The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-08-13
Johnson Grass Fight
is Waged in Oklahoma

4
son progresses, the state board OF az.
riculture is being fairly overwhelmed
with inquiries relating 10 the law pass.
ed by the first legislature, for the pur.
pose Of restricting the spread Of John
son grfass and Russian thistle, and
prohibiting the sale or transportation
OF the same within this state Sever
nj OF the communications are from
county attorneys inquiring IL there is
huch law, and the general public
seems to have no idea OF who Is charg-
ed with the enforcement OF this meas.
ure. The board Of agriculture publish
ed this law in it's biennial report and
of course, It should be found in the
session laws OF t907-s
That measure provides not only
that It should be unlawful to introduce
into, or TO sell or offer for sale within
this state, any seed Of Johnson grass.
or Russian thistle, but It made 1t
misdemeanor for any person, Arm or
corporation 10 permit Johnson grass or
Russian thistle 10 mature seed upon
any land, grounds, or right Of way
controlled by him or them, either as
owner, agent. lessee, manager or re-
celver, and provided that each section
OF land upon which such seed are per-
} mitted to mature shall constitute
separate offense. This makes rail
road companies, as we'll as all other
persons and corporations liable for
each section through which their right
of way may pass
Section OF this law makes It the
; duty OF the county commissioners OF
y each county within the state, whore
, Johnson grass or Russian thistle may
have gained a foothold TO prescribe
the jurisdiction of each road over
; seer, supervisor or street commission.
e er in such township for the purpose
a Of preventing the spread Of these nox
. ious plants. and section makes It
the duty of every road overseer. su.
pervisor or street commissioner with.
y in the state to prevent the seeding
NJ of Johnson grass or Russian thistle
n. upon any right of way of any road or
i upon any groands under his care. and
!, Il Is the farther duty OF every such
y road overseer, supervisor or street
commissioner, upon receiving written
= notice from any citizen that Johnson
i grass or Russian thistle are being per.
4 mitted to mature seed upon any land
within his Jurisdiction. @ imnediafelp
+, Investigate. and finding such inlofmp
!. ton correct the ewaer. nt lessee
receiver or manager tneTeol N 81
! slYen sSp daFr time after noEice allh.
q Nlsieh g ieatfny snes alanls. and
If a0eh agent swasr sssssee receiver
log manager snall fat SO i dol flss
oyeieser shall employ such assistance
as may De sascessary - cut and burn
All such plants. seeding within his
jurisdiction. and for this purpose he
shall have the right to enter upon
n or cross any line necessary to resch
4 and destroy such plants He shall
y have power to Issue an order against
the road and bridge fund Of such coun.
ty for the payment of such labor and
such order. after being approved By
-e the board Of county commissioners.
shall be paid out Of the road and
bridge fund OF the county, and the
amount SHAH be certified on the re.
cords as taxes against the particular
tract Of land upon which such plants
we're cut and burned. and shall be col
lected the same as other taxes. To-
I gether with a penalty of twenty-five
per centum and the amount so collect.
ed shall be turned into the road and
\ bridge fund Of the county
& Section Z says it shall be the duty
Of any court within this state to order
i destroyed BY fire all seeds OF Johnson
y grass or Russian thistle found within
i the Jurisdiction Of said court
l. The law among many other excel
L lent provisions. provides that any per
.e son. firm or corporation. owner. les.
i. see, manager or receiver. or any road
4. oyerseer. supervisor or street com
d missioner. or any member Of the board
ir Of county commissioners found guilty
& Of any Of the provisions Of this act
shall be fined not less than twenty
I. I'VE nor more than one hundred dol
K lars for each offense, such fine 70 be
paid into the road and bridge fund Of
said county
Whenever johnson grass Is permit
ted to develop into full tassel, Il shall
be construed 20 have matured seed
v under the provisions Of this act
n Here IS a iaw that puts into the
hands Of every citizen. and places IN
tho power ol every enterprlalng com.