Millions Of Squirrels

John L. Killian, of Vansycle, stated to a reporter that the squirrel problem has become one oí grave moment to the farmers of Umatilla County. Mr. Killian says that one who has not traveled over the flelds and observed the myriads of ground squirrels which are literally eating the erop of the county, or of maay parts of it, has not an adequate idea of the amount of damage being done. He says: 'Tbe eituation is desperate indeed. [ would hesitate to sound sucn a note 5f alarm, but, under the circumstances, it is the duty of everyone who knows the faets to speak, and speak emphatically. Imagine the situation the worst you can, and you will not form an exaggerated idea of the havoc being played in our wheat flelds. I believe I am in a position to know, and I have no fear of everstating the facts. The squirrels travel in enormous colonies and make clean sweeps as the pass along. I would not give three coppers for the piece of wheat they have worked in for a day or two. "Some of our farmers are putting forth every effort to stamp them out, but owing to the fact that many show no disposition to resist the ravages of the pests, and that a large área has been deserted hy farmers, their effort3 are practioally unavailing. Louis Anderson, one of the heaviest wheat growers in the county, is working early and late and making a noble effort to save his erop, but they are defying his attempts and fairly devouring his broad acreage of grain. I have done my best to check them, but am compelled to see my efforts come to naught."