Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-20
INTERESTS FARMERS
Bill Proposed to Prohibit Imported
Infected Trees.
PROVISIONS OF PROPOSED MEASURE
Power is Given the Secretary of Asri-
culture to Quarantine Any Districts
Where Trees Are Diseased-$5o 900
Appropriated for the Work.

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Congressman Haugen has introduc.
ed bill into the house of particular
interest to farmers, horticulturists ant
IN fact every class handling fruit trees
or nursery stock. The bill provides
rules governing the importation OF
stock and establishes rules for inspec
ton.
Reconcile Factions.
Mr.. Haugen introduced a bill similar
In general import, at the last session
but opposition thereto developed in
the far west to sgsbsan extent that Mr.
Haugen did not dggm it expedient to
press the matter further at that time
Later the supporting and opposing
elements came to Washington. Mr.
Haugen got them together in a room
and told them that when they would
get together upon proposition touch
ing this question of Importance to
nearly every farmer, he would under
take the work of securing the passage
lof the bill The discordant elements
finally agreed upon bill very similar
to that originally offered. AS the new
bill was being pushed there developed
opposition in another quarter and the
matter was dropped.
1t appears that the disagreeing ele.
ments have finally reached common
ground and the conclusions are repre-.
scented in the new bill of Mr.. Haugen.
Prevent Importation Of Infected Stock
The desire of the advocates of the
Dill is to prevent the importation O
nursery stock that may be infected
with germs or insects. A farmer may
have spent years and large sums OF
money In building up a fine orchard
He buys few imported trees, places
them in his orchard. and the mex
year finds new insect that is destroy
ing the entire orchard AS a result
his labors of years are undone in one
season through lack of proper inspec
ton at the time the trees were permit
ted to enter American ports.
Provisions of Bill.
Mr.. Haugen's bill provides that be
ginning with July l, 1902, it shall be
unlawful for any transportation com
pany to receive for entry at any port
in the United States any nursery
stock unless accompanied by certifi
cate of inspection by qualified ex
pert of the country from which the
expectation was made, officially ap
pointed by the government thereof
certifying that theEcontents OF the
package have been carefully ,examin
ted and found apparently free from
disease. insects, etc.
Quarantine Infected Districts.
In case stock is offered without such
certificate the secretary of agriculture
may have same inspected at expense
of consignor. AT his discretion the
secretary of agriculture may also
have stock re-inspected. The secre
tary shall have authority to qnaran-
tine any district in which it shall ap-
pear that infection exists. against
shipment of stock. The secretary
may appoint in each state and the ter
ritory qualified experts having author
ity to examine all stock about to be
shipped from one state to another, is
suing certificates.
1t is suggested that the secretary
shall fix dates for such examination
between June and September When
certificate, shall be granted this shall
release stock for shipment.
The same regulations that apply to
transportation companies shall also be
applicable to the postal system eX-
cept for scientific purposes, by per.
mission of the secretary.
Fifty thousand dollars is appropriate
ed for the carrying into effect of the
provisions of the act. The provisions
OF the act. however, shall not apply in
interstate commerce to florists stock,
bulbs, plants etc.
May Go Through.
AS the matter now stands Congress
man Haugen is sanguine that there
will not be serious opposition to the
bill. The subject has been so thor
oughly agitated throughout the coun.
try and opportunity given for sugges-
lions relative to alterations in the bill,
that it is not thought any considerable
number of Influential parties VIII be
disposed to oppose the measure.
New Rural Mail Delivery.
Now that rural mail route carriers
are to be placed in the classified list, a
new ruling has been made by the de.
partment, in accordance Herewith,
and some annoyance to senators and
congressman and the department will
be avoided if people in sections desir.
ing the establishment of routes will
conform to the new rule. The new
regulations are substantially as fol-
lows: Formerly when new routes
were contemplated application was
first made to the local postmaster, who
forwarded the application to the au-
thorities in Washington. Now the APP
plication must be made direct to the
first assistant postmaster general,
who will forward the petitioner print
ed blanks for use of the prospective
petitioners. The department will re.
quire rough draft of the proposed
route with the outlying districts also
shown. 1t is required that route be
laid out, having good bridges and pas
sable roads at all seasons of the year.
The petitioners must also agree to
conform to official regulations govern
ing the service and erect posts and
boxes for reception of mail.
The postoffice department and the
civil service commission have arrang-
ed to work together in this matter and
the question of driver for route is de.
termined by examination, according