Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-08-25
TESTING COWS.
Some Misunderstanding as to Provis-
ions of New Law.


Some misunderstanding as to Provis'
ions Of New Law.
There is much uncertainty among thu
owners OF COWS in this vicinity as to thu
law respecting the testing of cows for tn.
berculosis, as required under the city or
dinance just enacted. Even M. s. Smith
Of the Ellsworth board Of health, who
thought he could interpret the law, which
seemed clear on the point OF expense, and
two weeks ago published letter stating
that free tests could be arranged for, now
says that, according to the cattle commis-
sioners, VINO seem to be the power in the
case, the tests must he paid for by
owners of cows.
Mr.. Smith quotes section 2 of chapter
1873 OF the law passed by the last legisla-
ture, on which he based his first conclu-
sion that the tests would be made free.
The section reads as follows:
When the owner or owners Of grade cattle
shall make application to the State Of Maine
cattle commission to have their cattle tested
with tuberculin, the said commissioners shall
Judgment necessary, and the same shall be
paid for out of the funds appropriated for the
use of the State Of Maine cattle commission.
Provided, however, trat no tests of grade cat
tie shall be made At the expense Of the State
OF, Maine at periods Of less time than twelve
months.
Then it goes on to say, s'tne said COM
missioners shall make all needful rules"
etc., but in making these rules it hardly
seems possible that the cattle commission
ers can cut out or utterly ignore the
above section. Mr.. Smith says:
1.-THE local board Of health made an ap-
plication to the cattle commission, also 70
the State of Maine agricultural depart
ment, setting forth that in its judgment
in the city OF Ellsworth there were cows
infected with tuberculosis, and asked that
veterinary be sent here to test them. No
notice has been taken of the letters either
by the cattle commissioners or the agri-
cultural department. They have failed
even to ack nowledge receipt Of the letters.
s'Prior to sending this notice to the cat
tie commissioners, rules dated June l, 1901,
were received by the local board Of health.
Section 7, chapter 1873, Of last winters law,
reads as follows:
Chapter fifty-seven Of the public laws Of
1907, and all other acts, and parts of acts in
consistent herewith, are hereby repealed.
Approved March 24).
SIT would therefore seem that rules
dated June 1, 1907, are a misft.
-.
license to sell milk, no questions asked is
your COW sick or we'll. The cattle COM
missioners are asking the owners Of cows
to pay the bill for testing when the cows
are found healthy. The law provides for
payment for infected cows that are or
dered killed.
''That the cattle commissioners do not
intend to comply with section 2, chapter
1873, of the new law, is quite evident from
their correspondence with the local milk
inspector.
s'Two weeks ago stated over my sigma
ture that if the board Of health asked to
have COWS tested, there would be no
charges. Now want to retract that state
ment and say the cattle commissioners
have ruled that there will be charge as
follows: From twenty to thirty cows, all
handy, will be tested for 80, or to test a
single COW will cost So
SNOW it should be impressed upon all
parties living in the limits Of the city Of
Ellsworth, who sell milk, and parties who
keep cows just over the city line and sell
milk in the city, that their cows must be
tested to enable them to procure license
from the city to sell milk. There must be
limit to this time, or the board Of health
will call upon the city to enforce the city
ordinance.
"You will see by the law that the board
Of health has no legal right to ask to have
cattle tested. The owners Of cattle must
apply to the cattle commissioners"