284 HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURF. 
Mr. Merriam. We come in contact. with several classes of people 
in the field, as we do here in Washington. Occasionally we come 
in contact with other classes, for instance, when we are investigating 
the prairie-dog scourge. When we are in contact with the leading 
horticulturists and agriculturists in different parts of the country, 
they often express surprise at the difference in rank between our work 
and other work in the branches of the Department with which they are 
familiar. 
Mr. Scorr. In what way is that difference in rank made manifest? 
Mr. Merriam. Simply, the question is often asked us, how itis that 
we are not a bureau; that we are a division and have not the same 
rank as other work which was formerly coordinate with ours. 
Mr. Grarr. Is not the chief difficulty in this case that it is a little 
embarrassing for you to present this subject yourself? 
Mr. Mrrrtam. I do not think it is embarrassing, but it is a difficult 
thing; it is one of those things that you can feel more easily than you 
can express in words. 
Mr. Scorr. You understand, of course, I am asking these questions 
for the purpose of eliciting information, not to imply any criticism 
whatever. The advance of this work from a division organization to 
a bureau organization involves a considerable expense, and I think the 
committee would like to know—I certainly would like to know—as 
clearly as you can state it, exactly how much work or better work the 
Government would get by reason of this advanced organization, and 
why? That is the purport of all my questions. 
Mr. Bowts. It is now a division? 
Mr. Merriam. Yes. All but two of the divisions of the Depart- 
ment have been raised to bureau rank. The Division of Entomology 
and the Division of Biological Survey are the only two which have 
remained at the old grade. 
The Cuarrman. Was “Statistics” made a bureau last year? 
Mr. Merriam. Yes, sir. ! 
The Cuarrman. It never should have been. 
Mr. Bowir. Is it not the real fact that the people in your division 
rather feel it is discrimination against them that ought to be corrected? 
Mr. Merriam. Certainly; we all feel that; there is no question 
about that. 
Mr. Grarr. What additional expense is involved? 
Mr. Merri m. $1,400, or a little over. 
Mr. Grarr. How would it increase your salary ? 
Mr. Merriam. From $2,750 to $3,500 if the salaries’ recommenda- 
tion is carried out. 
Mr. Grarr. Where will the balance of the $1,400 be? 
Mr. Merriam. In the first assistant, who has always been held down 
to $1,800. It has been very embarrassing, as we have had assistants 
at $2,400 and $2,500—asristants paid about $2,500, which was my sal- 
ary. The assistant chief is acting while I am in the field, which is 
ae every year. A large part of my time is always spent in field 
work. 
Mr. Bowrs. Is that a good man? 
Mr. Merriam. An excellent man. 
Mr. Bowir. And entitled to an increase of $700 a year ?¢ 
Mr. Merriam. I think he ought to have had $2,500 years ago. It 
was a shame to keep a man of his grade and ability at so low a salary. 
