Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-11-17
Mr.. Burke ReRplies.

To the editor of the Courier.
Sir: Having had my attention
drawn to an article in Thursdays is
sue of The Courier would be glad
If you would allow me space in your
columns for few words in reply.
Usually do not pay any atten-
tion to things of this sort-being
ayerse to newspaper controversy,
but Mr. Wood seems to be somewhat
In the dark concerning the inspect
ors duties. AS matter of fact, the
hysterical outbreak of the gentleman
in question was not occasioned by
anxiety as to my ability to attend to
my duties; on the contrary, he has
good and substantial reasons for
knowing that ] not only understand
my work, but that ! have the cour
age Of my convictions.
No amount of criticism is going
to deter me from enforcing the law
while | continue In office. | am sor-
ry to have to expose any mans busi-
ness methods. AS the tender-heart-
ed mother remarked to her naughty
offspring as she applied a shingle
where 1t would do the most good.
This hurts me as bad as it does
YOU"
We have large number of or
chards owned by people at a dis
tance, who are paying men here to
care for their property. Some of
their orchards are, or have been. in
a very bad condition although I have
notified those In charge repeatedly
TO clean up. 1t is no part of the in
spector's duty to 90 into a mans Or
chard and clean 1t up for him. but
when the work is not done after a
proper length of time, we are order
ed 10 put men In to do the work, and
The man Is presented with the bill.
rhis' was compelled to do this fall.
Naturally, Mrs. Wyman, who owns
he orchard, was puzzled to know
why she was called upon to pay the
Dill when Mr.. Wood was supposed to
'e attending to the orchard.
The office Of fruit inspector is no
'inecure, and we come in for a great
ieal OF criticism from men who do
lot know the first thing about hor-
iculture. AS to leaving written in
'tructions with an orchardist, we
must give man credit for ordinary
Intelligence. When we 20 over an
orchard with man and tell him the
'emedy for certain evils do not
imagine 1t would be of especial bens-
1t to leave him written statement
Is well, except, Of course, II the man
should not be at home, then we in
leave instructions.
II fruit growers will care for their
rees according to my instructions.
hey need have little trouble, but so
ong as orchards are trusted to in
hands we will continue 20
have pests to fight and trees to grub
)ut and destroy. | am proud to say
hat, with few exceptions, the fruit
growers are eager and thankful to
get all the help they can from the
county official. But we occasionally
make bad friends when we are COM
Delled to enforce the law and the
law 10 no respector OF persons.
For the benent Of the taxpayers,
of which am one, would say the
county inspector Ia not paid by the
month. He Is only paid for the DAYS
he works, and he must Ale an item
I2ed statement OF every orchard In
spected during the month and its
with the owners name
With the county clerk. Any one at
all interested can easily gain access
TO these reports. Our commissioner,
Mr., A. II, Carson, is at liberty to veto
my OF the inspectors bills, should
they fail to do their duty. Yes,
really think know scale, but per-
haps | overestimate my ability.
j, r. BURKE,
County Fruit Inspector.