474 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



been taken out and a follow up test made, the percentage of loss at time 

 of sale would have been so small as to be of no consequence. 



The tuberculin test measure may really be considered as an insurance. 

 It helps care for a part of the loss that is sustained by the breeder or 

 owner who is unfortunate enough to get his herd infected. It encourages 

 the young breeder to go into the industry. It says to him, "If you will do 

 so, the state and Government jointly will stand between you and a total 

 loss if your herd becomes infected." The older breeder who does not take 

 advantage of the law has a rather narrow vision and in my way of think- 

 ing, will find the business unsatisfactory and not at all profitable. 



Though we are a little late in taking hold of a good thing, let us show 

 our neighbors in Minnesota and Wisconsin that we are none the less in 

 earnest than they have been, and we will soon have in Iowa a long list of 

 accredited herds." 



I desire to say at this time that wonderful progress has been made 

 within the last year or since this law became effective. I hope that the 

 39th General Assembly may comply with the request of the State Veterin- 

 arian and the Animal Health Commission for a substantial increase in 

 their present annual appropriation, so that the work so well started and in 

 hand may not be hindered on account of lack of funds. The State Veter- 

 inarian, in co-operation with the Federal authorities, has entire super- 

 vision over this work. This department has nothing to do with the en- 

 forcement of the provisions of this law. There is nothing in the law com- 

 pelling the farmer or breeder to have his cattle tested. Where conclusive 

 evidence is obtained that a certain herd is affected with tuberculosis, the 

 State Veterinarian is empowered to order the herd guarantined. No such 

 authority is vested in the Dairy and Food Commissioner. Ordinances ex- 

 cluding from distribution and sale milk other than from tuberculin tested 

 herds may be made by a city council. (See Sec. 3595, page 1087). For 

 further information see Sec. 1740, page 541, Compiled Code of Iowa 1919. 



I hope I have made my position on this subject understood. It has been 

 the same for the last 15 or 20 years. 



THE FUNCTION OF THE INSPECTOR. 



To the Iowa merchant an inspector of the Dairy and Food Department 

 is either a friend or a foe — the honest man will find him a sincere friend; 

 the dishonest man will find him an implacable enemy. The attitude of the 

 inspector will reflect that of the merchant. 



It has never been the policy of this department to regard itself as a 

 police force. It has always aimed to bring about the observance of those 

 statutes of which it has the enforcement by persuasion rather then by 

 coercion. An effort has been made to impress upon each employee of the 

 department that greater results could be accomplished by working in co- 

 operation with the merchant rather than by attempting to wield a Big 

 Stick. 



It is believed that practically in no instance has an Iowa merchant been 

 prosecuted without warning. It is not meant by this that each individual 

 is warned that he is violating the law before being prosecuted, but it does 



