The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-07-01
WRITES OPEN LETTER
Commissioner of Agriculture Brigham
Replies To Newspaper Story.

Commissioner of Agriculture Brigham
Replies To Newspaper Story.
The following open letter addressed
by Commissioner Of Agriculture e. S.
Brigham to the Rutland Herald has
been sent to The Banner office with a
request for publication.
To the Editor of the Rutland Herald:
Your paper of June 20 carries
news story which was sent to the
papers Of the state under Montpeli.
er date line with the compliments of
II. L. H., evidently showing you to
be the author.
While | have endeavored to keen
THE people OF the state fully informed
as to all phases OF the bovine tuber-
culosis eradication program, have,
avoided entering into newspaper
controversy. | believe sincerely that
a Leading industry of the state, very
fundamental to its economic welfare.
Is threatened by this serious disease,
which is also considered by the lead
ing medical authorities Of the world
to be a menace to the public health.
Believing as | do, it is my plain duty
in the position | hold to use every
ounce of energy | possess to carry
forward this program to a successful
conclusion.
You hold an opposite view and
seem to have assumed the leadership.
insofar as publicity Is concerned, Of
those who are opposed to this pre-
gram and are doing everything in
their power to thwart it. In taking
this position | believe you are sincere
and | respect your opinions.
In advocating my side of the con.
troversy | have, however, always
tried to be perfectly fair and to be
very careful to state actual facts. /
am Of the opinion that you aim to do
the same and that you desire to make
a fair fight For this reason alone
am writing you for the purpose OF
pointing out certain errors in your
news story which hope YOU will De
willing to correct.
The only trouble with the news
story is that 1t has absolutely no
foundation in fact.
First of all, reference is made to on
order issued by Commissioner Ell
bert S. Brigham under date of May
81, which cut down the indemnity for
private tested COWS one-haf." II you
will refer to No 20 of the Acts of
1921 you will find that an amendment
was made by the last Legislature to
Section SOB of the General Laws
which made the change which it is al (
legged that ! made by order. Under I
date of May 81 did write letter to 4.
all the veterinarians on our approved (
list, enclosing amendments to GER
tain sections of the General Laws
which went into effect on June and
called attention 10 the changes made
by these laws and instructed yeteri-
narians when called upon to make a
private test OF cattle to see that the
owner has clear understanding
OF TIE law You will see therefore
that the change in indemnity was
made by statute and that it Is beyond Il
my power as commissioner to Issue n
an order changing this indemnity IN
any way.
The story further refers to an order
alleged to have been issued by Or.
DeFosset to Vermont practiticr ars to
appear on June % and take an eXami
nation for the purpose OF showing
'cause why they should not be taken
Off the list OF approved yeterinar-
ans" of the state and federal depart
ments OF agriculture.
The purpose of the examination is