Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-11
BIG APPROPRIATION TO
FIGHT CATTLE SCOURCE
Governor Asks Legislature to Aid in
Stamping Out Foot-and-NIouth
Disease.
SENDS SPECIAL MESSAGE
General Assembly Asked to Appro-
PIRATE $tO5,O0O to Stamp Out Raw
ages OF Disease Among Livestock.
Dircful Calamity Threatened.

Governor Stuart yesterday sent n
special message to the General Assem-
bly, asking for an appropriation OF
100000 to be used in fighting the
foot -and-mouth disenSe in Virginia. by
unanimous consent the introduction of
Il Bill carrying the appropriation was
allowed in the House. and in the Senate
the communication of the Governor
was referred to the Finance Commit
Tee" RcaliZing the emergency existing.
both branches OF the Legislature will
in all probability pass the bill at the
earliest possible time.
The bill places the sum of 500. 600
In the hands of the Governor. State
Veterinarian FerneyhouEh and !.
thompson brown, chairman OF the
state Live Stock Sanitary Board, au-
thorizinS these officials to order killed
ana paid for all cattle infected by the
disease. The additional $1,000 is to he
used in carrying on the work of the
state Live Stock Sanitary Board. The
bill carries an emergency clause and
will. therefore, become effective from
the time of it's passage. The Governor
believes the outbreak of the disease
threatens to constitute one OF the most
diretul calamitics which has ever
visited Virginia.
GOVERNOR SENDS
SPECIAL. MESSAGE
Tho text OF the Governors message
follows:
March O. 1915
To the General Assembly:
| feel II my duty as Governor OF Eir-
rinia to call the attention OF the Ger
eral Assembly TO the fact that there
have been up to date seven outbreaks
OF foot-nnd mouth disease in this state
Involving the immediate destruction OF
several hundred domestic animals as :,
means OF preventing the spread of this
disease. IT is, in my opinion. no eN-
aESeration to say that the State of
Virginia is now threatened with one OF
the most stupcndous and far-rcaching
caiamities that could be imagined. 1t
* well aSccrtaincd fact that tho
germ OF foot-and-mouth disease IL al
most II not quite, indcstructiblc. Once
established In 4 country, the resulting
damage becomes immeasurablc and al
most illimitablc as to time Accurate
and trustworthy statistics Support th,.
very worst TINT has been said of the
consequences OF spread of foot and
mouth disease. Experience teaches that
IL must he treated by heroic measures
ana stamped out in it's Inception rather
imam tcmpori"cd or compromised with
In View of the grave danger now
oNcrhnneing the State and Of the cmer-
Ecncy now existing with respect to this
matter. | am asking from the General
Assembly an appropriation of 100000.
10 he expended by the state Live Stock
sanitary Board in conjunction with the
Governor Of the state. or so much there
or az may be necessary to eradicate
and control the said disease, and for the
protection of the State against the
further spread thereof.
The amount asked for may seem large
but it is really small in comparison with
the appropriation Of other States which
nave undertaken to prepare for sit
naton like ours. which may at any
lime develop into nh emergency. It is
economy to prepare for vigorous action
all ~along the line wherever foot-and-
mouth disease may make it's first APP
pcarance. 1t is to be hoped the situa-
ton may he successfully met with n
very small expenditure, but consldern-
tions both OF efficiency and economy de-
mand a reasonable state OF prepared
ness.
am also asking an appropriation OF
$4,000, or so much thereof as may be
necessary. for tho better equipment OF
the state Live Stock Sanitary Board
and to meet the expenses of said board
in performing the duties assigned to it
by law. including the salaries OF such
assistant veterinarians as the said
board may employ, together with neces-
sary clerical and other incidental ex-
penScS.
feel it is unnecessary to urge upon
tho General Assembly the importance
OF this Legislation.
Respectfully submitted.
IL. e.. STCAIST