The record-union., 1898-12-29
INTERSTATE QUARANTINE.
1T DOES NOT AFFECT STOCKS
MOVEMENTS IN THE STATE.
Interesting Figures Concerning
Our Cattle Supply and Amounts
Shipped.
Concerning

In an interview with Dr. Charles H.
Blemer, United States Inspector in
charge of the cattle transportation in
this State, with reference to the action
of the United States Department Of
Agriculture in placing this State below
the quarantine line, DR.. Blemer stated
that it was necessary for the depart
ment to take such action, as a quaran-
tine line established by Federal au-
thorities can only apply to interstate
traffic; that the movement of stock
within a State must be controlled by
| State laws.
Have other States taken such legis-
lative action2" was asked.
Yes. Supplementary quarantine
regulations modifying the quarantine
line for Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee,
Virginia and North Carolina have been
issued by the department accepting sat-
isfactory lines where legislation had
been enacted for its maintenance" was
the answer.
But has not California live stock
quarantine laws?"
Yes. The Act of March 49, 1899.
chapter 252 is rather extensive, but
0OC5 AlOb AAA S~AAy A1AeAdAAAOA ~OHOA NAA~
ground; inadequate laws have been the
cause of the dissemination of splenetic
| (Texas) fever within this State this
year. Still that is hardly correct either,
for there is a State law which, had it
| been rigidly enforced, would have been
sufficient to restrict the movement Of
southern tick-infested cattle from NOV
ing north That is the Act of March
%, 1898, chapter 219, page 3O2, which
makes it a misdemeanor for a person
or persons, company or corporation, to
move any animals affected with any
conta gious or infectious diseases; but
this law is not sufficient to cope with
splenetic fever"
What has been the extent of Texas
or splenetic fever in the State this
year?"
TT is impossible to state the loss in
figures, but almost every county has
suffered from it more or less. Solano
County probably has suffered more Sc
verely than any other; reports of re-
sponsible citizens estimate the loss at
1,5O0 cattle''
"Can splenetic or Texas fever be
transmitted in any other manner than
by the tick?'
TN natural outbreaks, no. At least,
the department and investigators have
been unable to find another transmittor
of the micro organism
'Wfll there be a reoccurrence of the
disease next year among the cattle in
the counties infected this year?"
I'm those counties with an altitude of
1000 feet or more the cold will kill
the ticks, but in low counties like So
lano, where it does not get very cold
it is my opinion that the Infection will
live over and the disease show next
year. but in mild form.''
DO you expect the coming Legisla-
ture to take any action on quarantine
matters?"
Yes; for it is my opinion that the
stockmen will make a supreme effort
to have them do So"
''How many California cattle were
granted permits for interstate traffic
by your department. this year?"
''Thirty-seven thousand eight hun
dred and thirty-two, but quite a num-
ber Of these, destined to Nevada, will
return in 49,"
What do you think of the outlook
for California cattlemen?''
II IS good, provided the rains come
to bring feed. California never raised
over 60 per cent. of her own beef. Sta
tistics on cattle taken In the early part
of this year compared with those of
1896, show you to be short 73, PAL cattle.
which, with the number inspected for
interstate traffic, runs it up to Ill ,073.
The rise in cattle in the East has made
a market for Arizona, Nevada, and
even Oregon, stock, and many Of them
have gone East, which draws on your
source of supply. Many Of your larg-
est cattlemen realize this and have been
increasing their herds ait the risk of
losing them from starvation"