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B. Xrcronent 2; Scientists Are ResponslI)l» 



Congress blames the bureaucracy for living in the dark ages 

 and resisting new research priorities. Some Members of Congress 

 argue that building facilities in their districts does not detract 

 from the overall purpose of the research agencies. Rather, they 

 say, it assists science by providing funds that would not otherwise 

 be available. But convincing data show that efforts by university 

 scientists and USDA personnel to improve the system are ignored in 

 favor of placing new and retaining old facilities in the districts 

 of powerful congressional members. 



The value of some research defies measurement. The scientific 

 community argues, and rightly so, that Congress demands much of 

 research that is simply not possible. Basic research, for example, 

 is difficult to evaluate for its immediate applicability to the 

 farmer in the field. As well, some of the spending Congress cites 

 as inefficient is important to the scientific process. Hadwiger 

 states, "Indeed, the spectacular successes in research often come 

 from intense competition among scientists who are chasing the same 

 hound in similar laboratories, a phenomenon which budget-cutters 

 may see as wasteful. But in the ^compete and communicate' style of 

 public research, these laboratories replicate and leapfrog one 

 another in their rush to success." 



V. VICTIMS OF THE BLAME GAME; 

 FAILED REFORM EFFORTS 



Base closing commission. Section 1674 of the 1990 farm bill 

 mandated the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an independent. 

 Agricultural Research Facilities Planning and Closure Study 

 Commission to be disbanded after eight months of work. The 

 Commission, composed of members appointed by the Administration and 



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