Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-14
BURDET7t IN LEAD
Gradually 0vercomes Fitz-
geraId's July SWatting Margin.
SATURDAYS TOLL $4,000
Ten Million Mark for the Month Is
Expected.
SEASONS RECORD TO BE BIG
Next Years Crop of Flies Will Be
Greatly Reduced by Present
Activities, It Is Believed.
SEASONS RECORD TO BE BIG

| Layton H. Burdette, fourteen year-old
commander of the Industrial Home
School army of fly "swatters' and win
ner of first prize in The Stars May and
June anti-fy campaigns, is at the head
! of the contestants who are out for the
prizes in this menth's crusade
Gradually overcoming the lead taken
| early in the race by Lawrence Fitzgerald,
Burdette. by turning in 1855 extermi-
mated insects yesterday, went in first
place. Fitzgerald delivered 1O0,sOO flies,
but this number. added to his previous
margin of nearly 100000, points proved
insufficient to keep him at the head of
the contenders. The Industrial Home
Schools leader, however, barely has title
to first place, his margin being but 8, 200
points.
Half Million Delivered.
Altogether, $4,000 flies were delivered
by the various contestants yesterday,
making the total slaughter for the month";
to date, 5O33, 500 This is just half of
the number DR.. Murray, supervisor of
the campaign, predicted would be des-
troyed during July. With more than two
weeks of the present months crusade
against the horde of diseaSe-Spreaders
| remaining to be waged 1t is more than
probable that the ten million mark will
be reached
In addition to the flies delivered yester-
day by Burdette and Fitzgerald, William
Steiner turned in $500; Walter Thought,
$4,000; Charles Watts, $4,000, Francis
Corby, $500; Ralph Lucas, 6.4OO; Lee
Kent, 4,SO0.
THOUGHTS showing for the day enabled
him to advance from sixth to fifth posi-
ton. The high score made by Lillian
Portion Friday was responsible for
Thought losing his hold on fifth place,
but as Lillian was not among the con-
testants who delivered flies yesterday
Treught managed to get back in his old
position.
Six Now in Lead.
The six leaders are the following Lay
ton H. Burdette, $4,000; Lawrence
Fitzgerald, 1871 400; William Steiner,
1873, 600: ]. Mark Trice, 446, 400: Walter
Thought, $50, 400. and Lillian Portion,
263 800.
Already two Of the contenders Burdette
and Fitzgerald, have destroyed more than
half million flies each, while William
Steiner probably will enter the million
class early this week
On the basis of what has been accom-
plished this month, DR.. Murray predicts
that 15,O0OOOO flies will BIZ DESTROYED in
August and probably as large a number
in September. In all the summer cam
paign is expected to result in the slaugh-
ter of about 10000 600 Of the insects. The
heavy inroads on the fly popula ton should
greatly reduce the number of pests that
otherwise would develop next season, To-
cal health officials declare.
Fighters Increase Equipment.
Although the war on the fly has been
carried on with vengeance during the
first part of this month by the contest
ants in The Stars campaign. records
being smashed almost daily, practically
all of the participants have in the last
few days increased their equipment to
fight the pests, and are prepared to
finish the month with larger numbers
killed than ever before.
Fitzgerald and Steiner, who are old
haads at the business, not only have
bought more traps, but each has invaded
new territory. These two confine most
OF their work to markets. and daily
receive requests from merchants asking
them to clean out their stores
The children at the Industrial Home
School have arranged to place traps
not only in the school grounds but also
in Tenleytown and Georgetown stores
AT the same time more than 100 boys
and girls, we'll trained in swatting, are
kept busy every day. Ralph Lucas. win
ner of the District prize last month for
Anacostia. is prepared for a Garrison
finish. and Lillian Portion and her
numerous girl assistants. also in the
Anacosia district are procuring traps
and additional sWatters.
The boys at the Bruen Home. who re-
Gently entered the campaign, under the
leadership of Walter Thought, are now
expert annihilators, and are rapidly
coming to the front.