department since the day NJ
Ill I%oiner returned from Europe. II
III had not seen the commissioner sine
the latter's departure for Europe unit
III. board met Friday. He left a not
ire for Mr.. Koiner, stating that he W.
nd going on his vacation, and 1t Is sal
nd that he made no report to his superic
OIL officer as to the conduct of the d.
on; partnent during the latter's absence.
o. Mr.. koiner is elected by the pc,
1c- pie. and therefore does not derive h
las powers from the board. He Will {
hn on with his work, and will contin,
vn, his efforts in behalf of the agricultur
Mr.. interests OF the State He has dol
w. much to build up the interests of II
AZ farmers by securing reforms throul
the Legislature. and by instructor
them through institutes held all ov
the State
Mr.. koiner has contributed much t
ward the encouragement CT imn1igr
ton to this State from European cou
tries. and returned only a few weel
M since from an extended trip r. Noa
~ 1T is not believed that the CHI "
| Will cause any clash In the departing
which Will injure its usefulness to I
public,
asst ! + -