The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-05-12

STATEMENTS ISSUED BY COM
MISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
ANSWERS NUMBER OF PRINT
ED ALLEGATIONS SAID TO
EMANATE FROM STATE CHEM
IsT.

Tallahassee, May 11.-Recently arti-
| c1es inspired by r. e. Rose, state
chemist, have appeared in numerous
| papers of the state in which is con-
tanned a so-called Summary of what
he denon1inates az a Substitute for
senate bill No. 49,"
The commissioner Of Agriculture
dislikes very much to discuss such
matters In the public press, and but
for the false statements made as well
as the false position in which he se.4lSs
to place the commissioner Of agrtcuI-
ture, no notice would be taken of the
articles referred to.
AS to the correct position occupied
by the State chemist, section 1851 of
the general statutes provides in part:
! THE governor shall appoint a state
chemist, who shall hold his office fo=
the term of four years, and until his
successor is appointed and qualified; he
shall be an expert chemist, and have
his office in the capitol of the state of
Florida, and his duties shall be such
as hereinafter provided"
Section 1862 of the general statutes
says, The state chemist and the as
sistant state chemist shall be inspec-
tors of fertilizers: they shall be I'M
der the general direction and super
culture" Section 1, Of chapter 5452,
appendix of the general statutes also
says, THE state chemist and HIS as
sistants shall be inspector Of CONNER
cial feed stuffs: they shall be under the
general direction and supervision of
the commissioner Of agriculture"
Therefore, the change and difference
as between house bill 15s (Rose's bind
and the senate committee bill, Is In
accordance with existing law, not in
opposition to IT; 1T places the chem
ical division in its legal position
under the department of agriculture.
not above It. The commissioner of
agriculture has no bill and never had
If the law of 1911 was destructive
and oppressive in its operation, 1t was
due to the state chemists precipitate
actten In having the bill introduced
without the knowledge or consent Of
the then commissioner, B. e. McLin;
and but for whose determined stand
against its rigid enforcement, would
have produced stagnation and ruin OF
the business of all classes OF dealers
and merchants.
I, as succeeding commissioner, had
to assume the same position at later
period. Therefore, the several extern
sions granted the several classes OF
dealers and merchants WIS necessary
tod prevent loss to all of them. Mr..
Rose, only yielded to these rulings be-
cause he had to.
Thus the wisdom Of the policy of
Mr.. McLin, and as later carried out
by myself was indicated, the state
was gradually, without loss to the
dealers of all classes, cleared of i'm |
pure and unwholesome goods; and this |
was done by the department Of agri- |
culture, with the state chemist as
analyst and the inspectors In the field. |
But Chemist Rose continues to try |
to confuse the public mind with the
idea that the pure food, stock feed and
fertilizer division is the same as the
chemical division. This is wholly un
true: neither has the chemical division
anything whatever to do with the f.
nancial affairs OF the department. II
produces no revenue, It is only one of
are clearly defined In section 1852.
chapter 5452, appendix Of the general
statutes. Any claim by Chemist
Rose, that the chemical division pro-
duces any revenue to the state is too
absurd for serious consideration, and
this explanation is made only for the
purpose of enlightening the public as
TO the real truth of the matter.
Again, the inspectors Ior neid Worh
are for the department and recon-
for such appointment
should lie with the executive head of
the department that better service
and control shall be maintained,
condition which could not be obtained
II these officials were to be exclusive
" controlled and directed by a sub
ordinate. Undoubtedly the public will
realize the importance and right Of
he head of the constitutional depart
ment of the state government to have
some voice in the selection as well as
control of those who are to work under
him. Mr.. Rose as state chemist is
official and no credence
must be placed in any claims he may
make to the contrary.
Very respectfully,
w A McRAE,