South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-23
MOUTH AND HOOP PLAGUE CALLS
FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Naturally the farmers along the
Indiana-Michigan line TO the north
and west OF the city whose live stock
is in danger of the federal judgment
incident to the discovery of the mouth
and hoof disease in that section, are
beginning to wonder. It has required
several days to come to a full
appears that the end is not yet
Conditions are really serious so
serious in fact that not only the
farmers Immediately affected, have
good reasons 10 wonder, but other
farmers as well, and with them, our
city folk
The destruction OF a large areas
production Of live stock so near home
literally wiping it out as of no value,
and along with it the farm produce
grown on the affected soils not
only a caution. but a calamity. 1t is
one of those calamities born Of
necessity. Government experts say
the condition is one OF the worst that
they have ever encountered. The
possibilities Of spreading the contagion
and making the bad matter infinitely
worse is the point at issue. Besides
we must bear the public health duly
i'm mind. Diseased meats. milk and
other foods are not good for humans.
IL is a calamity. therefore, which
while not welcome. is better welcomed
in the knowledge of it than for it to
be allowed 10 go on unknown and
unrestricted. to no telling what fatal
ends.
At the same time we doubt the
necessity of our becoming unduly
excited; that is, unless it be upon the
psychological theory that we are so
bone-headed that it requires degree
of excitement TO wake US up and get
us into action. Can't We meet this
situation like intelligent. cOOI-headed
men of affairs. We are up against a
condition. not a theory. 1t is a
matter of self-preservaton that
confronts US. even though the
majority Of us may own no live stock
through the loss OF which we might
be affected, in that sense. financially.
Why not meet il as we would meet a
confagration or a flood, with all the
implements at our command. and
such other inventions as necessity
may urge?
When the roaring Wabash rose
above its banks and devastated Peru.
and the Ohio spread its destruction
over Evansville. rescue parties from
all over the state went TO assist the
afflicted. and. IN the Aftermath
appropriations were made by the
legislature to help care for the
victims. This was right and proper,
but here at our very door we are face
10 face with a calamity that makes
the flood of 1913 look tame. if we can
take the experts seriously. We do
not agree with those enthusiasts who
would have Gov. Ralston call "a
special session OF the legislature 20
make an appropriation with which 10
night the plague. We do not believe il
necessary. The state board of health,
together with the states borrowing
capacity. can meet the situation
pending a regular session OF the
legislature in January, but the action
should be forthcoming
And that is what we need-action.
We need action quite as bad as we
need the money. and certainly no
more money than is necessary for
action Farmers whose property is
20 be destroyed. in part at least. for
the protection OF other farmers and
the public. may with propriety be
saved from being the sole losers. but
at the same time care should be
taken not TO allow this expenditure of
money 10 degenerate into "a graft.
IL is not necessary To be lavish. II
Is enough 20 be sane. And furthermore.
let rs hope
That In our declaration OF war
against the mouth and hoof disease,
We VIII not be Immediately confronted
with more OF the high cost OF living; a
higher price for milk. a higher price
for-butter. a higher price for beef and
for pork and an things else Just
because owing 20 comparative
decrease iu supply those Afforded a
more ready market see chance to