The Dickinson press., 1904-01-23
Secretary Wilson Will Take d
Hand in the Eradication
of Cattle SCdb.
Prompt action Token at Dickinson. Stro ng
Petition Sent Gov. White thursday Night
Asking Him to Enlist federal Aid
to Stamp Out Cattle Scab.

VOSIGsVu oVuS WV ssl suSt oOOy 'Ns8NS
Asking Him to Enlist federal Aid
to Stamp Out Cattle Scab.
On Thursday Gov. White was petition
ed to ask federal aid in stamping out
cattle scab which exists not only west
Of the Missouri river but in many coun-
ties east Of the;river as we'll. The petition
was signed by Mayor Manning, Secre-
tarv Richards, Senator Simpson, Messrs.
Phelan, Arnett, Jefferies, Frye and many
other prominent people.
The petition in substance is as follows:
believing that the federal govern
ment could be induced to take in hand
the ailment OF cattle scab now prevalent,
at federal expense, and effect a thorough
| cure, we request that you, Gov. White,
| do take immediate action in securing for
the state such aid; further, that in the
meantime it is advisable to let the local
inspectors recently appointed by you
remain in the field tor temporary work."
Recently congress passed a Measure
appropriating 100000 for work by the
department of agriculture. One-half Of
this amount is applied to the destruction
of the boil weevil which %is..ravaging the
cotton fields Of the south. The other
half Of this sum is to be devoted to the
quarantine and treatment of cattle af1ict-
ed with contagious diseases.
A correspondent of The Forum, with
some other gentlemen called on Secre-
tary Wilson this week to discuss the cat
tie scab situation in North Dakota.
The secretary announced that he had
received frequent complaints and re-
ports of the conditions west of the Mis-
souri, and announced that the department
has ample funds to fight the disease, and
was equipped with competent men.
The secretary announced also that if
Governor White of North Dakota would
ask the aid of the department that within
twenty days twenty to forty experts
would be sent to the state. They will
investigate the conditions and locate the
most infected districts.
The entire work and the expense of
the tanks and treatment will be under
taken by the government. The state
will not expend a cent, unless certain
cattlemen become refractory and show
a disposition to violate prescribed
quarantine rules in which case the state
will be asked to furnish such force as
will be necessary to compel a compli-
ance with the regulations Of the officials.
There is M thing that Secretary Will
son will positively insist upon-that all
the work be done by men under his de
partment. He will not permit the exc.
cution of his plans to be carried out by
local men. In the first place favoritism
is always shown, and in the second
stockmen are less likely to be governed
by the requests Of local officials than by
those from Washington.
The secretary indicates that by prompt
action now the cattle of North Dakota
can be treated this spring, and then
again by July or August and that by the
time the shipping season begins the state
will have a clear bill of health and the
animals will be in the best possible con-
dition.
If the government takes the matter up
all cars will be under official supervision
and will have to be treated after each
shipment.
There is only one possible objection to
the government taking the matter up. A
few cattlemen in the state may think it
will give The business a black eye. This,
however, is a false view. The men in all
eastern markets already know of the
prevalence of the scab.
January 22-Special to PREss-Gov.
White will comply with request of stock
men.