The Washington herald., 1909-07-09
PEOPLE AND THINGS
The BattIe AeaInst sIoth..

The Battle Against Moths.
Massachusetts continues its battle
against the destructive moth. The region
along its north shore, adjacent TO Presi-
dent Tafts summer home. IS one center
Of the crusade, which has used this sea
son 900 tons OF arsenste OF lead in spray
ing trees and employed the services OF
100 men. The expense OF this work falls
upon the State. These are not the only
weapons employed. The breeding and re-
leasing OF parasites in the areas infested
have had gratifying results. IN some 10
oalities. II Is said. these parasites have
killed 80 per cent Of the gypsy and brown
tail moths. and the conclusion IS that
their use IS vastly cheaper and more
satisfactory than the system OF spraying
trees with chemicals. IN the Connecticut
Valley the work is reported also 10 be
making satisfactory progress.
Put This in Your Pipe.
The National Capital. being almost
without manufacturing industries, save
those connected with the building trades.
Is comparatively In blissful ignorance
concerning the evil nuisance smoke. But
Chief Engineer Wilson. OF the Geodetic
Survey. told the International Society for
the Prevention Of Smoke at its recent
meeting in Syracuse. n Y. that the
damage due TO smoke in the United
states every year amounts % more than
S69o00o.0o0 The bin OF Chicago. alone IS
S0.CQo0oo. Nor Is this money cost the
worst Of the evil Breathing coal smoke
invites tuberculosis and favors pneu-
monia; hence the estimate that its waste
OF human life includes 1l2,5O0 men, wom-
en-, and children each year. II these lives
be translated into economic figures on
the usual statistical basis employed by
insurance companies. they mean loss 70
the productive capacity OF the nations OF
s27a0oe.0C9 year. Smoke means waste
also Of fuel because II Is the result OF
imperfect combustion To increase the
efficiency OF coal Is indirectly 10 prolong
the supply. Thus economy re-enforces
humanitarianism in the efforts 20 stop
this harmful waste.
a Cfty'S Historic Name.
Norwich. Conn. the Rose OF New
England" had a narrow escape from
being called MOhegsn. As early as 1850
the General Court noted that one John
brewster had ventured "to set up a trad
ing house AZ AIohegan" without its per
mission. which II. nevertheless. proceeded
20 grant. Again in 165s. the General
Court granted a petition from dwellers
at ''Mohegin.' provided they do effect
a plantation IN the place propOunded."
These "reminiscences, anent the visit Of
President Taft. have caused the publica-
ton Of a letter from Dr. Oliver Wendell
Holmes who wrote. - have G very
pretty letter from Norwich. in COunecrl-
cut, telling ne Of two noble elms which
are 70 be seen IN that town-One hundred
and twenty-seven feet from bough-snd 10
bough-end What do YOU say 10 that
And gentle ladies' beneath Il. that love
Il and celebrate its praises. And that
in town OF such supreme. audacious.
Alpine loveliness as Norwich, Only the
dear people there must learn 70 -cau Il
Norridge, and not be misled By the mere
accident OF spelling"
A P0rtra3t OF Ante-BeIIum Days.
L is proposed that Kansas shall buy
a portrait Of Gov. A H Reeder. now
hanging IN a hotel IN Kansas city, No
Gov. Reeder had been indicted for treason
when he made his escape 20 Missouri
George p. Wilder, of Chanute who aided
IN the escape. recalls the adventure. he
Nas a lad OF ten when he drove the buggy
that carried the governor out of the
Territory. The other member OF the party
was Mrs Eldredge, a prominent pioneer
woman The three narrowly escaped
capture by guerrillas- The boy did not
know that he was assisting IN an escape,
but simply o5eyed the Instructions Of an
elder brother. The governor was dis
guised as a farmer. He went down the
river On q steamboat as q deck hand. He
was elected with John lane 10 the United
States Senate IN 1S56 in anticipation that
Kansas would become a state. but that
did not occur until five years afterwar6
At the time OF his escape the governor
had been indicted. together with other
Free Soil leaders. by the grand Jury Of
Douglas County. FOR high treason.