Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22


Bureau of Plant Quarantine handles
the first phase of the activity and the
Bureau of Animal Husbandry the
second.
The Bureau of Plant Quarantine has
inspectors stationed at the principal
ports of entry and along the Mexican
border. It's inspectors examine ships
and passengers baggage, II they con-
tain plants or plant products under
restriction.
The establishment of foreign air
transportation lines during the last
year has meaSurably increased the
amount of baggage inspection neces-
sary. During the year more than 1000
airplanes arrived from foreign coun-
tries at landing fields at Brownsville,
Miami, San Diego and San Juan, Porto
Rico. Contraband plants and plant
products were intercepted 1874 times.
The inspectors also assisted in the
gers on the Graf Zeppelin, which ar
rived here in October, 1928. Though
no contraband plants or plant products
were found in the cargo or in the bag
gage, bouquets of flowers used for
decorative purposes in the passengers
quarters were found to be infected. All
told, seven species of insects were
found and two plant diseases.
Guard Ten Ports Of Entry.
The bureaus inspectors are stationed
at ten ports of entry along the Mexican
border. These points all have rail con-
nection with Mexico and during the
year a total of 36,941 cars were inspect
ed in Mexican railway yards. About
half of these were fumigated before
they were permitted to enter the Unit&
States. More than 1000 were found u
be contaminated.
In addition to inspecting and fumi-
eating railway cars, the inspectors of
the bureau examine baggage and ex-
press packages coming from Mexico.
Last year about 81 900 pieces Of bag
gage and 1000 parcel post packages
were examined. Many prohibited plants
and plant products were intercepted,
some Of which were found 10 be in
fected with the Mexican fruit work,
pink bollworm or other pests.
Ship inspection supplements the work
on the border. The bureau maintains
inspectors at all of the important ports
Of entry. Where necessary, cargoes arc
fumigated. The volume Of material
thus treated during the year is large.
For example, cotton fumigated totaled
328, 900 bales.
Crops Also Inspected.
Plants imported under special per-
mitS must likewise be examined. But
the work does not stop here. BY rea-
son of the impoSSibility of recognizing
plant disease in certain stages and of
detecting the presence Of all insects,
plants imported under special permit
are inspected again In the field during
two or more growing seasons.
This Is done to discover If any pests
escaped attention in the initial exami-
nation. Last year more than 40 900 900
plants, distributed in TIA towns in 40
States, were examined in this way. The
bureaus work Of inspection covers Porto
Rico as well as Hawaii.
Agents Of the bureau intercepted
more than 500 plant pests last year.
These included the West Indian fruit
ny, the pink bollworm, the SorreF cut
worm and the bull eelworm. A total
Of 1884 interruptions of prohibited
plants and plant products were made
during the year. The Bureau of Animal
Husbandry carries on its work along
much the same lines. Our animals
always face the danger Of disease from
foreign sources.
Animals Closely Examined.
A close inspection was made Of all
animals imported during the year. The
bureau has likewise, as part of its du-
ties examined all live stock intended
Tor export. This has been done in
order that they may meet the require
mentS Of foreign countries.
Other Federal agencies are Interested
In the watch along our frontiers. The
Public Health Service, for example.
must keep disease out Of the country,
and in performing this mission 1t has
devised comprehensive and scientific
plan Of protection. It's quarantine ON
GERS are found at all ports.
The Public Health Service also has
an intelligence service second in EN-
cheney to that Of no other health or
gan1zation in the world. Surg. Gen.
Cumming always has on hand accurate
data on health conditions In all parts
Of the world.
In the case Of one South American
country some time ago reports from
It's government showed no epidemic.
The Public Health Service received
word that serious epidenmic was actu-
ally then in progress in that country.
though the officials were saying nothing
about it.
Mr.. Cumming warned his inspectors
who detected the disease among the
passengers and crew Of ship that had
reached the United States from q port
in the infected country. The ship was
fumigated, the passengers and crew
quarantlned and the prompt action
probably saved several American cities
from an outbreak Of the disease.
The Public Health Service has re-
Gently extended its operations overseas.
1t now examines abroad the applicants
for admission into the United States
under the immigration acts.
Coast Guard Long Active.
The long experience of the Coast
Guard admirably fits that organization
to take over the border patrol, in line
with the recommendations contained
IN President Hoover's message to Con-
greSS. Admiral Billiard and his men
already have on their hands the en-
forcement Of the customs laws by sea
and especially the prevention of the
smuggling Of liquor by sea.
A coast line Of 10000 miles must be
guarded and Admiral Billiard readily
admits that the Coast Guard has not
yet succeeded in preventing all liquor
smuggling. With greater forces under
his command he believes that It viii
be possible to stop smuggling altogether.
1T is perfectly evident" he says,
that the Smuggler has no intention of
voluntarily abandoning his unlawful
pursuit. In other words, there is moth
ing to be done but to put him out of
business. This can be done, and the
Coast Guard will do it If the necessary
means to accomplish that end are
placed at its disposal"
-
400 officers and more than 10000 en-
listed men, besides warrant and other
non commissioned officers. It's floating
equipment includes 81 cruising cutters
OF the first class and IS Of the second
class, "a destroyers, aside from several
hundred smaller craft.