MISCELLANY
Some Recollections and Comments Relating to the Evolution of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
The recollections and comments have been set down from time to time without regard to consecutive dates or time periods. They are a glimpses of work and workers connected with the evolution of a branch of the Federal Government with which I have been associated for nearly 50 years. – B. T. Galloway.
EARLY
BUILDING
OPERATIONSIt came about that the present East and West Wings of the main Administration building of the Department of Agriculture were the first structures authorized after the appointment of a Park Commission. This body came into existence in 1901 in accordance with a resolution sponsored by the late Senator McMillan. The Park Commission submitted a voluminous report on a plan for the improvement of the entire park system of the District of Columbia. The Park Commission consisted of Daniel H. Burnhan of Chicago, Frederick L. Olmstead of Brookline Massachusetts, and Charles F. McKim of the architectural firm McKim Mead and White, New York.
The Department buildings were authorized in February, 1903, and Secretary Wilson asked me to serve as chairman of a committee to look after all matters relating to the location and construction of the building and buildings. The other members of the committee were Dr. D. E. Salmon, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, and Dr. A. C. True, Chief of the Office of Experiment Stations. The full records of the of this committee will be found in offi-
