Legal Notes and Verdicts 
55 
Postmaster Patten of New York City cautioned the public against 
using pasters showing the American Flag on mail matter in such a way 
that they would be defaced in cancelling stamps or opening mail. 
* « « 
The Secretary of Agriculture ordered a White Pine blister rust 
quarantine, to become effective May 1. The order prohibited the move- 
ment of White Pines and Black Currant plants from the New England 
States to points outside of New England. 
* * * 
At a conference including among its members 62 officials represent- 
ing State agricultural colleges and commissions from 32 States, which 
met at the request of the Secretary of Agriculture to confer with rep- 
resentatives of that department, various recommendations, including an 
appropriation of $25,000,000 for the use of the department, survey of 
food supplies, regulation of food prices and the mobilization for food 
production were made. 
« * 
A bill was introduced into Congress prohibiting the making of false 
statements in advertisements. 
* 
Gov. J. J. Cornwell of West Virginia proclaimed May 13 as Mother’s 
Day, in accordance with the annual custom in that State. The originator 
of this holiday, Anna Jarvis, is a native of West Virginia. 
^ * 
Alois Frey, of Crown Point, Ind., filed suit against Gebhard Prechti, 
florist of Montebello, to prevent him from harvesting or selling “Frey’s 
Rainbow Freesias,” of which Mr. Frey claimed to be the originator. He 
stated that the defendant had conspired to obtain the bulbs and was 
growing them. 
* * * 
The Gore-Lever food production bill introduced into Congress 
among other provisions provided for a nation-wide survey of prices, 
food corners, acreage and possible production and authorizes the Sec- 
retary of Agriculture to purchase seeds for farmers and distribute them; 
also $2,500,000 for storing seeds. A clause permitting comandeering of 
seeds by the Government was stricken out. 
* * * 
In the War Revenue measure passed by the House of Representa- 
tives letters for local delivery were exempt from the one-cent increase on 
first class matter, letters otherwise were to be three cents and post 
cards two cents. This measure also proposed to add 10 per cent, to 
the prevailing duty on imported stock. Florists and nurserymen pro- 
tested at the interpretation which based this added duty on an ad va- 
lorem basis, claiming it would involve needless expense and litigation. 
* * * 
It was announced that the glass factories were expected to shut 
down May 25, to open probably some time in October, and that the only 
supply available during the Summer would be that in the hands of the 
jobbers. 
* * * 
A bill authorizing an exhaustive food census was passed by Con- 
gress, Monday, May 28, carrying provisions of $14,770,000. Included 
