Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-13
TO RID NEW ORLEANS OF ANTS.
Priest to Lead Crusade Against An
noying Visitor From Central America.

From the New Orleans Times Democrat.
Father Albert Biever Of Loyola College
is going to lead crusade against ants. He
is going to tell how to rid the city of these
million billions of little insects that have
gradually come to the conclusion that this
town is their own to run and rule as they
please.
Father Biever, who Is recognized au-
thority in matters pertaining to insect life
has made close study of the ant, with spe-
cial attention to those varieties found in
New Orleans. Ants have increased with
such rapdity during the last few years,
says Father Biever, that their destruction
Is of great Importance, not only because
of the annoyance and inconvenience they
occasion, but also because of the serious
economic damage they bring about
These insects. SO says the scientist, are
a serious problem to the truck farmer and
to the landscape gardener. They make their
nests around the roots Of plants, eat the
foliage of shrubs, sap the life out of trees
Father Biever remarked that many trees
along st. Charles avenue have been killed
by ants, and that these insects We're pre-
venting the growth of the younger plants
on the boulevards. As~for their relation to
were perpetually obtrusive. They take pos
session of the refrigerator, burrow in the
cellar, dig in the sugar barrel, fall into the
syrup key and make themselves at home
almost everywhere.
Father Biever is now preparing an ac-
count of his studies of ants their habits
and the best means of Kidding the COM
munity of these depredators This he will
give to the public in short time. He says
the ant which is taking possession of New
Orleans is an alien and halls from Central
America, from where 1t was perhaps
brought in fruit ships. These ants make
have driven almost all the natives away
thus claiming the entire field for them
selves.
The citizens of this city have made all
sorts of efforts to circumvent the attacks of
these insects. but have generally given up
in despair. If a bunch of ants decide to
raid a sugar bowl on the top shelf Of a
pantry there is nothing that can prevent
them. You may stave them off for an hour
or two, but they will go off and consult
and when they come back that sugar Is as
good as theirs: Go in the homes of this
city and you will see the bottom of refriger-
ators epcircled with ant-kiling tape, which
often doesn't kill; the bed posts will be
setting inepans of coal oil. and still the ants
parade around at their own sweet will
Father Biever has big proposition on his
hands, but believes that he can accomplish
much with his plan.
Suit Filed Here,
The contest over the estate of Mrs. Ellen
NJ. Cotton was called to the attention of
the Supreme Coprt of the District by pe-
tition filed today in the Probate Court On
behalf Of Helene NJ. B. Sacher through At
torneys r. Golden Donaldson and B. w
Parker. The petition asks for the issu anl
of letters of collection on the estate ard
for rule to show cause against the cxecu-
tor named in the will why he siIoulG not
return to this jurisdiction stocks and bonds
to the value of $4,000. alleged % lave
been received from local trust company
The paper sets forth that the testatrix
left stocks and bonds TO the value of $55O.O0
in this city The petitioner claims that the
will should have been filed here and not in
California, as according to her contention,
the bulk of the estate was located in the
District, only small part Of it being in
California,
The purpose of the suit 1t is stated. is to
have the will case tried in the local courts.