The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-02-03
MORE EFFICIENT W0RKBY
DEPARTMENTS, LEGISLATION,
URGED BY COMMISSION

"The Bureau of Animal Industry
and the Federal Horticultural Board
| are charged with this policing SER
vice, and much good work has been
done by both. However, at present
there is urgent need of immediate
| recognition of the inadequacy OF
protection to American agriculture
through the lack of funds, powers,
and administrative programs for the
prevention of the importation and
spread of diseases and pests. The
| outbreaks of such diseases are not
local, but may at any moment be-
come national calamities.
There arc continuing threats of
grave plant pests. Many of our
ports are entirely unprotected, while
| at other points the present admins
| tration only provides for the most
superficial inspection with depend
ence upon local inspection at the
point of destination, which is often
deficient because of utter lack of
| facilities, such pests as brown-tail
moth, gypsy moth, fruit flies, pink
bollworm of cotton, the European
corn borer, and others, continually
threaten the safety of American
| agriculture. They are continually
intercepted at points of entry, and
undoubtedly are passing through un-
guarded ports and through points of
| adequate police protection.
"The Federal government has no
authority to require states to engage
uniform regulations. This, however,
does not modify the necessity for
such uniform state quarantine regu-
latrpns through federal leadership
and the willingness of the federal
representatives to respond to invita-
tons to take charge of outbreaks or
to cooperate with states.
1.-THE conference, therefore, con-
ours in the suggestion that the pre-
tarY of agriculture the recognition
Of the necessity of increased activi-
ty and vigilance upon these lines,
and that specifically, the secretary
of agriculture should take action in
the following matters"
First, there should be built up a
\ plan for the uniform state quaran-
tine rules and regulations, and every
effort made to obtain cooperation Of
governors and state directors of
agriculture. 1t is recognized that
already efforts are being made on
these lines, by bringing the state
directors Of agriculture into con-
ference with the Secretary of Agri-
culture. In Washington, through
payment by the Federal government
of the expenses of such conference,
it is believed that important and
most beneficial results can be OBJ
tanned. 1t is earnestly suggested that
state directtrs of agriculture and
other appropriate state officials
borators.
Second, it is further recommended
that in matters of quarantine the
director of the budget and the secre-
tary of agriculture take into account
the increasing perils that theaten
American agriculture, and, therefore,
the increasing funds that may be
necessary to properly police the
country.
Interstate Commerce Commission
ut was the intention of the law
which created the Interstate Com
merce commission to make it the
duty of the commission to act not
only as an arbitrator or judge be-
tween the shippers on the one hand
and the railroads on the other, but
also as an investigator and advocate
for the shipping public in general
That this latter duty was just as i'm
portant in the minds of Congress as
; it's duty to act as a court in adjust.
ing differences between the railroads
and the shipper is clearly shown ir
the debates which took place in Con
gress previous to the passage of the
act setting up the commission.
"The second limitation takes the
form of the definitions of coopera
tive organizations which shall be ia,
exempt. The conference recommend:
the adoption, as part of the standing
administrative regulations, of a suf
ficient statement that any organiza
: ton, regardless Of it's form or com
plexity, which is controlled by The
classes of agricultural producer
enumerated in the law, and the exc
cutives exclusively responsible t,
: them, will be deemed to be eligibl,
Il for exemption if it is shown that
81. It's activities have been re
,'stricted to the service of it's mem
bers in their capacity as agriculture
producers; in providing services o
processing or Classification; or i
affecting distribution and sale.
: "2. Its entire revenues from thes
activities have Injured directly to tn
: benefit of the members, in accord
ance with their contribution, wit
deduction only Of legitimate ex
T. penses for materials furnished am
:, services employed and of the charge
necessary for the capital investmen
: and reserve"