Proceedings of Seventeenth ]^ormal Institute 05 



It will not be necessary always to interpret the law, and perhaps 

 this would be unwise. But you can say — in a fruit-growing sec- 

 tion, for instance — that there is, on the statute books of the state 

 of New York, a law regulating the grading of apples. It might 

 be well to point out the main provision or provisions of that law, 

 keeping in mind the fact that you should always be certain that 

 you have given those provisions correctly. You should also add 

 that there are other provisions of the law which the gTOwer should 

 not overlook. 



It might be well to call for questions. Probably the best way 

 to answer these questions would be by reading that portion of the 

 law pertaining to the questions. Whatever your answer or expla- 

 nation may be, be absolutely certain that you are right as regards 

 legal interpretation. If you do not know, or if in doubt, take the 

 person's name and forward the question to the Department at 

 Albany, and I promise you that your request will have immediate 

 attention. 



I realize that you are not lawyers, but I want you to appreciate 

 legal accuracy and to realize that whatever you say must be in 

 accordance with the law. To my mind it does you no hann to 

 say that you do not know but will find out. On the other hand, 

 it certainly will do you harm, and bring discredit to the depart- 

 ment, if you try to bluff. 



In every meeting where such reference is made to this or that 

 law, I want the conductor to make a record of that fact and forward 

 that record to the Commissioner at Albany. This is evidence 

 which the Commissioner can use in case of violations of these par- 

 ticular laws in that locality. 



There have been forwarded to you copies of the revised law, 

 which is published as Bulletin 72. I am going to ask you to study 

 carefully all articles relating to the work which you are presenting. 

 I have asked Mr. Planders to attend this institute, and you will 

 notice that he appears on the program at the close of each gToup 

 of subjects. He has done this at my request to bring out the 

 legal points while the subject is fresh in our minds. This is a 

 new feature of the institute work which, in my mind, is extremely 

 important; and I hope that you will undertake it in the spirit of 

 hearty cooperation and try your very best to accomplish results. 



