Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-26
Suat the Fly.

One million flies is the goal set by
Layton ii. Burdette and his band of ex-
terminators at the Industrial Home
School for the five months that The
Evening Stars anti-ny contest will run.
AS Burdette and his assistants are be-
coming better acquainted with the best
methods of killing the insects on the
wholesale plan. IL is practically certain
that they will exceed the million mark
Burdette has for his assistants about
forty boys and girls OF the school. and
is himself kept busy making "swatters'
for his army. Traps are not used as he
has decided that the greatest number in
the shortest time can be obtained by
expanding little energy with the wire
swatters.
Make Daily Reports.
The boys and girls turn over their
catches for the day to him every night
and he takes them to the health Office
in the District building to be registered
by DR.. Arthur L. Murray.
This month was considered a poor one
for flies because of the delayed warm
weather, but as the assistants now arc
turning in more than 10000 daily and
have more than 10000 registered. the
poorest month OF the season will net
Burdette at least 10000 Ii he keeps
only that for an average for the Ave
months the 100000 mark will be
reached
His organization for fighting the flies 10
so complete that a fly in the building IL
an unusual sight. An inspection OF the
buildings yesterday turned up only one
Gu, Thxa iru nA kffahana
are fiyless. In the pantry were two
large basins filled with strawberries. and
although nothing could be more attractive
to flies than this combination none was
seen. The dormitories were absolutely
fyless, although there are no screens In
the windows.
Fish Heads Used as Bait.
The seat OF war has now changed from
the dining rooms and kitchens to the
lawns. Fish heads are being used as
bait and three or four flies are killed
with one blow Of the swatter.
Where the hordes OF flies como from 10
feed on the bait is a mystery not only
to the boys and girls, but to the ON
Gals Of the school The bait is placed
on the Fairgrounds far from the build
ings, and. although when first put on tho
ground there is not a fly in sight, before
many minutes thousands head for the
bait and are Killed oy the ngntere WIN
rhythmic regularity OF blows.
The fish bait has been SO successful that
1t is more than probable that the children
will not have to leave the grounds to get
all the flies they want. For the last week
nearly all OF the boys of the brigade have
spent their afternoons In the Georgetown
meat and fish markets. Two or three In
wade one store together. and within q
short time the place is nyiess.
Rivalry Is Great.
Rivalry among the members of Bur-
dettes team is great. and Is being en-
by the faculty of the school.
One night each week the results OF
each boys work are announced. and q
record Of the work Of all is kept.
Burdette. whose business ability Is al
ready well developed. has not fully de-
cided what prizes he will OFFER. but he
has announced that all OF the boys who
help him will be well rewarded.
Now that the public school session
IL almost over. II 10 expected by DIR.
Murray OF the District health ONCE that
many other boys and girls will enter
the contest for June, and that many
teams will be formed similar to that
Of Burdette. Five cash prizes will be
given at the end OF June by The Even
ing Star. ranging from IS to $40.