The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-08-22
ADVISOR OUTLINES
HARTWIC CASE
DIR. HARTnlG'S MAGAZINE DISCUSSES
TROUBLE WHICH CAUSED
$4,000 SUIT

Specific allegations of startling ma
sure are contained in the complaint in
the suit of DR.. A, H. Hartwig of this city,
through his attorney Gustav Buchheit,
against State Veterinarian O. II. Ella
son. The suit, which was filed August
In the Circuit Court at Jefferson, is fOr
$25, 900 damages-$10,000 for injuries to
business as the result of alleged SIAN
derOus statements, and $4,000 Cor dam
ages 10 his reputation and gOoG name.
DR.. Hartwig was DR.. Eliason's prede-
cessOr in office.
The defendant. 0. II. Eliason, is al
legged to have called DIR. Hartwig crook
from the floor Of the convention of the
United States Live Stock Sanitary AssO-
citation in Chicago, December 4, 1912,
using the following language: "At the
present time there is only one man in
the State of " iscOnsin whose tests | can
not accept, and that man is crook. He
Is crooked because he passed animals
that were rotten. He is dishonest, He
sent cattle out Of the state pest house
that should be in the bOneyard."
At this convention, the complaint al
leges, petition signed by number of
breeders of high grade HOlstein cattle
was presented and considered which al
legged that a large number OF iDcOm-
petent men and boys we're being sent
out over the state to make official tests
of cattle, with the result that large
number of cattle free from disease were
being condemned and that large num-
bers admitted TO the state as free from
disease were later found to be infected,
and that the state veterinarian DR.. Ella
son, had refused to 80. K" the certifi-
Gates of competent and reputable vet
erinarian who was not in political ac-
cord with him."
1t was while defending his position in
the matter, the complaint alleges, that
DR.. Elias0n asserted that conditions In
Wisconsin were no worse than anywhere
else, and followed up with the statement
quoted in the complaint and which it is
alleged was directed at DR.. Eliasoa's
predecessor in office, DR.. Hartwig.
Inan authorized interview to the press,
Wednesday, Dr.. Hartwig said: "In
twenty years of actual veterinary prac-
tice, during which time | gave the
closest possible attention to all scientific
advancements in the profession, l built
up reputation as conscientious and
reliable veterinary inspector that ex-
tended far beyond the limits of Dodge
and jefferson counties. | was employed
to do inspecting by the United States
government, the Dominion of Canada,
the Empire of Japan, and every state
live stock sanitary authority in the
United States.
"A general protest at the methods en-
ployed in inspecting and cOndemning
cattle arose at about the time took
charge of the office of state veterinarian.
The inspecting was done by incOmpe-
tent laymen, with the result that 22.52
per cent. of the cattle condemned were
been taken from the farms, while many
of the worst cases, refusing to answer
TO the test, were left in the herds to con-
taminate the healthy animals.
Following the rules laid down by the
United States Bureau of Animal Industry
| employed only competent veterinarians
for this work, and was successful i'm re-
ducing this percentage of error from
22.52 per cent. TO 81 per cent. within
four months. All chronic eases were
condemned on clinical examination, and
the herds were left clean and free from
danger of future Contamination.
''The wrath of the politicians who
were responsible for the condition of af-
fairs when took office was unbounded.
They declared That I+was spelling their
good record They demanded control
of my office, threatening political re-
venge il their demands were not grant,
ed.
Their threats apparently won the day.
My work was hampered to such an ex-
tent that saw would sOen be going
backward instead of forward. / tender
ed my resignation on December 2, 1911,
returning 10 my private practice as soon
as my successor was appointed, and be-
lieving fully that by this course my pro-
fessional reputation world be saved.
This did not prove to be the case.
Not satisfied with getting me out and
attaching TO themselves the credit for
the good showing | had made. my pro-
fessional reputation was attacked.
was informed that stories OF alleged ir,
regularities in office were circulated
about me.
"The climax came just year after
my resignation. The United States Live
Stock Sanitary Association, composed OF
the best authorities on this subject in
North America, met in Chicago, Decem
Der 4. 912. The association, by the pas
sage of a resolution, severely criticised
the Wisconsin Board for laxity of en-
forcement of the sanitary regulations
The criticism and answer were made in
the presence of those authorities who