Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-08-07
Defends Mosquito
Commissions Work
Editor of "The Palisadian,"

Dear Dir.
l was glad to read the defense of
the Bergen County Mosquito Com
mission in recent "Palisadian," for
l believe these men are doing their
best, not considering themselves or
their special job, but bending their
energies to help in any part of the
work, as, for instance, in the case
Of the Chief Inspector, Mr.. Leslie,
whose place is in a comfortable Of
flee in Hackensack Court House, but
who is frequently in an uncomfort-
able part of the Hackensack meadows,
instead-getting out among the ditch
diggers in the mud and scum and
working all day, then at night con-
tinuing his work in the office.
An everyday sight in Hackensack
is that of the six inspectors who live
there, returning at night, covered with
mud, turning in at attractive homes
which contrast strongly with their
WCdiy DcuI dSSleu OWHeTS.
1t is easy for the rest of us to
sit at home and criticize-and easier
still for the tired commuter as he
seeks rest under his own vine and
peach tree; for of all bills presented
to him then, that of the mosquito is
the most irritating, but surely we did
not expect that as soon as the COM
mission turned its searchlight on our
borough, all our mosquitoes, panic
striker would fold up their bills and
silently steal away!
They aren't made that way and
they don't know the meaning of race
suicide.
We were never promised immediate
cessation of hostilities on the part of
the enemy, but at the two meetings
of the Civic Department (Women's
Club at which Mr. Vannote and
Mr.. Leslie addressed us, the prob
ability was expressed that we would
enjoy fair immunity WITHIN two years
time, by faithful cooperation on our
part.-lt isn't much more than two
months since work began!
We were all impressed by the
EARNEST and intelligent spirit of the
two men, at these informal meetings,
and | am writing this as an entirely
voluntary tribute to ihe work with
which came into close contact and
to the men whom l invited here as
Civics chairmen.
l have had several calls from Mr..
Leeds who is conscientious and fire.
quent inspector for our borough and
whose maps show a thorough study
of our local conditions. From him |
havet elected facts by number of
questions for l find that these men
do not sit down and exploit them
selves or their deeds.
Mr.. Leeds is himself puzzled by the
numbers of our mosquitoes still,
after the work already done. He
found an abandoned house excava-
ton near Palisade junction deep with
water and breeding mosquitoes at the
rate of-well, if one tin can forms
big day nursery for them what can't
a whole cellar do?
This and other bad places have
been we'll oiled and will be kept so.
Our borough council unanimously
voted the small appropriation neces-
sary for oil, as soon as the Request
was made by our Civics Department.
The inspector is now planning to
drain the swamp between Grantwood
and Edgewater Heights, and another
near the Reservoir, to guard against
breeding, though careful inspection
shows no danger as yet.
Hudson Heights has some bad spots
and the mosquitoes there feel that
they belong to us and we feel it tool
Our underbrush is thought by some
to be prolific source of mosquitoes,
and probably we all believe that our
open sewage is another
Are We all doing our best to i'm
prove local conditions by keeping our
own yards and adjoining lots free of
anything that can collect water? And
do we free our cellars of mosquitoes
and flies by closing them and burn
ing formaldehyde candles? Two of
the latter will finish the pests. Let's
wake up before the mosquitoes keep
us walked up!
Yours truly,
E. B. d.
August Second.