The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-11-18
HARRISBURG LETTER.

feareOn, state veterinarian, ana the
State Live Stock Sanitary Board, are
somewhat disturbed over the appear
ance of the much dreaded foot and
mouth disease in Pennsylvania. Word
was received by DIR. Pearson on Nov. 7th
of the appearance of this pest among a
herd near Danville, and that same even
ing he was on the ground taking steps
TO cheek any spread of the plague. AS
an example of how rapidly it spreads,
the Doctor told the writer that a case,
unknown and unsupported, was allowed
to mingle with herd on Saturday. By
Monday the whole herd had the disease
and had to be killed. Federal and State
quarantine has been declared for the
counties of Columbia, Montour, North
umberland and Union, and will be rig
idly enforced.
The grave danger in this outbreak of
aphthOus fever, as it is technically called,
may be appreciated when we note that
the shipments of live cattle from this
country to England alone average 1000
head day, and that England imports
cattle from this country and Canada only,
in the belief that this disease rarely or
never gets a foothold here. Another
English law provides that all imported
cattle shall be slaughtered on the docks
within ten days after landing. The foot
and mouth disease is confined t. cattle,
sheep, goats and swine among beasts,
but the human family is also subject to
its ravages. Two cases are known to
exist near Danville at present.
Financially, the loss to the farming
and grazing community may be very
great. An outbreak in Germany a few
years ago cost that nation thirty million
marks, about 81, 100000. 1t is difficult
to say at this time what the result may
be in this State, but the State Live Stock
Sanitary Board is doing all that can be
done at present, and no expense will be
spared to eradicate the disease at the
earliest possible moment.
Auditor General Young, acting with
the Governor, has agreed to allow the
entire amount of money appropriated
for the use of the Board 20 be used at
once and provision will be made for
plenty of funds for the use of the au-
thorities. While the situation is grave it
is believed that the outbreak will be
confined to the countries named, and
will be soon checked. A shipment of
cattle from Buffalo is believed to be re-
sponsible for the disease in Pennsyl-
vania.
Latest reports from the infected dis
trict are to the effect that DR.. Pearson,
who is in charge, has the situation well
in hand, and that little further spread is
anticipated. Infected herds are being
killed and buried, and the United States
government has agreed to pay two
thirds of the cost of the outbreak,
Pennsylvania paying the balance. Sew
eral children are said to be i'll with the
disease.
Interest in the Speakership fight for
the next House of Representatives was
somewhat heightened last week by the
announcement made by Hon. Frank B.
McClain, who presided over the last
House, to the effect that he would be a
candidate to succeed himself. About
the same time it was announced that
the large delegations of members from
Allegheny and Philadelphia would not
be for him. Mr.. McClain, after an inter-
view with Senator Penrose, announced
that he was in the fight to the finish. If
this condition continues there will be
some lively times at the opening of the
session, for the Ex-Speaker has a lot of
friends and is a hustler. At the same
time it must be conceded that a majority
of the members elected to the next
House are in favor of the reelection of
Senator Penrose to the U. S. Senate
January next will tell the st. ,ry.
Saturday brought us the first snow of
the season, and we have sleighing. 1t
will not last long hereabouts, for it is
too early in the season. From all parts
of the State comes word of the low
streams and needed rain and much suffer-
ing and inconvenience will result should
winter set in steadily at this time.
n F. HAITSE