TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING. 91 



ANOTHER SHOWING OF THE COMMISSION'S QUEER WAYS. 



Mr. Morrill: At our meeting one year ago, Mr. Belden, of our state 

 commission, and Chief Samuels of the World's Fair, agreed that this 

 society ought to be put in charge of the horticultural exhibit, and it was 

 understood that they would urge the state commission to take this course. 

 When the committee was organized at Grand Rapids, I was put in charge 

 of small fruits. This was in the early spring. I heard nothing more 

 until July, when Mr. Belden drove to my place and asked me to do some 

 canning. I was too busy and had been unable to arouse any interest 

 among my people, but finally agreed to fill the cans. I told him I might 

 have to buy some fruit, and asked if any money was to be had for such 

 purpose. " No," said he, " there is some money but it must be used for 

 transportation and other expenses." Mr. Belden left. When I could, I 

 got about and secured some fruit. I waited three weeks for cans, and 

 then received a letter from either Mr. Weston or Mr. Stevens, asking me 

 to do the same things. I answered, and later wrote for cans, but was told 

 Mr. Woodman had been given charge of the work. Now Mr. Woodman 

 comes and asks what we are doing? I wrote Mr. Lyon and he replied that 

 he had been relieved, but did not say how. There seems to be a great 

 deal of confusion between Messrs. Weston, Stevens and Belden. 



Mr. Woodman: I received a telegraiji from Mr. Weston to " start that 

 pomological wagon " and get the canning of fruit started. I got Judge 

 Kamsdell appointed to take charge of the canning, and I suppose he has 

 done it. He had authority to go on and make bills and draw pay. But 

 I have nothing to do with the pomological exhibit save to start others to 

 work making it. I believe this society will be instructed that the $4,000 

 are yours and you must go ahead and use them. I am confident that it is 

 the commission's wish that you go ahead and make this exhibit. 



WHO takes the responsibility. 



Prof. Taft: Are we to understand that this society can have $4,000 

 with which to make the pomological exhibit? 



Mr. Woodman: I mean that the committee will do it, by and with the 

 advice and co-operation of the horticultural societies of the state. 



Mr. Scott: As I understand it, members of that committee are to 

 expend their own money and take their chances of getting it back some 

 time or other, 



Mr. Woodman: It is a rule of the state, in all its dealings, to pay for 

 no service until it has been rendered. This is a rule of the state, not of 

 the commission. 



