Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-02-29
unureau of AnimaI In,Iustrv.,

a Dill has been introduced into Congress
for the establishment of bureau of Ami
NAL Industry, to prevent the expectation of
diseased cattle and to provide means for the
suppression and extirpation of plouro-pneu-
monia and other contagious diseases among
domestic animals" 1t is uncertain to what
oztent contagious diseases prevail among the
domestic animals of this country. The un.
certainty arises from n class of hungry veteri
nary doctors having an interest in magnify
ing the facts. Though we might believe from
what they cause to be published that the
country is in imminent danger of q frightful
cattle plague, it is probable there has never
been timo when cattle were more nearly ex
ompt from disensa than ut present. Yet pleu
ro-pueumonia no doubt exists and other con
tagious diseases prevail among cattle to som"
extent, ms they always have. 1t ia well to
take measures to suppress such diseases as al
ready prevail within the country, and to pre-.
vent the Introduction of contagion from for
oign sources. The prevention of the spread
of any disease of dangerous character among
cattle might save individuals from preat loss,
and the country millions Of dollars The bill
for this purpose, introduced by Mr. Hatch
Chairman of the House committee on Agri-
culture, has, therefore something in it Of
possible benefit to stock raisers aud to the
whole country.
1t directs the Commissioner of Agriculture
to organize the bureau, appointing as its chief
a competent veterinary surgeon at a salary of
$1,000 a year and clerk at an annual salary
of $500 Moreover, he is to appoint two
competent agents whose duty it shall be to
report upon the best methods of treating
transporting and caring for animals, and the
means to be adopted for the suppression and
extirpation of contagious pleuro- pneumonia
and to provide against tine spread of other
contagious diseases. These are to be paid
$40 day and "all necessary expenses" while
engaged in tho actual performance of their
duties under this act
The commissioner is to prepare regulations
for the speedy aud effectual extirpation of
contagious diseases among live stock and to
communicate these to the executive authority
of each state and territory, and invite these
authorities to cooperate in the enforcement
of the act Whenever any state or territory
In which any communicable disease prevails
consents to cooperate with the general gov
eminent in its suppression, the commissioner
is authorized to expend as much money as
may be needed to make necessary investiga-
tions, pay for infected animals to be slaugb-
tered, and for the disinfection OF contaminat-
cd buildings, etc, provided the state or ter
rtory shall pay half the cost. Whenever any
infected state or territory refuses cooperation,
then the President is authorized to quaran
tine the whole or any part of it, and to regu-
late or prohibit the transportation of cattle
out Of such state, territory or district. To
prevent the expectation of diseased stock,
special investigation is to be made along the
Canadian border and the lines of transporta-
ton from all parts of the United States to
ports from which live stock are exported
the results are to be communicated to the
Secretary of the Treasury, who is authorized
to establish such regulations as he may deem
necessary TO prevent the expectation of ds-
eascd animals. AL transportation of infested
animals from one state or territory to another
Is strictly prohibited, and all the officials or
agents of railroad, steamboat lines, etc, who
violate this provision after notification by
letter or advertisement by the Commissioner
of Agriculture, shall be liable to a fine of not
less than 800 or moro than $4,000 or to i'm
prisonment for not moro than one year, or
both, and it is made the duty of all United
States district attorneys to prosecute all vic.
latlons of the act. To carry into effect the
provisions of this act the sum of $3.50, 900 is
appropriated, to be expended mostly in pay
ing for slaughtered animals and disinfecting
contaminated premises
The bill gives Commissioner Loring an op-
portunity to provide quite handsomely for
several more friends-a veterinary surgeon
at salary of $4,000 year, agents at $40
day and expenses, etc. To the comprehen-
sion of many intelligent farmers who get for
labor on their own farms less than a dollar q
day and expenses ten dollars a day with ex-
penses paid seems rather large yet the en-
tire cost of the official service which this bill
provides for ia nothing compar ed to the sums
that are paid to retired army officers and for
nero sinecures, The salaries of the veteri-
marian, clerk and agents altogether will cost
the government less than an average wake al
the burial of a congressman.