THE ADAMS ACT. 69 



specific iu character, ami phinued to involve thorough and exhaustive investi- 

 gation. It is important that the scientific spirit of the new act should be 

 appreciated. In planning for work under it, "original researches or experi- 

 ments " should be contemplated rather than activities of a more general or 

 miscellaneous character. 



Since under the ruling of the Comptroller of the Treasury the benefits of the 

 Adams Act will not be derived until the beginning of the new fiscal year, there 

 will be more time for considering and matiu-ing plans for work under it. These 

 plans are the more important, as they will presumably be for work to be contin- 

 ued for some time and will continue the basis for the expenditures. The 

 project will be the determining factor iu the matter of charges which will be 

 legitimate under the fund ; hence it is important that these projects should be 

 definite and specific and sharply differentiated from the general activities of 

 the staticm. In this way it will be possible to outline a budget for the expendi- 

 tures and to make an intelligible showing of the use to which the funds are 

 being put. 



Obviously only a few projects can be planned for at present, as they will 

 usually be rather large, important undertakings, involving considerable expense, 

 and it is essential that suOicient funds be allotted to each so that the investiga- 

 tions may be carried out in a thorough and effective manner. Our investigation 

 work in the past has freiiuently suffered from lack of sufficient definiteness of 

 plan and from shortage of funds at critical junctures. Under the new fund 

 interference from the latter cause should be guarded against, and the mapping 

 out of the plans for work under each i)roject in considerable detail will be a 

 material aid to the investigators themselves and to the administrative officers 

 of the stations as well. Such plans should have a definite object, should not be 

 too broad in their scope, and should contain a statement of the probable 

 expenses, including salaries from the Adams fund. The latter should be based 

 on the proportion of time of the several workers which the projects will call 

 for. While no expenses for general administration can be allowed from this 

 fund, administrative officers who are conducting investigations under it may 

 receive a part of their salaries from that source, the same as any other station 

 worker. 



As an illustration of the manner in w^hich these projects may be outlined, a 

 memorandum is inclosed of one in our nutrition investigations, showing the 

 method taken in this Ofllce to fix the scope and character of the undertaking, 

 the amount of work to be performed, and the estimated expense. Some such 

 plan would appear to be not only feasible in experiment station work, but a 

 practical necessity. 



It is such a programme as this which the circular letter of the Secretary of 

 Agriculture contemplates. It will furnish the basis for an examination of the 

 work and expenditures under the Adams fund, as provided for in the act. In 

 order to promote a clear understanding upon the kind of work which may be 

 regarded as appropriate, and the expense involved, it is suggested that a copy 

 of the programme of each station be sent to this Office for inspection as soon 

 as it has been completed. Obviously it will not be our intention to determine 

 what lines of work it will be most advisable to undertake with the fund in the 

 several States, but only to reach such an agreement as to the character of work 

 to be undertaken imder this act as will facilitate the passing of intelligent 

 judgment on the legitimacy of expenditures of the Adams fund. 

 Very truly, yours, 



A. C. True, Direct or. 



