Evening star., 1933-05-31
Transfer to Agricultural De-
! partment Pressed by
Robinson. -
POINT OF ORDER BARS
{ AMENDMENT IN SENATE
Democratic Leader Reads Letters
From Mrs. Frank B. Noyes
and Others for Move.

Although a point of order blocked
action by the Senate today on the pro-
posed amendment to the independent
Offices appropriation bill to transfer the
Botanic Gardens to the Department OF
Agriculture as step toward consolida-
tion of "the Governments greenhouse
facilities, Senator Robinson of Arkanas,
Democratic leader, announced he would
introduce a separate bill seeking to
bring about the proposed change.
> In offering the Botanic Garden
amendment to the appropriation bill
Senator Robinson pointed out that the
garden at present is under jurisdiction
of the Joint Committee on Library
OF the Senate and House. He said
this arrangement appeared inconsistent
to citizens who have studied the subject
and that the Budget Bureau has recon-
mended the transfer to the Depart
ment of Agriculture.
In support of the amendment, Sena-
tor Robinson read to the Senate a
statement from Mrs. Frank B. Noyes,
representative of the Garden Club of
America, In which the advantages Of
placing the Botanic Garden under the
Department of Agriculture were out
lined. Senator Robinson also placed
in the record a statement by A. F.
Woods, director of scientific work Of
the Agriculture Department, discussing
the proposed transfer.
Opposed by Copeland.
Senator Copeland, Democrat of New
York, after making a brief argument
against the transfer, raised a point of
order against Senator Robinsons
tion bill, and Senator George, Democrat
~ Gn0r0it. rut1n T1racidinO G.
tanned the point of order. Senator
sMcNary of oregon, Republican leader,
expressed the hope that Copeland would
Withdraw the point of order. Senator
Barkley, Democrat Of Kentucky. indi-
rated that II it was withdrawn he would
renew it.
Senator Robinson then announced
that he would draw up O separate bill
and have 1t referred to an appropriate
committee to make sure the transfer
would be considered later on.
The statement from Mrs. Noyes
which Senator Robinson read In the
Senate stated in part:
Under the direction OF scientnc
men In the Agriculture Department al
ready engaged in the importation ana
proparation of tropical and semi
tropical trees and shrubs (who 1or
years have had no proper place to DIS
MACE their rare and ever increasing
xnecjnens) this recently constructed
cnnseryatory of the Botanical Garden
could fse maintained at much lower
cost than the present proposed appro-
priation by Congress for this PURPOSE
as the salaries of these experts are al
ready provided for.
"A truly magnificent display OF has a,
tional importance could De pIouuue41, ,e1,o,,
time for those seeking So0ii A1A
ut the Capital"
New Stock Needed.
THE statement which Senator ROD
s,son read also contained message re-
ceived recently from DR.. Davlo FalI-
child from Florida, who mas peen en
oaged for wears in searching the WofIa
for material for the Department :"
Agriculture. The message reao: .
..If ,rhat is nroposed now had taken
,,,.ce On wears ago we might have pullt
sornething of national importance OUT
~ the then so-called Botanic Garoehs
and through It's glass houses, lntro-
Gnced in the general house cultured ne"
nlants of beauty and importance.
Fpaferrir1g to the construction WORK,
Sust COMPLETED at the Botanic GARDENS
She statement of Mrs. Noyes, contlnueu.
SIt has never seemed to us that tnese
buildings for which an approprlae,13aa
~ Ssoo 600 was recently made couio
,,-onerlv serve their purpose unless some
t,,ch reformation could be effected. we
have been told that much Of the pres
ent stock is diseased and should pc re-
neweI and. of course, the cost OF pur-
chasing new material would be almosC
I,rohibitive. The maintenance woulu,
OF course, be greatly reduced oy nasrns
stock which is constantly being rene"ea
~ the AGRICULTURAL Department ana
srhich would be available at all times
for such purposes"