The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-08-18


EicultuTaI Department. has devoted the
greater part OF his life 10 the study Of
bugs, and he has come to be regarded
as one of the foremost authorities on
The habits and lives Of the insects and
their capacities for doing harm to the
crops and flowers Of this country He
has been in the department for several
wears. and has conducted some Of The
most important investigations had IN
der the auspices OF The chief in ento-
mology, Dr. L O. Howard This divj-
sion IS doing a great deal toward find
ing out The evil habits CT bugs and in
prescribing compounds for their destruc-
ton
Mr. Pratt is a native Of ENGLAND He
was employed in the great British Mu-
scum in his early days, and there gained
some idea OF the Importance OF appa-
emily Insignificant creatures. While still
q boy he sailed for America He was
Immediately natuTalized and soon had
position in the Agricultural Department.
He was employed as a messenger for
few years. and he devoted all the time
at his command to the study Of bugs
and TO experiments OF various kinds. In
few years he had acquired extensive
knowledge in the work OF studying the
habits OF bugs and in preparing them
for permanent exhibition He has lab
orat0Ty in small building near the
main building. and there he has done
most Of his work. although he occa-
siOnaily goes into the field He has
been promoted from the position of mes
SengeF 70 that of assistant in the divi-
sion The rise is due to a distinguished
fitness for the work and for persistent
volunteer work
In 1900 II
chief to Investigate the theory advanced
by the heads Of the War Department
that lies we're capable of transmitting
typhoid germs, and that they did trans
nit germs and infect hundreds OF sol
diers and others. He went 10 Leesb.rg
Gaithersburg and Shakers, making pa
tent investigation of the ways of flies
and their travels after waIIowing in
filth The results Of the invests CATION
were given 70 the public il bulletins II
was found that flies did spread typhoid
and that numerous cases were directly
traceabIe to those familiar pests. IN
consequence Of close attention TO the
duties imposed on him. Mr. Pratt took
typhoid fever himself and in November
vas stricken He had a severe case
OF the disease. His investigations WeTe
thoroughly made and the results ac-
eepted as final proof that the flies are
oisseminators Of disease
Mr. Pratt was also sent out to study
the Eays Of mosquitoes and 10 ascertain
II they we're common carriers in the way
Of disease. He is now domicned near
Four-MiIe Run in the hope Of demon
strating the part Of the mosquitoes in
scattering the germs that cause malaria
He has been on several trips OF the kind
and has been on five journeys to remote
sections TO give expert testimony in re-
gard 70 the agency Of mosquitoes il ma
larious visitaIiOns- The apartment has
been bombarded with inquiries on this
subject, and determined effort has been
made TO fix the responsibility for maIa-
rial troubles so far IS Il relates TO She
fayorite bird of New Jersey
In the office Of the entOmOlOZIst Mr..
Pratt's main duty Is the mounting OF
bugs and the study Of their life and
habits The object is to get their haf,1ts
down on the books 50 that remedial
treatment may be applied The perna-
nent exhibits are IN the National Nu-
scum. and only the working coIlea ions
are kept in the chronological depart
ment- The numerous varieties Of beetles
are studied in every phase. and the but
letins issued after the experiments hayL
terminated are complete guides to farm
ers for treatment and determination
Beetles attack every variety % tree and
shrub and do millions Of 5ollars' worth
OF damage every year The exports have
discovered the ways Of beetles, the time
and means 70 destroy them.
Mr. Pratt's room IS replete vita sDecf- I
mems CT various pests. The work Of
mounting them is tedious and delicate /
He has become expert in the business
by practice since 1892
Mr.. Thomas B. Eaton. who has for
years been one OF the most efficient /
messengers in the Pension Omce, was
appointed to a clerkship in that bureau
on Saturday last. This weIl-deserved I
promotion comes through n competitive
examination held some time since in /
which Mr. Eaton made most excellent
average. Mr. Eaton is a native Of IN (
diana, and was appointed TO the posi- 1
ton Just vacated By reason Of promo /
ton n 1893 BY his untiring energy he 4
soon became one Of the useful employees 4
Of this vast Government workshop.
Mr.. Eaton Is a veteran Of the civil war.
having served throughout the troubIous 1
times OF '6I-'65 in the Thirtieth Indi- I
ana Infantry, the regiment commanded
by the late General Lawton. Enlisting
Al Indianapolis early in the war. Mr.
Eaton followed his regimental flag dur
ing many aTduous and trying campaigns
throughout the South and Southwest IN
III mustered out al Victoria, Texas. NJ
the close Of the war. Mr. Eaton is
member Of the G. A P, and is a proni-
nent Odd Fellow.
Mr. Alfred L Leonard, assistant chief
Of The certificate division OF the Pen
sion 9f"e, left Saturday for a months
visit and recreation in the mountains OF
Pennsylvania His objective point is
BlueFidge Summit. in the heart Of the
Alpine region Of the Keystone State.
A cG1ored enDloye at the Treasury
Department adds a tribute to the many
already paid 10 the memory OF Senator
Mcmillan. He says: His magnificent
git Of $4,000 10 the Mary Allen Sem
mary. OF Crockett Texas, completed us
endowment for the education OF colored
girls. As a member Of the coIored race
cannot out feel very grateful
Anchored in good position under the
Secretary OF the Treasury is a man who
believes that the next war this country
engages IN Wiz be with the English
spsrrows- He has been about over the
country some and concludes that in a
few years the Government VIII have to