1907.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT- -No. 73. 19 



As might have been expected, we have encountered a notable 

 dilemma in connection with these allotments. In certain cities 

 required to expend $5,000 before receiving reimbursement - 

 communities often burdened with heavy debt - - there has been 

 a constant protest against expending the total sum necessary, in 

 the opinion of the superintendent, to secure the desired degree 

 of progress in controlling the moths. Further than this, in 

 many cases, since any reimbursement to such cities would not 

 be available until after the 1st of January following the ex- 

 penditures, certain mayors have opposed the increase of indebt- 

 edness for running expenses under their direction, since the 

 benefit of any State help would go to the credit of the succeeding 

 administration, should they fail of re-election. While to those 

 who give first place to the welfare of the public such a considera- 

 tion seems small and unbusinesslike, it has in many cases been 

 an important factor in preventing the proper supervision of 

 funds for the work in hand. 



On the other side of the question, many infested towns of low 

 valuation, where after a nominal local expense the State has 

 been called upon to assume all further cost of work, have shown 

 a notable, and, as a whole, commendable desire to push the work 

 with the utmost vigor, borrowing money to finance the same on 

 short-term notes, and repaying it as reimbursements became 

 available. To steer a clear course between these two widely 

 divergent expressions of public opinion has required the utmost 

 patience and care, and there is no doubt that errors have been 

 made on both sides of the case ; but the superintendent and his 

 advisers have at all times endeavored to insist that the needs of 

 the work should be met as fully as possible, and at the same 

 time that no unwise or extravagant expenditures should be made. 



Early in the year the available funds for 1906 were allotted 

 as above indicated; and as soon as the additional appropriation 

 of $75,000 made by the last Legislature became available, further 

 allotments were made. Late in the fall, when it was apparent 

 that certain cities and towns would not expend their full quota, 

 while others would be obliged to cease operations for lack of 

 funds, various transfers of sums were effected between these two 

 classes of towns, so that the work might be continued in all 



