HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 427 
cooperation of the experiment stations with the Department of 
Agriculture here. The sense of the committee last year was that 
since these were Federal funds that went to the experiment stations, 
they were in effect appropriations for the national work done by the 
Department of Agriculture; and they were very insistent that these 
ae to the different experiment stations should be under 
the supervision of the Department of Agriculture and under the 
ge eller therefore, of the Secretary of Agriculture. 
secretary Witson. We are gradually reaching out our authority 
further and further every year along those lines. ; 
Mi. Grarr. It seems to me they ought to be sensible enough to see 
that that 1s the theory upon which they get. this money. | 
Secretary Wirson. The primal theory under which they get this 
money, In their mind, is that it is given to the States. 
Mr. Grarr. That is not the way the committee regard it. 
Secretary Wiison. I am aware what the mind of the committee is, 
and have been gradually -extending our authority along those lines. 
That is, we are getting cooperation more and more from those people, 
and they are listening more and more to our suggestions and the 
arrangement of the disposition of the moneys that they get to handle. 
Mr. Grarr. The minute it would become generally understood that 
these State experiment stations consider themselves independent of 
the Department of Agriculture, that minute there would arise a move 
to discontinue these appropriations, on the theory that we have no par- 
ticular right to contribute money to State institutions. 
Secretary Witson. That is precisely the theory they have—that the 
money has been given to them. 
Mr. Grarr. If they do not look out they will succeed in depriving 
themselves of this aid. 
The CHarrman. Most of the committee, I think, are familiar with 
section 3, chapter 314, of the laws of 1887, under which this money 
was given to the experiment stations, and to show the intent and pur- 
pose of Congress in giving this aid to the experiment stations, let 
me read the language: 
That in order to secure, as far as practicable, uniformity of methods and results in 
the work of said stations, it shall be the duty of the United States Commissioner of 
Agriculture to furnish forms, as far as practicable, for the tabulation of results of 
investigation of experiments. 
Now mark this language: 
to indicate, from time to time, such lines of inquiry as to him shall seem important; 
and, in general, to furnish such advice and assistance as will best promote the pur- 
poses of this act. 
There could not be anything plainer. The Secretary has absolute 
power to indicate from time to time such lines of inquiry as to him 
shall seem most important. ; on 
Mr. Grarr. I think it is a good thing that this should go into the 
record, so that these stations may know. ; ; ; 
Mr. Henry. Has not Doctor True been devoting his efforts in that 
direction? ; on 
Secretary Witson. We are working along that direction gradually. 
They had the idea that the money went to them as States? — 
The Cuarrman. And they could do as they pleased with it? 
Secretary Wiison. That they could take up such experimentation as 
they pleased. That has been their idea. 
