The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-03-03
OwGoverumeut
How 1t Operates
BY William Brxcka,7
FACTS FOR THE FARMER

FACTS FOR THE FARMER
ONE Of the senators created quite
~ a furore In the recent session OF
congress by his criticism of the De-
partment of Agriculture for what he
called woeful waste OF money In
printing pamphlets and documents for
the information of agriculture. The
senator. suddenly seized by a desire
for economy, selected a pamphlet
which he described as 1.-THE Love Life
of Bullfrog." on which to make his
own play for publicity.
1t was true that the Department
of Agriculture had issued pamphlet
concerning bullfrogs, although l failed
to find in it any reference to his love
life. On the other hand, that docu-
ment contained the results of study
of that little friend of man in order
to show how greatly he helped by
his Unsuitable appetite for certain
kinds of insects, protecting the health
of the nation and the crops the farm
ers grow.
Obviously. It seems like a waste OF
money until you know how farreach-
ing the Investigations of the depart
ment prove to be. 1t Is, however,
proper to point out that without all
of these scientific studies, farming
would not be what 1t has proved to
be, a gigantic resource of a great
nation. That statement Is made, not
withstanding the recognized fact that
farmers, as everyone else, have suf-
fered In the worst depression of mod
ern history. It is my deliberate con-
clusion that farmers would have been
worse off except for the help of their
government In this connection.
There are not thousands, but mill
lions Of these pamphlets, documents,
books, leaflets and printed material for
newspaper publication sent out each
year by the department. If its work Is
to be of aid to those for whom 1t Is
Intended, they must be made acquaint-
ed with It. SO, 1t does seem that gov
eminent expenditures of this kind
are justifiable up to a certain point;
just as valuable, indeed, as are other
funds spent by the department In the
thousands of studies, researches, ex-
periments and administrative direc-
ton of it's work.
It Is readily understandable how
agriculture gains from scientific work
that results in prevention of cholera
among hogs, hoof and mouth disease
among cattle, rust Ia wheat. and 9TH
ers of that character. Likewise. the
experiment station In your state, II
you have happened to visit 1t, gives
you a clear idea Of results to be
gained from doing things certain
way, but 1t Is not so easy for the
person who has not traced each oper-
alton through to its ultimate conclu-
sion to see where some expenditures
are justified.
All the while and In countless ways,
the scientists of the department are
seeking to find facts. facts of value
to the farmer, and when they have
helped the farmer they have likewise
performed a service for the man in
the city, since agriculture is funda-
mental In our economic life.
Thus, we find In the Department of
bureaus of animal indus
try and dairy industry, of agricultural
economics and home economics, one
to plants, and another relat-
ing to control Of foods and drugs In
of peoples health, to men,
ton a few of them. Each has it's
place and purpose. Each has been
created by congress that saw
need for the work that it was to do.
1t may seem strange, at first thought,
that the weather bureau and the bu-
reau of public roads should have been
lodged in the Department of Agricul-
ture. But the functions they performed
at the time they were organized were
more intimately related to agriculture
than to any other economic effort.
The vast annual expenditures of
the federal government, in cooper
alton with the states, for construc-
ton of public roads had their incep-
ton from a desire to enable farmers
to reach markets. Right on top of this
came the desire to enable farmers to
receive their mail through the farfiung
system of rural mail routes, and so
that agency has gone along, year aft.
er year, In development of the great.
est system of public highways ex.
listing in any nation on earth.
It was the same with the weather
bureau. Farmers, with perishable
crops, needed information as far In
advance as possible and the govern
ment tried to arrange 1t for them. OF
course, In later years, the weather
man" has come to be a vital factor in
the life of the air pilot and In CONNER.
cial and Industrial effort as well. but
1t remains In the Department of Agri-
culture for the good and sufficient
reason that it can be administered
better there than in any other branch
of the government and the purpose
of its inception remains as it's funda,
mental basis of operation.
G. 1892. Western Newspaper Union.
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