South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-05
THROWS LIMELIGHT
ON METHODS USED
BY U.S.. FARM HEAD
Hoosier Agricultural Expert
Quits Position on Amer
lean Farm Board.
BY louis LUDLOW,

A&eWs- INES W RAhin Ebon correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. c.. AIril A.
Because he could not become recon
ciled 20 holding a position which
ne found after entering the govern
ment service. is a sinecure without
any responsible duties and because
he could not tolerate the deaden-
Ing influence Of antiQUated routine
IN departmental procedure" Asst
Sec'y OF Agriculture James r. Riggs
quite the service. b3de his chief.
Sec'y OF Agriculture Meredith.
goodbye, and departed for his home
In Sullivan county. Ind, where he
Will resume the management OF his
large farming interests, glad 10 be
free man again.
Submits Letter.
Before departing Mr.. Riggs sub
mitted TO Sec'y Meredith a letter in
which he throws the limelighi on
the achaic methods and practices
that have grown up in the depart
ment OF agriculture. This letter is
IL companion piece OF the recent
letter OF Sec'y OF Interior Lane 90
Pres't Wilson. IN which the retiring
head OF the interior department
tore away the veil from depart
mental methods and exposed some
OF The ineTiiciency Ia his home
state Air. Riggs is man Of large
affairs and varied interests. When
he came TO washington he exI ected
TO be in position TO render dis
tinct services TO the public but
found himself marooned i'm a lob
with high sounding title and sub
stantial salary, but without duties.
he stood L as long as he could
then Threw UP the job. Hit letter
TO Sec'y Meredith is as follows:
My dear Mr.. Secretary. In ac-
cepting the position OF assistant
secretary OF agriculture six months
ago I had hoped that my business
experience, together with nv prac-
tiCal knowledge Of agriculture.
would enable me 10 render "A serv-
ice TO my country. and especially 20
this department knowing that the
federal government was entering
on an enormous road building pro-
gram, in cooperation with the sew
eral states, IL was my earnest desire
10 utilize the information 7 had
gained from long practical expert
ence in the construction Of high
ways for the benefit of the tax
Iayers.
ACTcDt~ Position.
Before accepting tho appoint
ment 7 came TO Washington and
discussed with the former secretary
my experience and qualifications for
the work i'm q most open and frank
/ manner II was my understanding
that he was satisfied with my fitness
and, with that idea. 1 accepted the
appointm ent
The title OF the office would in
/ dicate that there were responsible
ties Of an executive nature that I
would be called upon TO discharge.
I especially in the absence of the sec
retary. I was not aware until some
time after my acceptance that the
position carried no definite RESP on
sible duties With but scaut oppOr
tunity 10 render service. and when
I considering the simple routine work
performed which consisted only in
the signing Of certain papers that
I came 20 me already prepared and
approved. ] am obliged 20 say thar
( the expenses of my Office are not
justified
Tenders Resignation.
Feeling that il Is not fair 20 the
T taxpayers OF the country. nor just
20 myself 20 make any further sac
rigce OF time and personal Interests
under such circumstance 7 have
I rendered you my resignation
'It appears 10 ue that the de-
+ partmeut cannot be of the the great
f est helpfulness 20 the whole cOlu-
+ try with the control usurped and
centralized i'm the hands of four
( or FIVE employees Of long tenure il
Office who have not had am oppor-
. CONTINUED OK PACE FoURl