Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-12-30
(By Our Helena Correspondent


ing Expenses of Entomology Laboratory
(By Our Helena Correspondent
M%ontana's state highway fund has
been enriched 81 500. 1866 from the
three-cent tax on gasoline from Feb
ruary when the new law went into ef-
feet until December Is, according to
figures compiled In the office of the
state board Of equalization OF which
James ii. Stewart Is chairman. The
tav for the first Is days OF this month
reached S99.885.68. which 1t Is thought
will be doubled by January 1. .Collec-
tions for November reached S209, 1865,
but a drop is expected this month due
to cold weather, which materially af-
fects the operation of motor vehicles
on the state highways.
Other license tax collections for the
first is days Of this month by the state
board are oil production, SS51.45; coal
$358.98. cement, $6.16; carline. 163. IT,
and metal mines. S932.41.
Thirty-tllree hunters working under
the direction of r. E. Bateman, leader OF
predatory animal control in Montana, ac-
counted for Is bobcats, 262 coyotes, two
badgers. "A porcupines, 583 magpies and
a SIX nix n weasel during the month
Of No ember. according to a report to
the state fish and game commission.
The majority of the pests were killed
with the use OF poisoned bats. During
the fall months the men engaged in the
work are presented with worthless horses
by the stockmen of the state. These ami
mails are placed in pastures and corrals
and as soon as the weather permits are
taken u n killed. The flesh is cul
into small cubes and these are scattered
over q certain area. As soon as the bats
have attracted the attention of preda-
tory animals, such as the coyotes, GER
tain Of the pieces of meat are inoculatec
with a poison capsule, and then the
death rate increases rapidly among the
varmints. So successful have the hunt
ers been, that certain localities have &C.
tually been cleared of predator beasts.
Montana will have little expense at
tached to the new state entomology lab.
oratory at Hamilton If the recommenda
ton of DR.. r. r.. Spencer, federal man IL
charge Of spotted fever work in thos state
to the federal government is realized
Dr.. Spencer has proposed that the fed
eral government pay three-fourths Of thu
operating expenses of the laboratory ano
a certain rental, which 1t is said. would
materially assist the state. A copy o.
the recommendations was presented K
the state board Of examiners by DR.. w
+. CogSWell, secretary OF the state boarc
of health, and approval given.
The state legislature appropriated 500.
900 for the construction Of the new lab
oratory at Hamilton to be used in devel
oping insects and serum to combat spot
ted fever In Montana. 1t Is the first O
its kind in the United States and Is re
ceiving favorable publicity in man.
states of the union.
approximately $780, 900 In general fun
warrants registered on or before Febru
airy %, 1927. were paid with interest a
the state treasurer's office December &c
this being the last call in 1927.
With the balance of warrants in tn
hands of the public, which will be callet
about February /. 1928, the state will b,
April l, 1923, have approximately SO,
soc, 900 for the various investment fund
Of the schools, according to State Treas
urer w. E. Harmon.
Extensive use Of electric power in TIN
ever increasing industries of Montani
and the need of reclamation projects vii
demand the development of more powe
plants and dam sites in the state in tn
opinion Of j. S. James, state engineer.
Fright now" says Mr.. James, 9TH
power developed is practically all con
sumed and it is the appreciation of thi
fact that the Rocky Mountain Powe
company wants to develop more powe
on the Flathead river in Lake county.
IF the plant is realized it will meal
1000, 900 acre feet of water storage. TIL
company proposes to keep a low waite
level of 1885 feet at all times and a higl
water mark Of 1893 feet or q margin 0
some over eight feet"