Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1915-01-20

prises while dry-farming is still too
experimental here to permit the state
to offer definite assurance to those
whom 1T may invite to undertake this
kind of development.
The work OF the bureau acting in
an advisory capacity TO the farmers
and stockmen of the state has been
productive of real results. A number
OF bulletins have been issued from the
department designed TO assist in a
better understanding of our agricul-
tural and animal husbandry problems,
and the information thus conveyed
has been very generally accepted and
employed. In particular the bulle-
tins on hog.raising and dairying have
been the cause of a very substantial
increase in the number of farmers
who are providing means for the con-
version of their crops in their own
plants into marketable products. The
university will. however. in future
through the operation of the Smith
Lever appropriations. carry on this
work largely at federal expense.
am frank to say that the work of
the commissioner. Mr.. N%orcross, has
been such as to command the admira-
ton OF every fair-minded person who
has familiariZed himself with il, and
that, through his services. the state
has enjoyed the benefits Of a large en-
%perience and a brilliant mind, but /
am convinced that the department
should be abolished. for the time be-
ing, at least, for the reasons that
from a public standpoint, IL is in ad-
vance of our information on the
things that We are attempting to ad-
v~ertise, and that. from the standpoint
Of agricultural development, it will
be duplicating work to be done
henceforth by the university largely
with federal funds.
Provision should be made for the
return of the powers conferred on the
bureau in the administration of the
Carey Act to the state engineer and
the surveyor general.
The matter of underground water
investigation is one which can now
on the invitation of the federal gov
eminent, be conducted on a coopera-
tive basis with the national depart
ments under the direction of the
state engineer.
Capitol Building and Grounds.
The addition to the capitol author
lied by the last session of your hon
orable bodies has been completed, and
with the exception of the furnishings,
within the appropriation made for
the purpose. These wings were built
from stone cut by convict labor at
the prison, and the entire job reflects
great credit on the board of capitol
commissioners which had the work
in charge, as well as upon the warden
of the p~enitentiary and the inmates
of that institution who cut the stone.
Provision is. now made for the
housing of all of the state depart
ments, which have heretofore occu-
pied outside quarters. in the capitol
building.
Estimates of the cost of certain fur
nishings which are still needed will
be supplied later, and appropriations
to owe the purchase of this equip
men should be made. The saving
in rental paid by the state for out
side offices represents n very fair
rate of interest on the investment
made in the enlargement Of the cap
itol building. The housing Of all the
departments in the building should re-
suit in increased efficiency, and will
undoubtedly result in greatly increas-
ed convenience, both from the stand
points of the state officials and the
public.
AS IL result of the building opera
tons the capitol grounds are in eX-
Ceedingly bad repair. and a plan will
be submitted during the session for
the restoration of these grounds to
their former. or an improved, condi-
ton. The work of reconstructing the
grounds can. in my judgment, be
done by prison labor within the limit
of expense which the state should
incur at this time for work of this
character.
The University Of Nevada.
DR.. Joseph Edwards Stubs, who
served for nearly twenty years as
president of the university. died on
May 81, 1911. The university today
stands as n fitting monument to his
distinguished services to the state.
On September 8 the board of re-
gents appointed as his successor
Archer Wilmont Hendricks, who
comes to Nevada with a record of
exceptional administrative achieve
ment In other educational fields.
The institution is today enjoying
The most prosperous period Of It's
history. The enrolment for the
nrBt semester of 1915 is 343-an in
crease Of II per cen over the enroll
ment for the preceding year-and
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