Commissioner of Agriculture 121 



was noticeable in the lessened number of animals which were 

 tuberculin-tested during the prevalence of the epidemic. 



The Agricultural Law relating to the diseases of domestic ani- 

 mals was amended by the Legislature of 1915 in but one par- 

 ticular. This new section (104) provides for the indemnification 

 of owners of cattle, sheep, or swine destroyed in the control, sup- 

 pression, or eradication of foot-and-mouth disease, or anthrax. 

 Until this statute became effective, there was no specific provision 

 in the laws of the State for owners to receive compensation for ani- 

 mals so destroyed. The Legislature, however, had always previ- 

 ously made appropriation for the compensation of owners of 

 animals slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease, but had 

 never provided any indemnification for anthrax. 



In previous outbreaks of the former as well as the present one, 

 the Federal Government has assumed a portion of the liabilities 

 to owners. In 1908. two-thirds, and in 1914-15. one-half of such 

 liabilities had been paid by the United States Department of 

 Agriculture. The above amendment did not take effect until the 

 disease had been practically eradicated from this State, and con- 

 sequently did not affect the policies already adopted in this out- 

 break. Under this new statute full utility value for cattle, sheep, 

 or swine killed for the purpose of controlling, suppressing, or 

 eradicating the above diseases shall be paid owners. !No provi- 

 sion is made for any portion of the liability to be assumed by the 

 Federal Government. There is, furthermore, no provision in the 

 Law for the payment of any property damage, which has hereto- 

 fore been assumed as a legitimate claim to be paid by the State 

 or Xation. This amendment provides that the value of the ani- 

 mals killed is to be determined by a Board of Appraisal to consist 

 of two persons, one representing the Commissioner of Agriculture, 

 the other the owner of the animals to be valued. A third member 

 shall be chosen if there is a disagreement between the first two, 

 the findings of the majority to be final. The advisability of such 

 legislation is very doubtful, since it makes the State liable for the 

 full utility value, contains no provision for any division with the 

 Xational Government, and adds anthrax to the list of diseases 

 for which the State assumes to compensate owners. 



Carrying this procedure further, it would be logical to add all 

 infectious diseases of animals to the list, thereby placing the State 



