Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-06-07
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The tuberculosis Schen1ers.

The present term Of the Iowa legis-
lature will probably witness an effort
to gain large appropriation for the
use of the experts" who desire to
make "a good thing" out of the al
legged existence of tuberculosis in the
cattle herds of the state. Tuberculosis
is a deadly disease, and should be ex-
terminated, but should be extermi-
mated at the expense of the state, in
stead of at the loss of the owners of the
cattle. Here is letter from respon- 9
s1ble farmer which clearly and fearless
sly states the views of nearly all of the
cattle growers of the state:
Editors Usage Press: Some time
during the first of October, 1899. I
suspected that few of my COWS, on
my farm in St. Ansgar township.
Mitchell county, Iowa. were afflicted
with that dreaded disease, tuberculos.
is: After consultation with friend
VINO was somewhat acquainted with
this disease ! was fully satisfied that
my suspicious were well grounded. |
acted Immediately according to law
by notifying the county board Of
supervisors. One of their number at
once notified the state veterinary. He
answered that he would come up and
investigate the case. This was about
the last of October. On account of
other calls and sickness in his family
ne did not get here until the latter
part of November. He brought with
him local veterinarian from Charles
City. They together made, what they
termed, an examination Of my herd.
condemned and tagged seveteen of my
best cows as being afflicted with this
| dreaded disease. Advised me to ship
them to Cedar Rapids. l was not
satisfied with their examination, for
did not believe there were so MANY
afflicted. l was determined to accom-
pany the COWS to their destination and
witness their determination. I learned
later that could do as well by ship
ping to Sioux City. They were ship
ped to Sioux City, there slaughtered
and carefully inspected after death by
three United States veterinarians, and
In my presence only too out of the
seventeen were condemned. Have I
a right to complain? Fifteen of my
best cows, worth to me over $500,
should be thus condemned and slain
through the ignorance of man whom
the great state of Iowa has tagged
state veterinarian. The question with
me is to whom shall 1 look for this
great loss, this man, or the state of
Iowa that employed him? l under
stand there is movement on foot,
concocted by the state veterinarian to
try to influence the legislature this
coming. winter to pass law and vote
ten thousand dollar appropriation
to grease it with, that will invest the
state veterinarian with power to enter
into any mans herd and destroy any
animals that he may think are at1iict-
ed with this disease, regardless of the
wish or consent of the owner. Should
this become law, and the same Off
GERS should hold the office, pray
| that the good Lord will keep him in
the southern part of the state until I
am out of the cattle business.
JOHN RODGERS.
Surely the state of Iowa should be
responsible for Mr.. Rodgers loss and
expenses on the fifteen COWS that we're
not condemned by the United States
veterinarians, and we believe that the
state should be responsible for all cat
tile ordered killed by state officials.
The farmers of the state are vitality
interested in this matter, and should
promptly proceed to state their views.
Mr. Rogers letter speaks very plainly,
but if he states the matter truthfully,
and we think he does, be presents
proof that the tuberculosis scheme lis
only similar to that attempted a, few
years ago in Iowa, and similar to the
schemes operated in other states until
the states accepted responsibility by
making appropriations to pay for the
cattle killed. The farmers are not re-
sponsible for tuberculosis; if the dis
ease can be exterminated the cattle
should be killed, but the state should
pay for the cattle, if the cattle are
killed on the order of a state official.
Iowa State Register, Jan. -, 1900.