265 



It was claimed that the fact of foreign potatoes not being used for 

 seed did not mitigate the danger. The menace existed from the parings 

 being used in the refuse fed to animals both in city and country, and the 

 resultant manure infects the soil. 



Colorado showed that in one district of that state the entire potato 

 industry was destroyed through the introduction of an infectious disease. 

 It was also stated by pathologists that whereas the diseases would be 

 in a mild form in one area, the introduction to another area had been 

 known to cause a virulent form to develop. 



The loss on the crops in the infected areas, of which there are already 

 a number in the United States, amounts to one-third to one-half the 

 value of non-infected areas. And the potatoes themselves are a loss to 

 the consumer. 



The foreign representatives' statements were devoted to minimizing 

 the virulence of the diseases and also that there were but few areas infected 

 and that it would be confined to those areas, which would be, they claimed, 

 a simple matter. That new bags only would be used, inspection and cer- 

 tification of the most ample and satisfactory kind would be furnished, 

 etc. 



I was present throughout the entire hearing, with the exception of 

 about fifteen minutes — the session lasted from 10 a. m. to 12.50 p. m. 

 and 2.30 p. m. to 5.30 p. m. My belief is four individuals (other than 

 the foreign delegates) expressed any sentiment but that the most strin- 

 gent quarantine should be established — ^resulting in absolute prohibition 

 of entry within our borders. It was also indicated that even though this 

 prohibited Canada importations into United States, the Dominion Gov- 

 ernment (though advocating admission from Great Britain and the Con- 

 tinent on foreign certificate of freedom from infection) would feel impelled 

 to. take the same protective steps as the United States. Of the four Ameri- 

 cans who did not concur, two thought that a foreign certificate would prob- 

 ably accomplish sufficient protection. And two others (members of 

 Congress, one from Pennsylvania and one from New York) pleaded for 

 general admission on the basis of competition lowering the price. Of 

 course, the decision of the Commission was reserved, and no indication 

 of time they would give the decision was given. 



From time to time the economic results of the quarantine were intro- 

 duced. In that relation the statement was made that the crop for 1913 

 was for a ten year average, twelve million bushels above normal. The 

 crop for 1913 amounted to 331 million bushels. The per capita consump- 

 tion lies between three to four bushels. The largest importation ever 

 received was thirteen million bushels. The claim of a shortage this year 

 is due to the comparison with the abnormal crop of 1912. 



