The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-02
NURSERYMEN, SEEDSMEN AND
FLORISTS THE TARGETS OF
LAWMAKERS.

In a paper read AT the nurserymens
convention at Detroit last June Curtis
Y. Smith, an attorney Of Boston, Mass.
said: I'm the comparatively short and
recent period of four years Congress
and State legislatures OF the United
States have enacted the almost in
credible number Of $1,000 laws. 1t
hardly seems possible that human in
genuity could suggest so many differ
snt subjects for the attention and ac-
ton OF the law making branches OF u
national and State governments. II is
a safe statement TO make that no
other country, comparatively speak,
ing. enacts such a large number of
laws. An examination OF the iaws
passed by the Parliament OF Grel.
Britain in the four years, 1912 To 1915
the last year. because OF the great
European war, being induct!ve to
greater activity in new le~glslation),
shows that 1877 public general laws
were enacted. This number Is pr.n-
cipally made up of those laws the
object of which is 10 provide
the necessary revenues. the regu-
latton OF official commissions. army.
navy, &c. A careful examination CT
these 1877 British avs shows that only
sixteen acts OF Parliament regulate or
restrict commercial transactions. on
the other hand, the 50, 900 American
laws above mentioned show "A large
proportion OF so-called police laws;
tina Is. avs which principally 6
late commercial transactions.
There is no merit in The Inference
that American business men are not so
upright in their business dealings AZ
Englishmen, hence requiring greater
legislative control. The truth Of the
matter Is that American legislation is
FOR the most part without c~onsidora-
-nckle-ther result Of wh!ms and
passing fancies and the stock Of trade
OF aspirants for political office or Off
cla positions. In proof of this criti-
cism. n the ear 1907 the Supreme
Court OF the United States declared
ninety-eight statutes unconstitutional
because they violated the Constitution
or We're unfair, unreasonable or class
legislation, The sadlest part of this
Is that these ninety-eight statutes are
a mere handful compared to the rrea,
number OF void statutes. the cons.i-
tutionality Of which was not made m.
subject of judicial inquiry.
Business men almost ALWAYS ,ro,.
tentive to legislative or political ef-
iairs not directly affecting their own
business are feeling the onus n, This
| unreasonable 1nnfgi,,G.z $1,000
with legitimate business and their pro-
tests are becoming forceful.
NurserEmen seedmcn and florists
seem 10 ne the tnrget nj which much
uhlair legislation Is aimed by the yari-
Gus states and II the matter continues
u VIII he next to impossible for any OF
these To continue Interstate mmerce
In ADDITION to the unfair State laws.
national laws are continually bobhinc
up ana regulation by the national
AGRICULTURAL Department, by the res1,-
lallohs or the various state agricul-
tural departments, many of which are
unreasonable or unfair, passed by men
VINO know absolutely nothing about
horticulture or agriculture in ana form
ana totally unfit from lack OF knowl-
EDGE OF these subjects to frame amy
KIM or q law regulating them. Then
these are the regulations of the Post
ONCE Department, some Of which orc
impossible, like the regulation issued
by this department periodically. tina,
all seeds sent by mail shall he wrapped
in transparent containers"
The last order of the Post ONCE De-
partmcnt causing excitement I'm tho
trade Is order No, $3.50. regulating IN,
mailing of plants Ivy parcel post. This
regulation is To the effect that I'm MI
states providing for ana bearing the
expenses of terminal inspection Of
plants, h proper official shall submit.
Trough the Secretary of Agrlculturc
to tho Fostmaster-Gcneral, a lis, of
plants and plant products and the
plant pests transmitted thereby. and n
list Of the terminal inspection point
within that state All packages con-
tanning plants, SC, shall he forwarded
to their destination. and when rcccivcd
the postmaster shall notify the con-
siRnee that tn package must be sent
10 the terminal inspection point for in
spection, and that postage must be
supplied for forwarding the plants To
the inspection point ana return. If
! the consignee fails to send the postage