eee el UAB eOUN SB Ur Tr Gehan dN 9 
THE PESTICIDE MENACE 
By Mrs. Arthur M. Jens, Jr. 
Recently the editor of a farm magazine complained that what he called 
the ‘fish-wildlife-nature cult” has more influence in Washington than all 
people involved in agriculture. This is an exaggeration. But there is no 
doubt of the growing influence of those who demand that wildlife and the 
rest of our environment be considered when highly toxic, non-selective, 
persistent chemical pesticides (which are really biocides) are used. 
These birds died 
after exhibiting 
typical symptoms of 
chlorinated hydro- 
carbon poisoning. 
Courtesy Willow- 
brook Wildlife 
Haven, Glen Ellyn. 
unscientific spraying practices; against denials of damage (or euphemistic 
admission of “some” or “minimal’’); against insistence on laboratory proof 
of pesticide injury when there was often no equipment or money for tests, 
coupled with the ignoring of large numbers of convulsing and already dead 
animals in treated areas; and against bland assertions that there will be 
no harm if the chemicals are used “according to directions.” Not for nothing 
has been the endurance of the epithet “emotional dicky-bird watchers.” 
Back in the years B. C. (before Carson), even the scientists: who 
dared — heroes that they were — to speak out against the new pesticides 
were often treated with disrespect, and worse. But their careful research 
and their outspoken concern were invaluable to the lonely, protesting lay- 
man. While there are many who might be named, some of the more 
courageous of these scientists* are: Drs. C. J. Briejer, Roland C. Clement, 
Clarence Cottam, Frank E. Egler, Roland F. Eisenbeis, Alfred G. Etter, 
E. Raymond Hall, Joseph J. Hickey, A. D. Pickett, Robert L. Rudd, Thomas 
G. Scott, Paul Shepard, and George J. Wallace; among medical men, 
Drs. Morton S. Biskind and Malcom M. Hargraves. Of the many con- 
servation organizations, the National Audubon Society has done as much 
Or more than any other in making itself heard. 
*Limited space prohibits giving their positions. 
