Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-11
FLY ALLEY PRODUCT
Bad Sanitary Conditions Help
to Breed the Pest.
RULES FOR DETERMINATION
Gustavus Weber Of Department of
Commerce and Labor Gives
Some Advice.

The fly is one Of the evil products Of
the alleys, which all should work to elm
mate. declared Chief Clerk Gustavus
Weber of the Department of Commerce
and Labor in a lecture last evening at
the Ingram Memorial Church, 10th street
and Massachusetts avenue northeast, on
1.-THE Homes of Our Alley Neighbours"
While Mr.. Weber was DESTROYS of see
ing the fly exterminated in any manner,
he thought it could best be done by
starving it. He asked his auditors to
lend their aid in bringing about the ex-
termination of the pest. He read from a
card several rules regarding flies:
Don't tolerate flies.
Don't allow flies in your house.
Don't allow flies on your premises.
Don't allow garbage or rubbish to ac-
cumulate.
Don't allow dirt in the house, look into
every nook and corner.
Don't allow flies in food.
Don't buy foodstuffs where flies are al
lowed, especially milk that is in cans or
bottles covered with flies.
Don't eat where there are flies.
Don't forget screens.
Don't forget to notify the health bureau
of dirty places.
Don't forget. no dirt, no flies!
Plea for Sanitary City.
Mr.. Weber introduced flies as a sub
ject while making a plea for a sanitary
as well as a beautiful city" He urged
his audience to go into the alleys and see
the conditions for themselves and to aid
the health authorities In combating
bad sanitary conditions. He told them
that as teachers of Sunday school class
l.
could go into the homes of the "alley
neighbors" and discover insanitary con-
ditions without seeming to be obtrusive.
Conditions which could not be remedied
by the people themselves &c advised the
notification Of the health department.
He thought, however, that in many cases
good ADVICE to the people living in the
alley homes would De sufficient. For"
he said, many of Them are SO ignorant
that they do not know they are living in
filth"
Working in this manner and through
the children was one Of tine most efficient
ways In promoting the sanitation Of the
city said the speaker. TIE health de-
work and efficient. is wholly inadequate
in size to cope with conditions. AS a
matter Of fact, he said. no city in the
country has been able to employ large
enough department.
Seeks Cooperation.
Among other things Mr. Weber urged
that a better cooperation be secured be-
tween the police and the health depart
ments. I'VE need the police to work
hand-in-hand with the health authorities"
he said. I'VE need still more the help of
the people who want to see their fellow
man lift his feet" In conclusion Mr..
Weber complimented Health Officer
Woodward on the work he has accom-
plished.
Previous to Mr.. Webber's address, DR..
Thomas Jesse Jones, formerly of Hamp-
ton Institute, gave an illustrated lecture
on the alleys of Washington. DR.. Jones
advocated the placing of patrol box
in each alley. where the policemen on the
beat would have to turn in about once
every hour. In this manner, he said, he
thought much of the hidden vice in the
alleys might be broken up. 1t was the
seclusion from criticism that promoted
much of the evils of the alleys, he de-
clared. DR.. Jones showed many maps
giving the location of alleys in the va
rious sections of the city. He also show
ed many pictures of alley homes in their
''tumble-down" condition, with fnef-
ficient toilet arrangements and other
conditions especially conducive to disease.
During the course of his remarks Dr.
Jones accidentally stepped backward off
the platform, falling heavily to the floor
He was able. however, to resume his
talk.
The lectures were given under the aus
pices Of the eastern and southeastern
divisions of the Associated Charities.