The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-08
TO PROTECT State CATTLE
Features Of New Legislation Proposed
by Board Of Agriculture.
DIR. BRIDGES SHAKY POSITION
lie May Lose 1t in Consequence or HIS
Activity in Trying to Prevent the
Spread Of tuberculosis and
Other Diseases.
speclal to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Harrisburg. Pa, Jan. THE agita-
ton started by the state board of agri-
culture for the enactment of law to
prevent the spread of tuberculosis and
other dangerous diseases among cattle
and other domestic animals of the state
may cost an official of the board, DR..
+. Bridge, of Philadelphia, state veteri-
marian surgeon, his position. There
seems to be a general sentiment in
Pennsylvania in favor of the passage
of such law, but those interested In
the movement have not been able to
agree on a measure, and the result Will
be the introduction in the legislature
of several bills providing various
means for eradicating this disease.
One of these will be presented by re-
quest of the State Veterinary Medical
asocia tion, and should it become law
in its present form it will retire DR..
Bridge from office. The bill creates
state live stock sanitary commission
to consist of five commissioners, to be
appointed by the governor, and IN
cludes the secretary of the state board
of agriculture, the secretary of the
state board of health, practical
breeder of live stock, and two COM
petent and well-qualified veterinarians
who are members in good standing of
some recognized and reputable veterin-
ary college. Each commissioner Is to
be appointed for four years, his salary
to be fixed by the governor once year.
Would Retire DR.. Bridge.
DR.. Bridge is not eligible to serve on
this commission never having gradu-
ated from regular college, although
he has been practicing veterinarian
surgeon for forty years. His friends
in the state board of agriculture claim
the bill of the Veterinary Medical asso-
citation was drafted solely for the pur-
pose of deposing him. and they will
make an aggressive fight against its
passage. The bill gives the proposed
commission power to establish proper
quarantine regulations regarding dis
eased cattle, to order cattle suffering
from tuberculosis or other infectious
diseases to be killed, the value of the
animals to be fixed by appraisement,
and the right to visit and inspect all
farms or stables where cattle are kept.
The state board of agriculture has
formulated measure to prevent the
spread of tuberculosis which mas been
approved by Governor Pattison and
other state authorities, the state grange,
Farmers alliance and kindred organ
izations. The measure has already been
introduced in the senate last Tuesday
by Senator Critchield, of Somerset, who
has been endorsed by the agricultural
classes for chairman of the senate agTi-
cultural committee. The bill gives the
governor and secretary of the state
board of agriculture power to place
animals, herds, and premises in quanan-
tine, to prescribe the rules regulating
such quarantine, to employ assistants,
regulate their compensation and pro-
vide for the movement of animals and
articles likely to convey the contagion.
Further Provisions of the Bill.
The governor and secretary of the
board may order and conduct such eX-
aminations into the the condition Of
live stock in relation to tuberculosis, in
cluding the milk supplies of municipali-
ties, and take measures to protect such
milk supplies from contamination by
this disease. Violation of the rules of
quarantine or interfering with officers
appointed under the proposed act is
made misdemeanOr punishable by a
fine not exceeding 800 or by imprison-
ment not exceeding one month, or both.
Animals may be condemned and killed,
the owner to be paid not more than SIS
for any infected animal of grade or
common stock and not more than $50
for registered stock. When an agree
ment can not be made with the owner
of infected animals as ito their value
three appraisers are to be appointed to
appraise their value.
The National Dairymens' Protective
association has prepared an act similar
to that of the state board of agriculture,
except that 1t provides for a commits
sion of seven, of which the governor
and secretary of the state board Of agri-
culture shall be members, to enforce its
provisions. The members of the com
mission are TO serve without pay, but
their actual expenses will be paid by
the state. This measure has been en-
dorsed by the health authorities of the
city of Philadelphia.