Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21

Scientists in general and bugologists In
particular are as much in quandary as to
what the seventeen-year locusts do with
the earth they necessarily displace in max
ing their exits as the ordinary run of peo
pie" explained an Agricultural Department
official to a Star reporter. "All that is
positively known is that the locust energies
from the ground and leaves a hole to mark
the particular place. These holes are all
the way from six to ten feet deep. and are
nearly a third of an inch in diameter
There are from two to three pints of earth
which. of course, has to go somewhere. OF
course as the locust had number of years
to do the work. and nothing to do but
work the job is always pretty well done
Certain it is that the hole is clean-cut af-
fair and very nicely done. There is no sign
of refuse outside of the hole.
The general theory is that the earth has
been compre ssed. on the principle involved
in driving a stake rod into the ground,
which leaves the hole when it is drawn out
of the ground. But there is somewhat of
a difference from driving stake down into
the ground and driving one up. In the
latter case there is an enormous weight for
an insect which can only work by humping
up its back. though II seems to succeed in
doing it. There was quite animated dis
cussion on this same question on the occa-
sion Of the last visitation of the locusts.
but there was no settlement of It,
zone day this week | saw curious state
of affairs among the birds and other ami
mails in Lafayette square" said an obServ-
ing gentleman. AT the first of the week
the authorities turned loose about 100 squr-
rels in the trees of the square. Sixty of
these Were what is known as flying squir
reIs. while the other forty were of the regu-
lar tree squirrel of a small size. much
smaller than the gray squirrel. The little
squirrels seemed to have lots of fun run
ming from tree to tree and climbing high
into tha limbs of the big trees. They soon
disturbed the English sparrows that haunt
the square and build their nests in every
convenient spot haven't had time to in
vestigate what the outcome has been. but
/ watched the antics of the sparrows for
two hours one day They resented the in
trusion of the squirrels and followed the lit
tie animals all over the square. wherever
they would go. The sparrows Chartered like
crazy birds and did everything possible to
make the squirrels that they objected
to their presence. Squads of twenty or
thirty sparrows would follow a squirrel
wherever it went and chatter in its ears
until it would sometimes for relief to
another tree. If it climbed the tree they
flew close to il and made their peculiar
noises If it came down they followed it
around on the ground. l suppose their in
tention was TO run the squirrels out of the
park"
President Roosevelt makes use of every
moment OF the day. Even the twenty min
utes he is in the hands of his barber is put
to good use in considering public business.
This ia much-Coveted time by some of his
more intimate friends, for then it is that
the caller has a splendid opportunity to
argue with the President man who has
the privilege of talking to the President
while he is being shaved considers that he
has a rare opportunity.
II always reserve matters that 1 want to
present fully until 1 get chance at the
Presid mt in the BARRIERS chair" said an
intimate friend of The Star reporter today
The President is so fully occupied that if
he considers he has heard enough of a mat
ter brought to his attention he will make a
decision concerning it or suggest that it be
handled in some particular way. OF course.
when he disrnisses a matter in this way it
Is about impossible to revive it, but let me
have him in the BARRIERS chair his face
covered with lather and the sharp edge of
the razor playing about his Adams apple so
that he cannot bulge sufficiently to nod
his head or shake it. and L am master of
the situation l know his habits of shaw
ing. and when | have a hard nut to crack
with him l call about that time. l talk
with him fifteen or twenty minutes without
single interruption. If he is inclined to
make a decision when l am half through
he Is forced 10 reserve his opinion. and By
the time the barber is through if | haven't
carried my point. then it is my own fault
and l blame no one else tel you it is
great thing TO make fifteen-ninute speech
to the President. seeing him protest with
his eyes. but unable to put in a word
Senator Stewart was making a speech on
the canal bill in the Senate few days ago
when quite a large company of senators
was assembled in ore of the cloak rooms at
the rear Of the chamber. Mr.. Stewart was
expounding his view on the subject under
consideration. There was absolute quiet
within the Senate chamber. caused rather
by the fact that only eight senators were
on the floor and the galleries We're but
partly filled rather than because of the
good behavior of senator's In the rear
there could be heard low hum OF voice S
from the cloak room. where senators were
smoking and chatting socially. The doors
leading 10 this restful retreat were wide
open. most of the doors leading
into the chamber in order to give every
inducem. ut possible for cooling breezes to
enter Suddenly Senator Stewart stopped
talking. and looking through a book of
reference in order 10 reinforce a state
ment he had just made by reading from a
former report on the canal project made by
Admiral Ammen. Intense silence reigned
within the chamber. when suddenly pene
trating voice with a metallic ring was
clearly heard throughout the Senate on
floor and in galleries.
We'll, l don't care d-n. was the
well defined sentiment enunciated good
naturally by a senator in the cloak room
The words foated through the chamber
and the official SteEographer looked up as
II uncertain whether they should be re-
ported 1t was but few minutes until
two pages ran to the entrance of the cloak
room and gently closed the swinging doors
Every day IS Major Sylvester's busy day.
The office of chief of police is no sinecure.
II Is not only the professional thief who
causes trouble and sleepless nights on part
Of the superintendent. but the trivial mat
ters well. Yet. II the chief were to re-