176 



niation which is available in his Department upon the question 

 of the chestnut bark disease which is to be considered in a pub- 

 lic meeting in your capital to-morrow. 



I hope that this communication may contain certain informa- 

 tion of value to your people in fighting this very destructive 

 enemy of one of our most beautiful trees, and you have my very 

 earnest sympathy in your efforts to accomplish the desired end. 



Sincerely yours, 

 (Signed) W. H. TAFT." 



(Applause). 



MK. WILLIAMS : This is accompanied by a letter of Secre- 

 tary Wilson, transmitting the information requested by the 

 President, a copy of Bulletin No. 467, and a statement of the 

 present status of the chestnut bark disease, signed by William 

 A. Taylor, acting chief of Bureau. 



It was moved and seconded that the communication be re- 

 ferred to the Committee -on Eesolutions. 

 The motion was put and carried. 



The letter of Secretary Wilson, referred to above in the letter 

 from President Taft, is as follows : 



"Department of Agriculture, 



Office of the Secretary, 

 Washington, February 19, 1912. 

 Dear Mr. President: 



Our experts in the Bureau of Plant Industry have given the 

 chestnut bark disease situation much attention for some time 

 past, and are convinced of the urgency of the present situation. 

 They have prepared the inclosed memorandum which indicates 

 the present status of the chestnut bark disease and the import- 

 ance of prompt action, if its further spread is to be prevented and 

 serious loss to the people of the entire Appalachian region is 

 to be averted. 



Sincerely yours, 



(Signed) JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary. 

 To the President." 



The communication referred to in Secretary Wilson's letter 

 to the President, indicating the present status of the chestnut 

 bark disease, is as follows: 



