The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-12-08

This plan would be submitted in the
fiscal estimates for 1916. 1t Is belIeV~
ed that the department can best carry
on it's functions and carry it's informa-
ton to tho people it seeks 10 serve,
probably by having it's work conduct
ed in five or six main groups such aa
research service, regulatory serv-
ice, a state relations service, q rural
organization service, forest service,
a weather service, and others as
special occasion might warrant.
Promotion Based on Efficiency.
A system of efficiency ratings af-
fecting all clerical and subclerical
employees, designed to eliminate all
danger OF favoritism and to provide
for promotion entirely upon merit
has been established.
Increased efficiency and considera~
BILE economy have been gained through
changes in the handling Of fiscal mat~
ters.
1t is recommended that the depart
ment be given authority to increase
the maximum salary Of $4,000 which
now can be paid to scientific investi-
gators. 1t Is pointed out that many of
the leaders in the department could
command salaries in many cases more
than twice what they are receiving.
Changes in Weather Bureau.
Changes in the organization and
work OF the weather bureau have re-
suited in increased efficiency and econ
omies which make possible a. reduc-
tlon of S37,340 in it's funds. Certain
stations and substations will be
eliminated and the work of other sta
tions not well located for climatologi-
cal work will be limited to forecast
ing. crop warnings, flood warnings or
forecasting. Full cooperation with
the photographic office in the navy
department in the publication of ma
rine meteorological charts has been
effected. Invesugational work at
Mount Weather will be discontinued
and steps TO make available for scien-
tific work, in more suitable locations,
the funds thus saved will be taken
The crop and food warning service
designed to enable crop growers or
those along certain waterways to have
notice in time to take protective mea-
sures will be strengthened. The sci
entific work of the bureau will be em-
phasizcd, especially in fields having a
direct bearing on agriculture, COM
merce, navigation, and aviation.
Postoffice to Aid in Crop Census.
Changes have been made in the or
ganiZation and work of the bureau of
statistics to effect economies and in
that the designation of this bureau
be changed to The Bureau of AgricuI-
tural Forecasts, which more accu-
rately describes its functions. Co
operation with the postoffice to test
the practicability Of an annual cen
sus of acreage and stock through the
rural route carriers has been effected.
A committee on cooperation compos-
ed of representatives OF various
branches of the department and OF
other federal departments will, it In
believed, eliminate duplication OF
work and improve statistical results.
Increased accuracy of crop forecasts
will be secured through Improvement
in the field forecast agents, special
crop reporting system and the field
service.
Country to Be Districted.
Certain reorganizations have been
effected in the bureau Of chemistry
looking toward more effective admin
istration of the food and drugs act
and to greater constructive techno-
logical assistance to manufacturers in
avoiding waste, reducing cost of man
ufacture and to help them develop
purer products which will comply
with the law. The country will be di-
vided into several districts each un-
der the direction of a competent of
ficial. All branch laboratories and
food inspectors will be under single
Continued on Page Four. sr