Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-08-14

That the scope of activities of the
United States department of agricul-
ture is far greater than is generally
known to the people of the country
was shown Friday evening by Harry
n. Foss, former Augusta boy and
now assistant solicitor of that depart
ment, who was the speaker at the reg
ular supper meeting of the Augusta
Rotary Club. He told not only of the
work of the department In an abstract
way. but gave several concrete ex-
amplee particularly dealing with the
dangers that the employees of the de-
partment go through to carry out the
duties of their Office.
He declared that the department has
grown very rapidly in the past quar-
ter century, now employing over 90
600 persons In all parts of the world,
where in 1900 1t employed but 5000
people. The secretary exercises su-
pervision over the entire department
and establishes the general policies
of the various Offices. In his absence
the assistant secretary acts in his
stead. The solicitor is the legal ad-
wiser and directs all law work of the
department. He Is assisted by corps
of lawyers, known as assistant solicit
ors, who are assigned to various
classes of work.
THE variety of legal matters passed
upon by these men Is astonishing to
those not familiar with the varied
activities of the department" he said.
Hundreds of criminal cases arise each
year under the statutes administered
by the department Numerous cases
are prepared for the redress of civil
wrongs suffered by the United States
in connection with its property, par
ticularly the national forests. Equit-
able relief is often sought and many
constitutional questions are consid-
cred"
Mr.. Foss named several Of the d.
visions of the department and told
something of their duties. Among
these are the office of information
having to do with publicity; the office
OF motions pictures, which has charge
of the distribution of the motion pic
lures covering a variety of subjects:
the agricultural extension service
which disseminates information with
regard to the discoveries of the ex-
rerimental experts; the weather bu-
reau: the bureau OF animal industry;
the bureau of dairying; the bureau of
plant industry, the scientific work of
which is divided into so distinct
groups: the forest service, which adj
ministers the national forests, COM
prising millions of acres Of land, and
many others, some of which are sell
dom heard of but all of which work
together to gain more knowledge and
to spread it so that the people of the
United States may benefit from it.
He spoke particularly of the peril
from forest fires and of the work
which the United States Forest Ser
vice does In combating these blazes
and in investigating suspicious fires
and placing the blame at the door of
the person responsible.
Mr.. FosS declared that in certain
sections of the country at times great
enmity toward the workers of the de-
,partment springs up as they attempt
to introduce some remedy for the
eradication of the cattle tick. or
something of that nature and that on
several occasions members of the
force have been shot down in cold
blood by those who would resist these
methods. At times the workers are
forced to so fully armed and to work
in two or threeS for mutual protec-
ton from farmers who look with dis
favor upon the methods which are
being introduced. In closing he said:
"The files of the Agricultural De-
partment are rich in records relating
to valuable scientific achievements.
accounts Of murders. thefts, crimes
of all kinds, personal encounters and
fires, which really excite you and
which read like fiction. 1t is a fine
department and one of which a great
country may we'll be proud"
Another very pleasing feature of
the meeting was the presence of
Mrs. Ernest L. Starr Of New York
City and of Winston Salem. n. c.,
who sang for the Rotarians Mrs.
Starr is In charge of the music de-
partment at Camp Cathedral Pines at
Winthrop and has a very rich, finely
trained voice. She sang Il Heard
You Go BY" by Wood and group of
Negro spirituals, both Of which were
very pleasing to the club members.