26 THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



be infected \vith dangerous diseases or of any which had 

 recently been exposed to such diseases. The so-called cattle 

 quarantine act/' which authorizes the Secretary of Agri- 

 culture to establish a quarantine in any state or district 

 found to be infected with contagious diseases of animals, 

 has the same general object, that is, the protection of the 

 live stock industry. 



One very potent force in bringing about this legislation 

 was the prohibitions that had been established by foreign 

 countries against American live stock and animal products 

 and the consequent injury to the live stock business. 



That the measures taken were effective is attested by 

 President Harrison who said in his message to Congress in 

 December, 1891 : 



If the establishment of the Department of Agriculture was re- 

 garded by any one as a mere concession to the unenlightened demand 

 of a worthy class of people, that impression has been most effectually 

 removed by the great results already obtained. . . . The inspection 

 by this Department of cattle and pork products intended for ship- 

 ment abroad has been the basis of the success which has attended 

 our efforts to secure the removal of the restrictions maintained by 

 European governments.** 



Two other measures which relate directly to the live stock 

 industry are the so-called twenty-eight hour law/'* and the 

 virus act.^" The former of these is not so much intended 

 to foster the live stock industry as to protect the animals 

 themselves. Its enactment was brought about largely as a 

 result of the work of humane societies. Briefly, it pro- 

 hibits the confinement in railroad cars and boats of all 

 animals in course of interstate transit for a period longer 

 than twenty-eight hours without being unloaded for feed, 

 water, and rest for at least five hours, except that, upon 

 written request in advance, the period may be extended to 

 thirty-six hours. Carriers may relieve themselves from the 

 operation of this law by supplying the required facilities for 



*3Act of March 3. 1905, 33 Stat. L. 1264. 

 ** Messages and Papers, vol. ix, p. 206. 

 *5 Act of June 29, 1906, 34 Stat. 1.. 607. 



*« Act of July I, 1902, 32 Stat. L. 728; Act of Mar. 4, 1913, 37 Stat. 

 L. 828. 



