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GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



A I [...TMKNTS OF THE APPROPRIATIONS. 



Under a literal interpretation of the law providing for work 

 airain.-t the irypsy and brown-tail moths, no provision is made 

 f<>r limiting the amount to be expended by any city or town 

 upon which a reimbursement may be claimed from the State. 

 A.8 it wa~ apparent that even a few towns having low liabilities 

 niidit, if so disposed, use up the entire appropriation made for 

 tin- benefit of the whole infested district, it was decided, after 

 a Conference with the Attorney-General and the State Auditor, 

 that, in order to carry out the obvious intent of the law and to 

 IP- a reasonable and just division of State funds among the 

 infested municipalities, it would be necessary to limit the ex- 

 penditures upon which claims for reimbursement might be 

 made. Tlie adjustment of such allotments has been no small 

 part of the work of this office. In each case, the allotment ami 

 c..ii~eipient limitation of expense has been made first with refer- 

 nee t,, the local requirements of the work, and second with ref- 

 erence to the original tinancial liability of the city or town under 

 'he act. In all important cases the needs of the work were 

 thoroughly canvassed by the superintendent, and a final sum 

 1 upon, after conference with the agent in charge of the 

 :rict and frequently with city or town officials. 



