The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-15
STATE OFFICER
WILL SOON RETIRE
Dairy and Food Commissioner
Saunders to Quit
Position.
HAS PERSONAL BUSINESS
Has Held Place Over Own Pro-
test-Term Expires at
End of Year.

For reasons affecting his personal
! business affairs. State Dairy and Food
Commissioner w. d. Saunders will not
that position. and expects to retire at
the expiration of his present term on
December 81 of this year. Mr.. Saun-
! ders in an interview yesterday. au-
! thorized this announcement
1t has been stated recently about tho
Capitol by friends of Commissioners
Saunders that he would under no cir
cumstances accept reappointment.
When asked about the matter yester-
day, he did not put the case in so strong
light, but said that he had never
been an aspirant for the position. had
never desired to hold Ii, and would
much prefer not to do SO. 1t Is be-
lIeved that he would deot;ne reappoint-
ment.
Has Private Business.
Mr.. Saunders is the possessor of one
of the most valuable farms in Franklin
county. to which he has been able to
give little attention since the begin
ming OF his public service. 1t is his
desire TO devote himself to Improving
this property and to bring 1t up to its
highest state of profitable cultivate on.
He has. besides. other personal bust
ness affairs. which he believes demand
his attention to an extent which has
been impossible while he holds public
office. lie is a brother of Congressman
e. w. Saunders. of the Fifth District.
When the term expires on the last
day OF this year Mr.. Saunders will have
been the States Dairy and Food Com
missioner for three years and seven
months He was appointed by Cover
nor Swanson under the provisions of
the act creating the department after
the adjournment OF the Legislature.
The successor to Mr.. Saunders. whoever
he may be. will fill a full term of four
years, under the statute. Governor
Swanson sought Mr.. Saunders and asked
him to accept the appointment. which
the latter agreed to after protest.
Has Made Speciality.
The incumbent is a graduate OF Cor
nell, where he specialized In just such
work as now falls under his jurisdic-
ton. He has paid especial attention to
dnirying and to advanced farming. and
knows things about pure human and
animal food products. 1t has been his
duty to organize the commission over
which he presides and to put II in run
ming order.
Approaching the end of his period
of service. Commissioner Saunders said
yesterday that while he has not been
able TO accomplish all that he set out
to do, he feels that great strides have
been made and that success has
crowned many of his efforts. Manufac-
turers of and dealers In food products
unfit for consumption have been
schooled into obedience with the law.
The very presence of inspectors In the
field has, 1t is beloved. deferred many
practices formerly INDUCED In
Wipe Out Cattle Disease.
But the greatest anxiety felt by Com
missioner Saunders is in regard TO the
tuberculin tests for cattle. He secured
the passage Of law by the last Leg
islature authorizing tests to be made
at the request of owners. and appropri-
ating a rather small sum for reimburs-
ing in part for the loss sustained by
cattle which We're condemned This
work has grown to the point where
Mr.. Saunders regards 1t as one of the
most important factors in the develop
ment of dairying and cattle raising in
Virginia. Whole herds have been
cleaned out and the infection destroyed
In many localities. II continued, he
thinks, in time the State will be prac-
tically rid of the most prolific cause
of loss to the farmers and dairymen.
Leaving the work of cattle testing
is Mr.. Saunderss only regret. He hopes
that 1t will fall into hands which can
be trusted to carry 1t to Its ultimate
conclusion.