224. 



SENATOR SPROUL : I am very glad, indeed, to have had an 

 opportunity of looking in on this meeting. When the bill was 

 introduced and considered, it was regarded as largely an ex- 

 periment, and it was thought that probably the State was taking 

 rather large chances in making available so large a sum of money 

 for carrying on a work which nobody at that time seemed to 

 know very much about. I think that, from what I have heard 

 of the results of this meeting, if no other good were accom- 

 plished by the expenditure of the money by Pennsylvania, the 

 initiative taken in investigating this verj^ serious question and 

 in trying to devise ways and means to control the disease,— if 

 no other good out of this meeting has been accomplished, I think 

 that the expenditure was perfectly justifiable. I am glad indeed 

 to hear the expressions from the discoverer of the chestnut 

 blight and others as to the usefulness of this Convention, and 

 I trust that the good work will go on, not only here but every- 

 v.here wliere this disease is threatening so much harm. (Ap- 

 plause). 



THE CHAIRMAN: A request has been made that Deputy 

 CoiumissioiK^r Williams say a word before Ave adjourn, and at 

 the same time advise you hoAV extra reports of this Conference 

 may be secured, if persons wish to have them. 



MR, ^^ ILLIAMS : I had no intention of speaking again. 

 All I can say is that we hope, and the Commission hopes, to 

 have this report transcribed and j)ublished at an early date. 

 When it is printed every person who has registered here, as 

 visitor or delegate, who has come at the behest of his Governor 

 or some institution which he represents, will be sent gratis, 

 through the mails, a copy of this report. Every other person 

 interested in having a copy of the report can make application 

 to the headquarters of tlie Chestnut Blight Commission in Phila- 

 delphia, 1112 Morris Building in that city, and, so far as may 

 be possible, I think their requests will be complied Avith. Just 

 how soon it "will be possible to have this record in print we 

 do not know, but no time will be wasted in the interim. 



I do not think I have anything further to say except to add 

 tliis word : That the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry is 

 interested with all other foresters and all other practical men 



