Evening star., 1934-02-20
BOTANIC GARDEN
NEW DEAL ASKED
Frederic A. DeIano Urges
transfer of Control to 49,
ricuIture Department.

by Frederic A. Delano, appearing be-
fore the Joint Committe on Library
OF the Senate and House at hearing
on the Robinson bill to transfer the
control of the Botanic Garden to the
Department of Agriculture.
Mr.. Delano, who is chairman Of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, but who announced he
spoke as a private citizen" gave
strong Endorsement to the Robinson
bill. He said he was mainly inter-
ested, however, in the development
Of a great United States Botanic Gar
den and would support any measure
looking to that end.
Other Supporters Heard.
Representatives of the Department
OF Agriculture, the Garden Club of
America and various horticultural
societies were heard also in support
of the Robinson bill, introduced by
Senate Democratic Leader Robinson
Of Arkansas. At present the Botanic
Garden is under control Of the Joint
Committee on Library of the two
houses Of Congress. 1t has been under
the control of Congress since 1t was
established many years ago.
Secretary Henry A. Wallace Of the
Department of Agriculture was absent
from the city, but he sent representa-
tives of the department to the hear
ing and a statement by himself in
support Of the transfer of the Botanic
Garden to the Department of Agri-
culture.
Up to now, Mr.. Delano told the
committee, the Botanic Garden has
been no more than the Capitol green
house." upon which Congress has been
spending at the rate of $114,000 q
year.
In the current year." said Mr..
Delano, "this has increased, I under
stand. to s14o, 900. As private citi-
Ing what the Congress or the people
get for this expenditure of s114000.
How many visitors have been attract
ed annually to see the botanic dis
play? Is there any record of the visi-
tors? I have found none. Is there
any annual report of progress made?
Have any rare plants or flowers ever
been exhibited? Has the world ever
been benefited by the development of
any interesting or new species? Has
the public been stimulated in an edu-
cational way by the work done in this
greenhouse? Are there botanists on
its staff? Are any scientific or edu-
cational pamphlets issued? So far as
know, nothing has been accom-
plished in the past along these lines
and it seems certain that if we are
looking forward to better day, great
er achievement for the same money,
or, perhaps, the same achievement for
less money, Is desirable.
Better Flowers Possible.
" do not criticize the fact that
from this greenhouse the Offices of
Senators and Representatives have
been supplied with plants, and I
have been told that surplus flowers,
which would otherwise have been
wasted, are delivered to the families
Of the members of Congress. can't
believe, however, that what members
OF Congress have received in this way
Is worth anything like s114,0o0 year,
which would amount to a little over
5000 per year per member. I am
and better flowers can be supplied by
competent horticulturists for less than
this amount.
"It is evident that this committee
OF Congress should ask itself what is
the best plan for the future, and
again speaking as a private citizen
1t seems to me that this is pertinent
matter that should be gone into care
fully. The Bureau of the Budget Is
concerned with this subject on the
ground Of economy and it is recon-
mended that the operation Of this
greenhouse and the Agriculture De-
partment greenhouses be turned over
to experts, to be selected by the De-
partment of Agriculture; or, to be
more specific, to the experts within
the Bureau OF Plant Industry. I
cannot but think this would be an
Improvement over the present plan,
but I realize that any method may
fall into bad ways.
There is, however, much to be said
In favor Of the management, inde-
pendent OF Congress, management
which Congress will feel free to criti-
else. It Is very hard for any men or
group Of men to criticise their own
work, and think I am old enough
In experience to say this and have no
personal animosity In saying it. It
Il simply matter of plain human
nature that we are not able to see
our own faults as others see them.
Investigations are now being made
by Congress of the conduct of differ
ent departments and bureaus of the
Government, and it is entirely proper
that they should be made; but I ques-
ton very much If similar investi-
cation could, or would be conducted
II the bureaus under criticisms had
been set up by committees in Con-
gress and under their control.
Wants Best Results.
"T have come here prepared to in
dOrSe the bill introduced by Senator
Robinson of Arkansas, but would In
dorse any other bill, or modification of
this bill, which would accomplish the
purposes I have indicated. What the
friends Of horticulture would like to
see are the best results possible at
minimum of expense. 1t seems nat
ural that we should look for experts
In horticulture in the great Depart
ment Of Agriculture, which maintains
Q Bureau of Plant Industry and has
upon its staff several hundred plant
scientists, many of whom are botan-
lists, If Congress now or at some fu-
ture time really wants to set up a
botanic garden which would compare
favorably, for example, with the Kew
Gardens in London or the great plant
gardens of Berlin, Paris and New
York City, or even botanic gardens in
other parts Of the world, it must rouse
itself and shake itself free from the
small point of view it has hitherto
held upon this subject"
Mr.. Delano said the name Botanic
Garden given to the present green
house was a misnomer.
t"The trouble about calling an ex-
hibition greenhouse botanic garden
Is either weak attempt to mislead
people or else to convince people in