The people's voice., 1958-11-07
A Montanan's
WASHINGTON NOTEBOOK
% Sen. James E. Murray

Sec. to Sen. James E. Murray
Law 85-582, and subsequent appro,
priation of $125,000.
Commissioner Suomela of the Fish
and Wildlife Service recently reported
to Senator Murray that four biologists
went to Fort Benton, Melville and
Billings areas and studied effect of
grasshopper poison on birds, NAM
mails, fish and fish food organisms.
Conclusions reached in this study
indicated no significant harm to small
mammals occupying treated loca-
tions," said Suomela. However, in
several cases, there was a decline in
bird population. Toxaphene-sprayed
areas showed the most drastic reduc-
tions, totaling approximately 81 per
cent, of pretreatment numbers. The
same insecticide alone or in combi-
nation with aldren washed into waters
from upstream areas virtually elimi-
mated fish and fish food through
acute toxic effects. Numerous snakes
and frogs were also killed.
''In view of anticipated heavy
grasshopper infestations throughout
many of the western states next year,
plans are now being made for contin-
uation of the research work We
are confident that this cooperative
approach will ultimately lead to the
development of foundations that can
be applied safely for grasshopper con-
troll. Studies will eventually be ex-
tended to other chemicals used in
wide-scale forest insect operations"
MONTANANS GOT BALL ROLLING
There is a point worth making in
connection with both of these new
laws. They were passed, and will ben
eft the whole west, because some
local citizens in Montana became
aroused over health conditions, in one
instance, dead fish in the Yellowstone,
in the other instance, and asked their
congressman to do something about
it. The congressional delegation was
able to deliver, and now the whole
country as we'll as Montanans will |
benefit. The moral is: 1t pays to
write your senators and representa- |
tives.
NEW PLENTYWOOD POSTOFFICE
The Postoffice Department has
completed it's survey on space and |
equipment at Plentywood and deter
mined that new quarters should be
provided. The Department is now try
ing to obtain options on suitable
Site If it can do so, for reasonable
sum-, the Department advised the
delegation last week,
it will authorize construction as soon
as funds are available.
GLASGOW LAGOON
Time was when, if someone men
Toned lagoon, you would think of
ropical moon, the Crosby Groom, or
he lagoons of Venice. Certainly you
think of anything as unro- t
mantle as sewage. But that was in
he old days, before the water pollu-
ion control act, which the Montana
delegation strongly sup +
ported and for which it is trying to
;et continued appropriations for fed !
raj grants, despite Administration
pposition. I
Almost every week the delegation :
5 notified that some additional Mon !
ana community is going to build ade-
uate sewage facilities, thanks to a
ederal grant on a matching basis. :
.atest to receive a grant is Glasgow.
he Department of Health, Educa- :,
ion and Welfare okayed a grant of :
46,50O, toward construction of an .
utfall sewer, sewage lagoon and i'm :
rovements to existing lift station. =
'otal cost will be 100000.
IADISON RIVER PROJECT +
The Montana congressional delega- v