The herald., 1893-12-17
GREAT SCOTT! MORE BUG TALK.
The Horticultural Commission
er Holds His Own.
Now the War with the State Board
Will Be Investigated.
The Proce eedings Yesterday at tho Super
visorial Inquiry into Charges
Against Mr.. John
Scott.

The proceedings to oust MI. John
Scott from his Office of county horticul-
tural commissioner took a decided
change yesterday. The investigation
seems to have narrowed down to look
ing into the charge that Mr.. Scott has
antagonized the state board. The sup
ervisors have evinced desire OF sitting
the matter to the bottom. and it seems
highly probable that the exact relations
existing between Mr.. Scott and the
state board will be known.
The principal feature of the evidence
produced yesterday was letter from
Gov. Markham's secretary stating that
the factions we're willing to cease war
ring. AT the close of yesterdays ees-
sion it was apparent that the fight
against Mr.. Scott will now hardly be
made upon the grounds Of neglect OF
duty, but rather based upon his rela-
tions with the state board.
1t was decided at the close of the
morning session that the trial be post
poned until next Saturday at 10 a. M,
in order to allow the prosecution to de-
termine whether or not they will further
proceed against Mr.. Scott. One of the
points likely to be made against him is
in relation to his having allowed por-
tion OF the lady bugs to die through his
alleged negligence.
DR.. DAVIS OF DOwNEY.
The first witness examined yesterday
was DR.. Davis of Downey. DR.. Davis
was one of the signers OF the petition
asking for the removal of Mr.. Scott. The
witness said that he misunderstood the
nature of the petition when be signed it,
and testified for the purpose OF explain
ing his position. He declared that he
was entirely satisfied with Mr.. Scott's
work, and was convinced of his ability
and judgment. Moreover, he desired to
publicly apologize to Mr.. Scott for hav-
ing signed the petition against hin.
MR.. SCOTT AGAIN.
Mr.. Scott was then called to the stand,
and bis examination, which was begun
Friday, was continued. Mr.. Knox, the
attorney for the prosecution, especially
examined the witness with reference to
the prevalence and spread of the purple
scale at Downey and vicinity. Mr..
S1ott's testimony was substantially
about what was given at hs previous
examination. He had known of the
presence of the scale for several years
past. 1t was on Mr.. Evans place,
who, he thought, wac working
with it. The scale had not, the
witness said, increased or spread materi-
ally. 1t had been originally brought
there from Florida. 1n some OF these
orchards the scale had entirely disap-
peared, while in others it had increased.
The majority of the orchards treated
for black scale by the witness were To-
Gated at Coyina. few were also
treated at Duarte for the black and yell
low scale. These orchards were treated
this season. About five or six orchards
have been fumigated at Vernon and
Los Angeles. The witness was asked to
give the names OF the localities in
debted to the county for iumigating,
and it WAS developed that the greater
part OF the sum-about $5000-was due
from the foothill country.
Mr.. Scott said that he did not go to
Santa Barbara to make an examination
OF the work of the rhizobius on Mr..
Cowper's place. The latter had re-
fused to permit Prof. Coquilette to in
veatigate his premises, and the witness
was of the opinion that he would have
met with similar refusal.
The tirst information of the efficacy of
the rhizobius was received by the COM
missioners' Office within the past three
months, which 10 hardly enough time in
which a careful investigation of the
work can be made. 1t will feed ON the
black scale, and the witness thought il
was necessary to place the bug in the
orchards infested with the black scale,
as the rnizobius had apparently demon
strated it's efficiency.
Judge Knox also u5etioned Mr.. Scott
as to the number of orcharde fumigated,
the number OF colonies of rhizobius dis
tributed throughout the county, and the
SUCCESS or failure attendent upon their
propagation.
The matter OF the attempt of certain
persons 10 petition the legislature not
to appropriate money to the state board,
but to turn it over to- the state univer-
sity, was also introduced, as was the
dissentions among the vorious factions.
THE NATTER CONTINUED.
Judge York renewed the point made
by Supervisor Hanley the day previous,
asking why should the investigation be
continued when it had not been shown
duties or disobeyed the orders of the
board Of supervisors.
Judge Knox opposed THE, and thought
that the matter of the trouble with the
state board should be gone into. There
were certain facts in relation to it which
he would endeavor to prove.
Supervisor Forester thought that the
entire matter should be dropped.
A letter was then produced by Mr..
Scott from Governor Markham's private
secretary announcing the willingness OF
the factions to cease, but stating that so
far as he was personally concerned the
fullest and most searching Investigation
was courted.
After general discussion Supervisor
Cook stated that the board could not
consume all of its time hearing the mat
ter in its present shape. MIR. Knox was
unable or refused to prove at that time
certain things in regard to the state
board controversy. SO the investigation
will be continued for one week.
No Christmas and New Years table should