Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-26
SWEEPING INQUIRY
INTO AGRICULTURAL
PARTMENT ASKED

Signed by Representative Stew
art, of Atkinson, and approximately
seventy-five other legislators, n
resolution demanding an investiga-
ton of the state department of agri-
culture was introduced Tuesday in
the house of representatives..
cit has been charged in the news
papers of this state and by many
citizens, that the department OF
agriculture of Georgia has been con-
verted into a great political ma.
moneys appropriated for use of this
department, and in the maintenance
and appointment of a large number
Of unnecessary employees upon its
payroll who render a very little and
practically no service to TIE state,
especially with reference to the
number and list of oil inspectors il
the large cities throughout the
state, and also the fertilizer inspec'
tors of the state" the resolution
reads.
Farmers Pay $30,0O0.OO0
The farmers of the state are
forced to purchase annually from
the fertilizer manufacturers $780,
00O,0 900 worth of manufactured fer
tflizer and it is asserted and believed
by the farmers Of this state that
these manufactured fertilizers do
not in many instances come up to
the guaranteed analysis, and are
spurious and worthless" the resolu-
ton continues, adding that it is
alleged the fertilizer inspectors do
not properly discharge their duties
"This department is paying more
attention and giving more time to
politics than to the ordinary bust
ness affairs pertaining to it, and
paying out money for which the
people of Georgia receive very little
service or benefit" according to
charges, the resolution states.
The resolution states that the COM
missioner Of agriculture has re-
quested an investigation, and pro-
vides that a committee Of ten mem
bers from the house and five from
the senate be appointed by the speak
err and president of the two bodies,
respectively, to conduct a thorough
investigation.
Report This Year
Tho rpcOII1tiOn concludes.
Therefore, be it resolved by the
house of representatives. the SEN
ate concIrring. that a committee OF
ten members of the house Of repre-
sentatives, appointed by the speak
er, and five members of the senate,
appointed by the president, be en-
powered to investigate the acts,
conduct, doings and management OF
the department of agriculture, the
moneys expended by this depart
ment and any and all other acts by
it; that this committee be empow'
cred to compel attendance at its
sessions; that it be provided with a
stenographer and a sergeant-at-
arms, and that the sum of $500 be
appropriated for it's expenses"
The resolution also provides that
the committee make it's report TO
the 1923 session of the legislature,
if possible. and otherwise. that it
make continuous investigation until
the work is completed.
In the meantime the senate sent
over resolution by Senator Lang
ford providing for an investigation
of the department of agriculture
and a similar resolution by Repre-.
sentative Elders, of Tatnall county,
was read the second time, and is
ready for passage.
Representative Stewart attempted |
to ask unanimous consent that his
resolution be referred to commit
tee fthe whole house, but Speaker |
Neill ruled that the period of unani-
nous consent had expired. Repre- !
sentative Stewart stated that he
would renew this effort Wednesday