L'L'.J 



Ix'tMi ;i j;i-e;il piivilc.uc lo inc. I feci iluil we have really aceoui- 

 plislied soinetliinjj; lici-c which is woi-lh while, and J trust that 

 the good that has hccii done will l>c reco^iiizcd nioi-e and more 

 as time passe.s. 



There are two geinlcnicn in the r(»om who, 1 :ini sni-e, every- 

 (>iie wishes to hear li'oni before we adjourn. Several lim(;s dur- 

 ing our eouferenee mention has been made of the lirst discovery 

 of the chestnut tree blight, and the name of the gentleman w ho 

 discovered it has been mentioned several times. I think we 

 ought to ask him formally to come before us, and make a few 

 remarks. I refer to Mv. Merkel, of New York. 



IMK. .MERKEL: I do not know what Mr. Pearson wants me 

 to say; whether he is wishing for blarney or not. I can only 

 say that I came in order to hear the opinions of everybody 

 expressed. I am glad that the resolutions that were adox)ted 

 were adopted, in spite of the fact that there were some people 

 who did not agree with them. I believe that the work of this 

 Congress to-day is epoch-making. I believe we have advanced a 

 vast step. We have gone further yesterday and to-day by miles 

 than we were the day before. I hope that we can save the chest- 

 nut tree. My fondness for trees in general is the only reason 

 that brought me here; bnt that I should be pushed into the lime- 

 light thus, — a modest violet like I am, — was not my intention. 



THE CHAIRMAN: Frequently during our discussion we 

 have heard about the need of constructive work. The one man 

 of the entire State, and I dare say the entire world, who has 

 made possible the greatest constructive work against the Chest- 

 nut Tree Blight Disease is now in the room, and I must call 

 upon the father of the measure which is responsible for the 

 effective work in Pennsylvania for a few words, Senator Sproul. 

 (Applause). 



SENATOR SPROUL: Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: A 

 member of the Senate is generally safe in the House, and I did 

 not know that anyone in any official caj^acity knew I had come 

 over here. 



THE CHAIRMAN : We all know vou. 



