770 
ARMY VETERINARY LEGISLATION. 
committee about that. The minority of the committee had 
nothing to do with it; but as a member of the minority, and 
speaking for the veterinary surgeons of this country, and for the 
best interests of the animals that will be in the Army, I think 
this amendment should be adopted, and I hope every friend of 
the horse will vote for it. 
Mr. Hay. Mr. Chairman, I am sorry that I can not agree 
with the gentleman from New York [Mr. Sulzer], because after 
a careful consideration of the provision contained in the amend¬ 
ment proposed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Bing¬ 
ham], after hearing all the evidence which was adduced before 
us, I came to the conclusion that it would not be for the benefit 
of the surgeons to have the Veterinary Corps established in the 
form in which it is provided in the Senate bill. 
In the first place it creates a new bureau down here in the 
War Department. It creates a new staff biireau, and we may 
expect that bureau to be built up as other bureaus have been, 
at considerable cost. Moreover, the present Veterinary Corps, 
if they are given rank such as was suggested by the chairman 
of the committee*[Mr. Hull], should be satisfied. That is all 
they ought to ask for. They have worked very well so far. 
They have done good service up to this time, and the animals 
of the Army have not suffered, so far as I have been able to as¬ 
certain. Therefore I do not see why we should create a new 
bureau in the War Department, at a considerable expense, when 
there is no necessity for it, and when these veterinary surgeons 
can have the rank which will give them the authority they now 
say is necessary in order to enable them to carry on their work 
in the Army. I hope, therefore, that the committee will vote 
down the amendment. 
Mr. Games. What does the bill provide with reference to 
veterinary surgeons? 
Mr. Hay. The bill does not provide anything with refer¬ 
ence to veterinary surgeons, as it now stands ; but, as I under¬ 
stand it, the probability is that in conference these surgeons 
will be given the rank of second lieutenants of cavalry. 
Mr. Gaines. The bill does provide for veterinary sur¬ 
geons. 
Mr. Hay. Oh, yes ; it provides for the employment of 
them now, but it does not provide for a bureau here. 
Mr. Adams. Mr. Chairman, I ask the attention of the 
House for one minute while I submit some reasons why this 
amendment should be inserted in this bill. 
