Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
FEVER FLIES THAN EVER
Pests Are Growing Less Numerous in
Omaha, Says the Statistician.
ONLY NINE MILLION THIS YEAR
last Season ut This Time, Ac~cOrdinR
TO the Same Authority, the
Number Exceeded Six
teen Million.

There are ever flies in Omaha at present
than at any corresponding time in fourteen
years. This is the statement made by the
statlsticlan. The information was given
voluntarily while the Staosticlan ate a
piece Of pie and glass of milk in a Farnam
piece Of pie and drank a glass of milk In
a Farnam street lunch establishment at
noon Saturday
The statistician is an old man. He said
his name is spratt and that he has devoted
his life 70 the gathering OF statistics. He
has a white beard, which serves also as a
necEtie.
"T1ds is a remarkable year, young man"
he began as he wiped some pie crumbs
from his mouth and looked solemnly at the
slave of the pencil.
yes, It is,' responded the latter cordially.
Tic Statistioian munohed for q moment
in silence and It was plain TO the expert
enced eye of the reporter that he was about
TO say something. The sye-of the reporter
was not mistaken, The statistician spoke.
Flies on the wane.
do you know, sir. that there are less
than half as many flies in Omaha on this,
the 18th day Of July. 1905. than there have
been on any OF the corresponding days IN
the last fourteen years?'
The reporter was nonplussed. He paused
with a torktull OF pate de fois gras half
way to his mouth.
You don't say so;" he exclaimed.
II not only say so. but can prove it, said
the Statlstician, evidently pleased at the
surprise his statement had created. He
drew out a red-covered note book and
turned the well-thumbed pages. The re-
porter was just taking a bite Of lobster
a la Newborg when the Statistician found
what he was looking for.
You see that lemon pie over there" he
said, indicating with his finger. The re-
porter nodded as he took q sip Of cham
payne.
How many flies are there on it7" de-
manded the Statistician.
The reporter set down his champagne
glass and counted.
-Four" he sald.
He Scents Triumph.
The Statistician referred to his note book
with a look that indicated coming triumph.
o. this day last year at this very hour
there were seven flies on that pie,r he
said. AT the corresponding hour the year
before. ninoi at this hour in 1900 there were
thirteen flies on that pie"
but the pie" the reporter CROPPED. 1T
DOESN'T look that old"
oh, no, OF course, I mean the other pies
that have stood in thai place. said the
statistioian. Same kind OF pies, you see"
Remarkable" exclaimed the reporter az
no took a liberal helping of peacock's
tongue one of his favorite dishes.
l have other statistics. which prove the
same thing" said the Statlstician. II"
But the reporter waved him aside.
Il accept your proof" he said.
There are in Omaha today, according
to my careful computation, Q, 4Se,2ss flies.
compared with 16,S52,97S On this date last
year" persisted the statistician. 81 have
them classified here-number in houses.
number in stores. number In the open air,
etc."
The reporter assured him that the total
figures were alone essential and. having
finished his repast, he tossed the waiter a
- gold piece and hurried away to give
.thS figures of the statistician to an any
iods world.