The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-05-18
BUREAUS EXPERT
"ASLEEPAT SWITCH

Under date of April %, 1915, the
Breeders Gazette IS leading editorial
reviews the recent outbreak of the
foot-andmouth disease. We quote a
portion of the editorial, which is head
ed, " Asleep at the Switch
elf DR.. Eichorn, the bureaus ex-
pert on foot-and-mouth, had been sent
to Michigan on September 3rd, when
DR.. Fess reported his mistaken dag
nosis, in all arman probability the
trouble would have betn nipped in the
bud. Why was this not donef When
Congressman Anderson stated that cit
seems rather strange to me that the de-
partment did not detect the existence
of foot-andmouth disease and take
greater care in determining it definite
ly than it did take" DR.. Mohler made
this reply:
"We did not have the slightest idea
of foot -and-omuth disease being within
5000 miles of here. We were not an
ticipating that every report of mycotic
stamatitis might be foot-and mouth
disease
"Asleep at the switchi'
Comment is useess. We have quot
ed from the official report of the
% Hearing before the Committee on
Agriculture, House of Representatives
on II. R. 21433.D In that document
stockmen will find further details of
the most reprehensible, inexcusable
and costly betrayal of confidence
through ignorance and indifference of
which live stock sanitary officials,
state and national, have ever been
guilty.
cit is decidedly significant that this
visitation has followed so closely upon
the heels of the opening of American
ports to the free introduction of for
eign animal products. Indeed the sus-
pension of the introduction Of hides,
pelts, wool and all packing house pro-
ducts, at least from Argentine, is not
a question that should have the imme-
date and very serious consideration
OF the administration.
"That Argentina is full of foot-and-
mouth is well known. That the author
tiles are unable to cope with it is also
matter of common knowledge. The
yards and cars and abattoirs through
which the so-called recovered and the
exposed eases pass on their way from
or through infected areas to their des-
tiny, in all human probability hide the
dreaded virus of this most insidious
OF all animal infections. Sheep are
subject to it. Their wool is coming in
duty free. Boat-loads of beef and NUT
ton have been landed upon our coasts.
What about the wrappings, and what
about the meat that has been handled
through packing houses and frigorifi-
cos located and doing business in an
admittedly infected countrys"
"What is the use of fre-and-sword
policy here at home if the output of
infected regions abroad is to be given
unrestricted entryg The cleanup has
cost us millions. The market losses
roll up other millions. When Argentina
cleans house herself it should be time
to open our doors to her again. This
is not hostile attitude towards our
sister republic. 1t is simply problem
to be faced and solved in the light of
bitter experience. What about it, Mr..
Wilson and Mr.. Houston, Mr.. Champ
Clark and Mr. Underwoods "You all"
are in the saddle.'
"We have been hard hit. Are we to
invite continuous performance A
few moresuch winters as that ust past
and beef steers in America will be
scarce as dodos'