Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-03-26
POLLARD'S WORDS OF PRAISE
Nebraska Congressman Tells Story Of
Agricultural Department.
EULoGY FOR SECRETARY WILSON
Field One of Largest Government
Has I'm Charge--GOOd Accom-
plished of Importance
to Vast Number.

WASHINGTON, March 24-In a speech
Of more than an hour during the
consideration Of the agricultural appro-
priation bill today, Congressman Pollard
gave a graphic picture of the development
Of the activities of the Department OF
Agriculture. These, he said, have brought
it into intimate touch, not only with agri-
cultural activities in the United States, but
with the corresponding agricultural activi-
ties Of almost every country in the world.
Mr. Pollard paid a high tribute to the
work Of Secretary Wilson, who incidentally
has been a cabinet officer longer than any
other man except two in the history of the
country. When he became secretary
eleven years ago, there were 2,04S employees
in the department; there are nearly five
times that number now; in the first year
of his administration the appropriation
was S2,5OGOO0; the pending bill carries $11,-
100000, in addition to the permanent appro-
priation of $000,O00 for the enforcement
Of the meat inspection act. The depart
ment Is today the model on which half the
agricultural nations Of the world are en-
deavoring to organize corresponding activi-
ties.
Live stock Industry.
Through the Bureau of Animal Industry
the department has established quarantine
boundaries to prevent the spread Of animal
diseases, and to prevent the Importation Of
diseased animals from abroad; it has COM
batted and prevented the spread of Texas
fever; has almost totally eradicated black
leg; 1t has stamped out the foot and mouth
disease in New England and pleuro-pneu-
monia has also been eradicated; scabies in
cattle and sheep, it is promised will be ex-
terminated in two years more; the scien-
lists are sure to triumph over hog cholera
which some years causes a loss to the
American swine raiser of enough to sup
port the entire department three or four
times over.
The department supervises the methods
of marketing live stock and inspection at
the marketing points, and has complete
control of the great scheme of meat in
spection which serves to protect the con-
sumer and the producer and the great
foreign trade.
New varieties OF wheat adapted to va
rious soils and climatic conditions have
been produced. The Durum wheat from
the semi-arid regions of northern Africa
was given to the farmers Of the transmits
souri, plains, and has added to the wheat
area a vast region of semi-arid country,
and an annual production already of as
100000 bushels. Since its introduction in
1901 the value of the Durum wheat produced
has exceeded the total cost of the Depart
ment of Agriculture since its establishment.
Use of Alfalfa.
Alfalfa, which has made millions of acres
of the desert blossom brought first
from Russia, and more recently strain of
more hardy variety adapted to the
plains of the northwest has been brought
from Siberia. and is working wonders
Mr.. Pollard summarized the activities by
which the department has secured the
world for plants adapted to American soils.
has microscopically inspected every section
of this country, seeking soils adapted to all
kinds of strange plants which might add to
agricultural possibilities. He predicted for
the department career of great useful
ness and widened activities in the future
which will bring it still closer to the people
and make it yet more helpful as an agent
| in augmenting the nations wealth
! Further commendation of the work of the
Agricultural department came from Mr.
Smith (Mo), who strongly. advocated the
encouragement OF agricultural education
through experiment stations.
Humphreys Criticises Bill.
Mr. Humphreys (Niiss) criticised the bill
for it's failure to make proper provision for
|
sources he said, from which the national
/ wealth was drawn. Those were the SOIL
! forest and the mines 1t was a shame, he
charged. land a sin against our children 10
hear men in this new world talk of worn
! out soil" The country was burning the
candle at both ends, and he said that con-
gress should legislate to better the condi-
tion of those who dig the nations great
ness from the soil.
plea for homesteads for farmers Of
$40 acres, instead of 16O acres. was made
| by Mr.. French Qda).
The remainder OF the session was devoted
to brief speeches by Messrs Griggs (Ga.),
| who gave notice of an amendment increas-
ing by 100000 the appropriation for the
investigation of soils; by Mr.. Bell (Ga.),
who favored governmental aid to public
roads; by Mr.. Ellerbe Is. c., who also
favored increased appropriations for soil in
| vestigation.
General debate having become exhausted,
the bill was laid aside until tomorrow,
when 1t will be read for amendment, and
| At .fE ha