26 HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 
question of diversification of crops, the production of new varieties of cottons by 
breeding and selection, the improvement of cultural methods, and such other lines 
of work, will be covered by the plans which will be prepared and executed under 
authority given in the bill. 
If the committee should reach the conclusion that the authority 
given in the bill is not broad enough, I am satisfied we will find some 
member here who is sufficiently adept in the use of the English lan- 
guage to make it broad enough to cover anything the Secretary might 
want to do along the line suggested by the chairman. . 
The Cuarrman. I have always found that a brief bill, giving the 
Secretary plenary powers in these matters, is most efficient in the end. 
Mr. Bowrr. The Secretary seems to think be would be the man to 
construe it, and he construes that it gives him all the power he wants. 
Mr. Havcen. What is the special object of this commission? You 
are creating a commission here. : 
Mr. Burweson. It is an advisory board, a board to give the Secre- 
tary the benefit of any suggestions that it might see fit to make. Asa 
matter of fact, if you look at the wording of the bill, authority and 
full power to act is finally lodged exclusively in the Secretary. 
Mr. Haucen. Then I see no reason for the condition. 
Mr. Burteson. That is a mere matter of detail. 
The CHatrman. Perhaps we have not yet reached the point where 
we ought to discuss that. 
Mr. Havcern. Perhaps not. 
Mr. Gattoway. I have completed the details, Mr. Chairman. If 
there are any other questions I shall be glad to answer them. 
Mr. Burueson. If the Chairman pleases, I should like for you to 
hear Doctor Howard this morning, because I know he has engagements 
which will prevent his attendance to-morrow. Then Colonel Field, 
another representative from Texas, who is a practical farmer on an 
extensive scale, would like to make a few suggestions to the com- 
mittee, and I should be glad if you would give him an opportunity to 
do so at the conclusion of Doctor Howard’s statement. 
The CHarrman. Certainly, we will do that. 
Mr. Gattoway. I have prepared some remarks which I submit. 
The paper referred to is as follows: 
A statement relative to H. R. 5496, entitled ‘‘A bill to lessen the damage caused by and 
control the spread of the cotton boll weevil and other insects and diseases injurious to 
cotton.” 
The honorable Secretary of Agriculture in his report to the President, just issued, 
page 88, has given the essential facts in reference to the necessities for work in the 
direction of improving agricultural conditions in the South, particularly with refer- 
ence to cotton production. We has pointed out that owing to the recent invasion of 
the cotton boll weevil a grave menace has been presented, involving not only ques- 
tions relative to cotton and cotton production, but other agricultural crops as well. 
It is unnecessary, therefore, to dwell on this phase of the subject in the light of the 
statements which have been made by the honorable Mr. Burgess, who introduced 
the bill and who is familiar with all of the important statistical matters pertaining 
to the subject. My object is especially to outline a plan of work which could be 
Sai - by — ap elt under ne given by such a bill as the one Mr. 
urgess has introduced, dwelling particularly on those subjects whi 
sa aneret the see te . the ee of Plant Industry. a reniniesyorlseprepstly 
efore taking up the lines of work themselves, I wish again to parti - 
size the fact that this subject is one which concerns the eatike oe ee 
more especially directly interested at the present time, it seems, from all the evidence 
at hand, that it will only be a question of time when the cotton-boll weevil will 
extend into other States, and that to meet this grave emergency immediate action 
