Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-30
FLY WAR NEAR END
SWatters to Make Last Re-
turns This Afternoon.
CRUSADE OF FIVE MONTHS
Aggressive Campaign in the Inter
est of Public Health.
CASH PRIZES AS INCENTIVE
Winning Competitors to Be An
nounced, Following the Com
pilation of Figures.
CASH PRIZES AS INCENTIVE

The Stars anti-fiy war, lasting five
months. conceded by scientists and sani-
tarians throughout the country to have
been the most successful campaign ever
undertaken in any city for the eradica-
ton of the disease-spreading insects.
formally terminates today.
Stimulated by the accomplishments of
the crusade, residents Of Washington will
continue the hostilities until cold weather
has driven the survivors Of the season
into winter retreat, but the youths who
have participated in the campaign will
lay aside their implements today with
the satisfaction of knowing that their
city has attracted the attention of prac-
tically the whole world.
Flies to count in the competition for
the grand prizes may be delivered to the
health department as late as o'clock
this afternoon. DR.. Arthur L. Murray of
the department, who has supervised the
campaign. will declare the contest closed
at that hour and Immediately proceed to
ascertain the total slaughter roll and to
name the winners of the various awards.
Award of Grand Prizes.
The grand prizes will go to the con-
testants who have killed the most flies
during five months, and it is expected
that the names of the winners will be
ready for announcement by tomorrow.
The awards will consist of first prize
of 500, a second of $50, a third of $25,
fourth of SIS, fifth of $40, and sixth
and seventh prizes of S. each. making a
total of 500. In addition, eight district
prizes of the combined value of $40 will
be awarded for the highest district scores
made this month, so that the grand total
of all the prizes will be $3.50.
Altogether The Star will have then
awarded 5000 in prizes to the fly war con-
testants. The May regular prizes amount
ed to $50, while the June, July and
August awards were of the total value of
$50 each, in addition to $40 in district
prizes awarded each month. The prizes
in the essay contest which was held in
connection with the campaign, amounted
to $50.
Near Thirty-Million Mark.
Until DR.. Murray has gone over the
final scores this afternoon, the total
slaughter record Of the campaign will
not be known, but that the mortality
figures will approximate 100000 is
believed to be assured. No organized
fly war conducted in any city has re-
suited in the destruction of the pests
on such a large scale.
It is believed to be practically cer
tain that Mark Trice will make the
highest score this month, but Layton
II. Burdette delivered the most flies in
the May. June, July and August cru
sades and he may defeat Trice for the
grand prize. Among other prominent
competitors who are expected to be
among the prize winners are Lawrence
Fitzgerald, William Steiner and Frank
Funk.
The benefits of the campaign will be
described by DR.. Murray in report to
be prepared early this week. The health
department expert believes that health
conditions in Washington have been
improved as a result of the constant
effort made during the last five months
to diminish the fly population, and
his report doubtless will endeavor to
show this to be true.