The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-01-07
tuberculosis.

dalrymen, and numerous and extended
hearings were had before the commit
tee on agriculture. The discussions be-
fore the committee were very interest
ing and highly educational upon a sub
ject heretofore but little thought of in
this state. Under the law the commits
sioners began their work examining
and killing the cattle which they found,
by the tuberculfn test, to be diseased,
and with these results:
Whole number cattle, exam
lned .................,.,. o,5f5
Number killed ............. 1,2S7
Amount paid by state for cat
tie ....................... S32, 745. 90
Amount paid to commissioners
and veterinary surgeons. .....$14, 500
Total expenses paid by state,
including commissioners and
veterinary charges. .......$ SAT 800. 90
The wisdom of the law referred to is
questioned by some of our citizens, and
supposed benefits derived from its eX-
ecution regarded as doubtful, while
others believe in the dangerous preva-
lence of the disease and the necessity
of energetic and speedy action for it's
eradication along the lines already be-
gun. The law, in any event, will
doubtless in some particulars require
amendment, and perhaps radical
changes. I will venture to suggest
that the law be so amended that the
comptroller shall approve the bills of
the commissioners. In placing before
you some of the facts and figures per-
tanning to this subject I confidently
leave the matter to your wisdom sug
costing that you have in mind in your
action the financial question involved,
as we'll as the possible results to the
public health. If the law remains as IL
was enacted and the commissioners
continue to execute the law as they
have done in the line of their duty,
then the expense to the state will, dur
ing the coming two years, be very
large, in paying full prices for diseased
cattle. also recommend, for the pur-
poses of economy and efficiency, that
the commission shall be composed of
only one commissioner.
Dairy Commission.
The dairy interests of the state have
increased greatly in recent years.
There are sixty creameries in the state
in operation, and the Introduction of
the system has greatly developed the
dairy industry, by putting upon the
market butter of such excellent quality
that the poorer grades cannot longer
find a market, except at very low and
unremunerative prices.
The most important duty of the office
of dairy commissioner is to enforce the
law relating to the sale of imitation
butter. The sale of oleomargarine at
present is very limited, and only in &C
cordance with law. The report of the
commissioner congratulates producers
and consumers of pure food that the
laws have accomplished good results.
Improved Roads.
The last general assembly passed an
act to provide for the improvement of
public roads. The law apportioned the
expense incurred in the construction of
the improved roads-one-third to be
paid by the state, one-third by the
county in which was located the town
having road improvement, and the re-
manning one third to be paid by the
town. The law limited the amount to
be taken from the treasury to $4,000
annually.
In 1895 eighty towns applied for aid
under the law, and in 1896 eighty-siX
towns took advantage of the law for
building better roads.
The state has paid, or to pay. $146,S 6G
Counties have paid, or to pay. 1866
Towns have paid. 5l5,2IS
In 1866, So miles of improved
roads cost per mile. Sc, 0C
In 1896, AZ miles of improved
road cost per mile. ............ 5,348. sc
The state has paid the commits
sioners for services and eX-
penses, including clerk hire. II ,612. OC
If the state, by action of this general
assembly, decides to continue the max
ing of good roads under the present
law, 1 recommend that the law be so
amended that the poorer and sparsely
settled towns, which are struggling I'M
der as heavy taxation as they can bear,
and cannot take advantage of the law
to obtain any improved roads, shall be
exempted from at least their share of a
county road tax imposed mainly for
the benefit of richer towns.
also recommend some restrictive
legislation that will render the admin
istration of the law less expensive to
the state. The state has taken a con-
siderable Step forward in the work OF
good roads, and with the experience
gained 1 suggest in the line of economy
that the commission shall consist of
but one commissioner, and that the
commissioner be an experienced and
practical engineer, and that the select
men of the towns have more of the
charge and oversight of making i'm
ii-oved public roads, advised and di-
i ted by the state commissioner.
Street Railways.
T venty-seven street railway compa-
mics reported to the railroad commits
siorers, but two of the companies had
not commenced business.
Capital stock .................. 1921, 740
Funded debt NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. $3.50, 100
Floating debt ............... SAG, 255
Total liabilities ....-,...... SIS 76I 095