The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-04-06
Modern Pied Piper Rid the Coun-
try Of 100000 Rats Last
Year, by Government Count.
SAYS PESTS ARE ON INCREASE
theoretically, II Rat Population In
oreases In Next 100 Years as It
Has In Last is. the Rat VIII
Destroy Human Race.

Washington.-Th modern Pied Pi-
per, J. L. Nicholes, was In town the
| other day, and he brought the sad
news that rats are on the increase.
Even with all the rat-killing cam
paigns, and with the interest of the
public aroused, these pests are -four
ishing. Rats are being killed by the
million, but the surviving mothers, sis
ters and cousins and aunts energetical-
ly Offset the tribal losses by building
up new and widening family circles.
Mr.. Nicholes is not gloom dis
penser. For seven years he has con-
Quoted rat-killing campaigns. He has
swatted the rat cheerfully and with
telling effect. He says that last year
he rid the country of 100000 rats,
by government count. But the out
look Is that, theoretically, If the rat
population Increases for the next 100
years as 1t has In the last 10 years, the
rat will destroy the human race.
They Are Costly "Pets."
Mr.. Nlcholes says that In 1910 rats
IN the United States destroyed SSO,OOO,-
600 worth Of food and other property.
In 1916. the amount was $180,OOO 900;
In 1919, $500, 100000, and this year rats
are expected to do $1,000, 10000 worth
Of damage.
And that Is not the worst Of rats as
pests. They are among the most effi-
cient disease carriers that we have.
They have taken the bubonic plague
all over the world. Their connection
with typhoid, scarlet fever, diphtheria,
meningitis and tuberculosis is also be-
Ing investigated. Rats, are fiea-infest-
ed creatures, and that alone makes
them both dirty and dangerous. They
are pests to be attacked relentlessly.
This modern Pied Piper has no pipe,
and he has never tried charming rats
with music. But he has studied rat
character and intelligence, and he ap-
piles his knowledge to bring about the
rats downfall After hearing Mr..
Nicholes talk about their cleverness, It
seems likely that rats have changed
since the Hamelln town Pied Piper
story. The rats Of 1891 never hesi-
tated In following magic tune. we are
told. But you cannot help fancying
that the 1922 rat would merely have
smiled impudenuy at the piper and
have wrapped his tail securely about
his ears to shut out the dangerous
notes. i
Mr.. Nlcholes says that rats distin- !
guish between different colors. If bait |
is put on number Of papers, some red,
some white, and some blue, the rats |
will eat the food on one kind Of paper |
and Will avoid the other colors. Pre-
sumably they try one type Of food, and
II that seems satisfactory they con-
tinue to eat as long as It lasts. If they
try the bait on blue paper and like that
they Will ignore the red and white pa
per and eat only the blue.
Most Cunning OF Animals.
Rats are the most cunning Of animals,
Mr.. Nicholes says. He tells Of case
In which basement was overrun with
rats which were almost tame. One day
a trap was set In the basement. A rat
ran along the floor directly toward the
trap. Suddenly he saw the danger and
tried to stop so quickly that he slid on
his launches and caught himself only
a few inches from the trap door. He
scampered away hastily. and evidently
spread the exciting news Of the trap,
for no more rats came out all after
noon.
Tint rodents warn one another Of
danger Is further shown by Mr.. Mich
oles In story of Lexington market.
Several years ago Mr.. Nicholes con-
Quoted rat-killing campaign In Balti-
more, and cleared this market Of 1900
rats. For year, which Is about six
rat generations, there were no more
rats in the market. 1t may be that the
survivors told all Of their friends about
the terrible massacre Of the market
placs. After that the tear wore ofE, J