The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-06-29
After Cooperation by Gov
ernment, Work Will BE
Taken Over by State.
DECISION REACHED
AT A MEETING HERE
After Fight Of Four Years,
Federal Entomologists
See Ultimate Victory.

Z Spotted fever dangers in the
Victor district Of the Bitter Root
valley have so we'll been beaten
back by government entoroto-
gists that the United States will
withdraw its forces at the end Of
June and turn over the work to
the state.
This was decided yesterday after
noon at a meeting of the Montana
state board OF entomology, held in the
Florence hotel Dr. l.. d. Fricks Of
Washington. who has been working on
the wood tick problem at Victor for
four years, will return to the national
capital, and Roscoe w. Wells, an en-
tomologist who has been working di-
recuy under DR.. I'ricks for q month
after long experience with spotted fe-
YER Investigations, will take charge of
the station. for the rest of the sum
mer, at least.
Experts in Session.
At the session OF the state board
We're DIR. CogsWell. secretary of the
state board of health; Or. Butler, state
veterinarian, and K. A. Cooley, p. Fl.
d. state entomologist, all members of
the board, and DR.. Willard V. King,
representative of the United States
public health service for the Florence
district, and Roscoe w. Wells.
The business of the session was con-
sideration of the decision of the public
health service at Washington. that
through the work of DIR. t'ricks, it
had developed tick control work to
such an extent in the Victor district
of the Bitter Root valley, that the state
should now step in to continue the
work. The board heard a report from
DR.. F'riclls of his work in the Bitter
Root valley for the four years, and
received valuable suggestions from
him as to methods and means of it's
continuance.
Dr.. Fricks Praised.
The board went upon record as
thanking the United States public
health service for it's valuable Worl
accomplished through DIR. Fricks ant
expressing regret that with its many
other problems. it should be felt nee
essary to discontinue the work in tn
Bitter Root valley. in the one district.
1t is expected that DR.. King will con-
tinue his service for the national de-
partment in the Florence district.
Progress Satisfying.
1t should be a source of satisfaction
to residents of western Montana, as
well as to the state board, to find the
records showing the ravages of spot
ted fever steadily decreasing. Their
have been only five cases of the dis
ease in the Bitter Root valley this
season, all fatal. There We're sever
cases the year before. Records SHOW
10 cases of spotted fever in Montan;
outside of the Bitter Root valley thi
season.
Wells to Take Charge.
When asked in regard to plans fol
continuing the work of DR.. Fricks, DR.
Cogsweil said that the season wa
about completed for work in tick con
troll this year. and that Roscoe Well
has been gaining knowledge of Dl
| F'ricks' methods, SO that he is abb
| to have charge of the work for tn
remainder of the summer. Plans wi
| be made later for the work to b
done next season.
Mr.. Wells is a graduate of the Uni
| versity of Montana and though onl
a young man has accomplished a grea
! deal in his work under the state boar
| of entomology.