E D I T O 
THE GOVERNMENTS T^\ URING the election fever one 
PERSONAL SERVICE ^ more and more con¬ 
vinced of the corruption of govern¬ 
ment officials, of legislative and executive malpractices, of the 
imminent dissolution of the nation. One is in a perpetual state 
of inflammation with millenium visions occasionally present. 
The condition generally adjusts itself by the middle of Novem¬ 
ber, the symptoms entirely disappear, and what was a week 
before a rotten government becomes “not so bad.” 
It is a pity that the glorious exhilaration cannot last, that when 
the pipes stop playing the parade halts. If in the routine days 
between campaigns we considered what was being accomplished 
perhaps we would have less panic, perhaps one could think out 
a course of policy without breaking into a perspiration. At any 
rate most of the agitation comes from second hand. We are as 
ignorant of the service accomplished by the government as we 
are of its “malpractices and conspiracy.” We can learn all about 
the evils from any cart tail in November, but who talks about the 
service that certain departments give us whatever party rules? 
It may give us some relief to stop to consider what good organiza¬ 
tions we have to fall back on; we can then decide which candi¬ 
date is least unscrupulous and villainous and assume his cause. 
For the most part we are all ignorant of the personal service 
of the Agricultural Department. Most people think of it as a 
great arm of politics that busies itself with sending out unintel¬ 
ligible reports on the crop situation, merely for the benefit of 
stock brokers and produce jobbers. But even this misunderstood 
activity is merely one small branch of countless labors. There 
are quantities of valuable statistics that reach the agriculturist 
that are vital to him. Vigorous endeavors are made to uplift 
rural communities. The farmer is advised, for instance, of latest 
methods of cultivation and how to apply them. Such subjects as 
dry farming and drainage are popularized and made possible of 
adoption. The tiller of the soil is educated in theory and prac¬ 
tice, told how to attack local conditions and advised of improve¬ 
ments and new crops of advantage to him. There are, however, 
occasions where the department steps right to the aid of indi¬ 
viduals. In the case of insects, pests, or extraordinary plant 
diseases the department will diagnose the trouble and lend prac¬ 
tical assistance. Trained men study the peculiar problem and 
make microscopic analysis. If there still remains a mystery, a 
specialist is sent to the spot to investigate conditions and treat¬ 
ment recommended, and if any one discovers an unknown and 
irremedial disease, an expert is sent on a special pilgrimage to 
Europe to discover a friendly parasite to combat the cause of 
trouble. Due to these works the predative moths of New Eng¬ 
land have been checked, the destructive fruit tree thrips overcome, 
and spraying and fumigation against scale made a simple and a 
cheaper operation. 
The good work penetrates even into the home. In the same 
manner that agriculture is assisted, so is the home improved, and 
valuable information is supplied on such subjects as cooking and 
wholesome diets. 
Another thing that might interest the home owner is the divi¬ 
sion that is experimenting with roads and road-making. The 
statement of the improved road mileage in the United States 
perhaps irritates rather than soothes the man who finds himself 
in a region destitute of proper highway facilities. But does he 
know that the department would analyze his roads, and recom¬ 
mend the best treatment and method of construction ? Engineers 
are ready, even to the extent of a personal visit, if necessary, to 
give instruction that can enable anyone to build satisfactory 
driveways. Through laboratory experimentation there has been 
evolved an oil cement concrete for roadways that is of easy main¬ 
tenance, and good service, for it is waterproof under low pres¬ 
sure. The co-operation extended to individuals and town boards 
is surely of great value. 
With equal ability the department extends its service in a mul¬ 
titude of diverse fields. Our bird and animal allies and their 
enemies, alone, have been given considerable expert attention, and 
there is already an interesting pamphlet library available for dis¬ 
tribution. This is scientific, carefully organized work that goes 
on quietly for the benefit of every one, and is available to all. 
Its general value in increased prosperity is enormous, but its 
great appeal is that it is a personal service to all. It continues, 
notwithstanding political rant. 
UTILITY STYLES 
I 
N the days when the royal court estab¬ 
lished the taste for art and decora¬ 
tion the styles originated. They were, 
in a way, characteristic of the time, and the expression of the in¬ 
clinations and taste requirements of the people, or better, a certain 
class of people. All the period styles were chronologically prior 
to the nineteenth century, but we reproduce them to-day. We do 
not think our changed costume, customs and requirements neces¬ 
sarily out of order with these decorations, though perhaps the 
satins and velvets, the light conversation and easy grace of Louis 
the Fourteenth’s time were more fitting and harmonious with 
them. But we have assumed these styles to typify the formalities 
of our present life. Their intrinsic beauty is excuse enough be¬ 
yond this for their reproduction, provided they appear only in the 
proper environment. We then have conventionalized a style of 
furniture and decoration for present situations and demands. 
What with the fugitive decrees of fashion working during 
these intervening years, much of architecture and decoration has 
been under the influence of public opinion. Stevenson some¬ 
where defined this public opinion as a “mongrel of affectation 
out of dogmatism.” That may have accounted for the monstrosi¬ 
ties of the so-called Mid-Victorian era. At any rate the nine¬ 
teenth century left us many peculiar half breed styles of furniture 
and many hybrid forms of decoration. Mirrors were always 
set in over mantels, peculiar grilles were always in evidence, we 
had the parlor, we insisted on a different color for each room. 
There were many other affectations and dogmas left us beside 
their by-products. Of late years there has been a general strug¬ 
gle for freedom. Much that is excellent has been accomplished 
because we have begun to consider utilities — this fashion over¬ 
looks in relation to art. 
In another part of this magazine we have printed an account 
of a house which shows a complete casting aside of the shackles 
of an importunate conventionality. The owner was sure of his 
desires, his personal requirements. In a general way he could 
state clearly and forcefully what furniture and furnishings gave 
him satisfaction. It was the architect’s business to combine art 
and utility to give him what he wanted, and the result is an ex¬ 
cellent one. There is no period style decoration, but that is be¬ 
cause the owner had no period style tendencies. There is no 
rainbow sequence of rooms; that is because the owner decided 
on a certain combination of tones which he was pleased to have 
in slight variation throughout the living-rooms. The house is 
planned and decorated and furnished to provide the utmost com¬ 
fort and convenience of the inmates. In this the house typifies 
the modern trend. Many architects are accomplishing work of 
this sort and there should be comfort for those who decry the 
absence of an American architecture. Whether any style ever 
becomes known as American or not is immaterial. It will never 
be realized in the lifetime of its producers, at any rate. But if 
architects interpret the demands of present day life in a manner 
artistic and satisfying, even if foreign or ancient precedent may 
be traced, the work will be well and finely done. 
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