INSPECTION OF THE STATIONS. 57 



and it is often an advantage to the stations in that it helps to bring 

 them into closer relations with the farmers and to establish them 

 more firmly as agencies for their protection from fraud, as well as 

 for the working out of their agricultural problems. But since this 

 service is purely State police work, the Department has held that 

 the Federal funds should not be used for it, and that it must be so 

 organized as not to interrupt or interfere with the activity of the 

 stations in their more legitimate field. As the States have not 

 always made adequate provision for this inspection work, the rela- 

 tion of the stations to it has required quite constant attention. 



The position which the stations occupy leads them to be called 

 upon for a variety of other services not within their legitimate do- 

 main, and the restrictions placed about the Federal funds by the 

 Department have served to hold these demands in check. The at- 

 tempt is made, w^hile taking a broad view of the functions -of the 

 stations under the Hatch Act, to see that their funds, as far as the 

 Federal appropriations are concerned, are restricted quite closely 

 to expenses directly connected with the work of experimentation and 

 investigation and the dissemination of the results. The Hatch Act 

 is so broad in its language that without a quite close construction 

 the funds might readily be dissipated for a variety of work, undoubt- 

 edly useful to the people, but which would in a large measure pre- 

 vent the stations from realizing their true function. While the De- 

 partment's construction has not been free from objection, its position 

 is now generally recognized and has helped greatly in convincing the 

 States that they must assume the burden of certain kinds of work. 



In a general way the insj^ection of the stations is going on through- 

 out the year. The annual visitation is the most important means of 

 keeping informed as to the station work and business, general condi- 

 tion and progress, plans for the future, and the like; but there is 

 steady correspondence with the stations throughout the year upon 

 matters of policy, progress of work, use of funds, etc. And at the 

 end of the 3^ear the financial reports are carefully examined in the 

 light of the inspection reports and other data. This examination 

 involves a considerable amount of work, as it can not be assigned to a 

 purely clerical force, and requires much correspondence in order 

 that the approval or disallowances maj^ be made on an intelligent 

 basis. But taken in connection with the general attitude of the 

 Department, it has prevented dissipation of the Federal funds and 

 has resulted in a steady development of the stations in point of 

 efficiency, grade of work, and concentration of effort. The wisdom 

 and advantage of this are now recognized by station officers and 

 workers generally, who have found in the Office a champion of their 

 cause and a promoter and defender of their highest interests. 



