EDITORIAL. 631 



while the Biological Survey is raised to the grade of a bureau and 

 given a total of $52,000, a slight increase. The Bureau of Statistics 

 receives practically the same as last year, $196,460. 



The Office of Experiment Stations is given more definite standing in 

 the agricultural bill than previously, the various appropriations as- 

 signed to it being grouped together under it, making a total appropria- 

 tion, including that for the experiment stations, of $917,900. There 

 is a small increase for the Office proper, an additional $3,000 for the 

 Alaska Experiment Stations, "for the purchase and introduction of 

 live stock for experimental purposes." and an increase of $10,000 for 

 the irrigation and drainage investigations. The wording of the appro- 

 priation for the latter purpose is broadened to include studies upon the 

 use of different kinds of power and appliances for irrigation, drainage, 

 and other agricultural purposes. This will enable the Office to take 

 up studies in agricultural engineering which have been in contempla- 

 tion for the past two years. 



In the case of the Division of Publications there is an increase of 

 $6,000, which is apparent rather than real, and is accounted for by 

 the readjustment of the clerical force. The total amount for next 

 year is $216,620. This includes the allowance for Farmers' Bulletins, 

 amounting to about $100,000, but as usual does not include the fund 

 available for printing the other miscellaneous bulletins of the Depart- 

 ment. This comes out of the general printing fund, which amounts 

 to over $6,500,000, the Department's allowance being $185,000, includ- 

 ing §25,000 for the Weather Bureau. Aside from this, $300,000 is 

 set aside for the Department Yearbook, and the annual and special 

 reports to Congress are provided for specifically. All told, the 

 expenditures for Department printing aggregate nearly or quite 

 $850,000 a year. 



The Office of Public Roads is given an increase of $15,000, the total 

 now being $50,000, and the scope of its work is enlarged to include 

 investigation of the chemical and physical character of road materials 

 (now carried on under the Bureau of Chemistry), and to furnish expert 

 advice on road making. The total amount provided for the Office of 

 the Secretary and for contingent expenses of the Department is 

 $147,320, and in addition the Division of Accounts and Disbursements 

 receives $32,110 and the Library $21,040. 



The funds for the erection of the new Department building are not 

 carried by this appropriation. The work of excavating for the two 

 wings has Ween in progress during the winter, and although somewhat 

 delayed by the weather, is now practically completed. A small section 

 of the building, showing the full height, has been constructed of wood 

 and staff to give an idea of its proportions and general appearance. 

 The growth of the Department makes the need of the new quarters 



