Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-01-23
CONGRESS ASKED
TO AID IN FIGHT
AGAINST RABIES
Bill introduced by Congress
man Addison T. Smith of
Idaho Provides for an Ad-
ditional Appropriation.
Capital News Special service)


western states. congress is asked for an
additional appropriation toward the de-
struction of animals so afflicted.
In bill recently introduced by Con-
gresham Addison 7. Smith of Idaho
the sum of $250,000. to be expended
under the direction of the secretary OF
the department of agriculture, is asked.
Mr.. Smith has secured reports of in
vestigations from both the federal anu
state governments, and cooperation
between them will be more intensified.
Many persons have been bitten, re-
uuiring special hospital treatment, and
the loss in livestock in the north
western states is reported as being
heavy. Rabies Is found extensively
among dogs, cats, horses. cattle, sheep
and hogs Southeastern Oregon, north
ern California, Idaho and Nevada COM
prise the district seriously menaced,
and the epidemic is now threatening
Utah. This area, in which rabies is
now known to be present among coy
otes, covers approximately distance
of 400 miles from north to south, and
$50 miles from east to west. 1t is likely
that the area will extend.
Under the appropriation act for the
department of agriculture, for the pur-
pose Of extermin~ting predatory ami
mails the western states have been di-
vided into districts, each in charge of
an inspector who is employing force
of hunters and trappers to destroy the
predatory animals. Owing to the eX-
tent Of the rabies epidemic in Nevada,
the number of hunters employed in that
state has been increased to so.
Cooperate With Local Officials.
In the states mentioned, the federal
employees are cooperating, so far as
possible, with the local officials While
il would not be possible to completely
destroy the coyotes from this large area
in a short time without an cXpendi-
ture of money that would probably be
prohibitiVe, the federal authorities be-
lieve, however that the coyotes can he
killed in sufficient numbers to reduce
the danger from them, provided state
authorities at the same time adopt
adequate measures of control especially
as 1t pertains to domestic animals.
officials of the department of agrt-
culture state that the work being done
in the field could not be discontinued.
as the plans have so far progressed as
to make it lmpracticable to abandon
. them. They further state. however.
. that the amount available for attacking
the rabies situation is small and made
quate, and that If the situation is to
be properly handled an emergency ap-
preparation should be made. In view
of this condition, Congressman Smith,
IN his bill, asks that the additional APP
preparation be made Immediately avail
able.
Letter From Secretary Houston.
Congressman Smith has received
from the secretary of agriculture the
following letter relative to the rabies
situation:
Department OF Agriculture, Washing
ton, Jan. IL, 1915.
Hon. Addison r. Smith,
House of Representatives.
Dear Mr.. Smith: / have your letter
of Jan. with reference to the Coop
Grafton by this department with the
public health service and the boards Of
health of the various states in the de-
struction of predatory animals In con-
nection with the epidemic of rabies.
I have noted also the communication
inclosed from DIR. Ralph Falk, secretary
of the board of health. Boise, Idaho.
Rabies among coyotes and other wild
animals in the northwestern states
appears to have originated in north
eastern Oregon or southeastern Wash
ington about 1910 Since that time it
has spread towards the south through
southeastern Oregon. northeastern Cal
Efornia, Idaho and Nevada, and is now
threatening Utah. Reports agree that
people and also many domestic ami
mails have been bitten. There appear to
be considerable losses of livestock.
The animals in which rabies we're re-
ported to have developed in that re-
gion are dogs. coyotes, cats, horses,
eattle, sheep and hogs.
The area in which rabies is now
known to be present among coyotes
eovers a distance of approximately 400
miles from north to- south and $50
miles from east to west. 1t is likely
hat the area will extend. II would be
mpracticable completely to destroy
coyotes from this area, or even from a
portion of it, in a short time without
n expenditure that would probably be
brohibitive. 1t is thought that the
coyotes can be killed in sufficient num-
bers to reduce the danger from them
provided the state authorities will ut
he same time adopt adequate meas
res of control. such as drastic muz-
ling law for dogs and the proper con-
rol Of other domestic animals.
The appropriation act for the de-
artment of agriculture for 1915 car
led an item of 100000 for certain
eneral purposes and provided that OF
his amount not less than $125.o00 shall
used on the national forests and
ubIic domain in destroying wolves
oyotes and other animals injurious to
griculture and animal industry. I'm
err this appropriation, the western
ates have been divided into districts
ach in charge of an inspector who is
nploying a force of hunters and trap
ers to destroy coyotes and other pred
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