Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-18
Active Support of Health Depart
ment Assured-Instructive Lit
erature to Be Distributed.

\ campaign Oh .rrdtiOn designed 10
obtain the aid of every Washingtonian
in the movement for the eradication OF
the city's greatest health menace-this
is the plan of The Star for its 1913
anti-fiy war.
swat the fly" contests. in which sew
eral hundred dollars were awarded in
prizes to children under sixteen years
of age were conducted last season and
the summer previous under the aus
p.ces of The Star. The activity OF
the children undoubtedly had great eff
feet in stimulating interest among
grown-ups in the Importance of some
thing being done to destroy the small
but deadly enemy Of mankind which
annually stalks through the land de-
handing a toll Of thousands Of lives.
Now older residents of the city as wei
as the young are eager 10 carry the night
on flies to a successful termination. Ii
no longer is a question of pointing on,
the danger from the insects. but rather
one that is concerned with ways anC
means by which the pest may be elmi-
mated. Swatting. it is agreed. while an
effective method. does not reach the
source of the trouble.
Outline of Campaign.
only will have the Endorsement, but the
active support of the District of Column
bia health department. The Star pro-
poses. by means of news articles TO be
published from time to time. to present
disease-carrying pests. Ii VIII endeavol
TO give its readers the results of the lat
est Investigations conducted by local
health officials and those of other cities
dealing with the fly and the potency OF
this agency as a distributor of disease
and pestilence.
In addition, it is the plan of The Star
to have printed and distributed among
Washington's 10000 school children illus
trated posters showing the origin and
growth of the fly. The reading matter
on the posters will be prepared by health
department officials and will contain
valuable pointers to how the insect
nuisance may be eliminated.
A fly reel, educational in character will
be shown in motion picture theaters in
every section q the city: Investigations
OF breeding places of the insects will be
conducted by the health department. and
numerous plans undertaken in conjunc-
ton with the campaign to hold i'm check
the development of the winged horde and
improve health conditions in the capital.
1t Is probable that arrangements will
be made whereby citizens will be able to
obtain at small cost quantities of disin-
the breeding of flies in stable refuse.
No Opportunity Sighted.
In short, no opportunity for striking al
the root of the problem VIII be over
looked. The fight will be conducted along
practical lines TO be suggested by health
department officials. II is expected that
there will be a general response on the
part of citizens to the request that they
make a determined effort to abolish the
fly. In this event. the pest. it is expected
will be diminished at a rate UMPIRE
cedented. while improved health con
ditons in the capital soon will begir
TO be apparent in reduced mortality
rate.
Efforts to eradicate the fly are being
made in a large number of cities this
summer. For the most part, educational
methods have been adopted as it is be-
lieved that this is the only way by
which the nuisance may be abated.
Washington Among the First.
Washington was one of the first cities
TO undertake anti-fiy campaign, and
the results of the active participate
of residents of the National Capital in
the fight on the insects this summer
will be watched with interest all over
the country. Already the foundation
for a successful campaign has been laid
in the fact that tons of refuse in which
flies breed were hauled out of the city
during cleanup week last month. Health
officials say that there are fewer flies
In the city now than has been the case
In any year at this time, and they be-
neye that constant efforts on the part
of householders to maintain their
premises in a sanitary condition Will
mean a small fly tribe for the rest OF
the season.