American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-03-11
CLEyELAND'S LITTLE "FLY.COPS,


In Cleveland, Ohio, the fly screen is
becoming obsolete. More than one city
has learned to swat the fly" but most
Of these have found that swatting does
not after all accomplish all the desired
results. A summer in which there is
a continuous open season for fly hunt
ers may result in an abatement of the
pest by autumn, but by next summer
there is the same familiar buzzing on
the window pane and the bald headed
man suffers all the old tickling an
guish. In Cleveland, however, differ
ent results have been attained. In the
Technical World magazine Willard
Price tells us that Cleveland, living up
to its reputation for making common
sense experiments, has instituted a
war on flies that does hot end with
winter weather. Billiards and a zero
temperature do not stop the fly fighter.
for, although they may not have many
opportunities to swat EN-" they are
even buster heading 'em off" One
question n answer from the fly cate
chism. we are told. give the whole plan
of campaign in a nutshell:
How many flies may breed from a
pair in the spring."
ALLOWING six patches of eggs of $50
each, supposing all to live and find
filth to breed in, the number would be
1911 Ole, 900, 900 ,000, 900 900, enough to
bury the entire earth fo~rty-seven feet
deep. Why not kill the fly in the win
ter or early spring."
So instead of the old slogan "Swat
the fly" the war cry Head 'em Off"
was adopted. and during the last three
winters the war has beer fierce and
triumphant.
The Commander-in-Chie of FLY
Fighters is DIR. Jean Dawson, a pro-
lessor In the Cleveland Normal school,
and her army is mainly recruited
from the ranks of school children. Of
ficially known as Junior Sanitary Po-
lice" Each school principal appoints
the ''fly-cops" for his district and an
pointments to the force are prized
During the cold months the winter
flies that breed the summer swarms
are hunted GU from the warm cracks
and crannies where they are hibernat-
ing, the force" being stimulated i'm
thls endeavor by a reward of ten cents
per hundred for dead flies. Then as
the first hin of spring warns up the
outdoor breeding places, the heading
off process begins in earnest, and
Each nan is made responsible for
one section of his school district. He
must make regular inspections. When
he discovers an o~ffense what happens
may be something like this:
Mrs. Smith," the small officer saws
to the lady at the back door, l am a
member of the Junior Sanitary Police.
Your garbage can has no cover and |
am afraid o will find it a good
breeding place for flies"
Most Mrs. Smiths have e the
newspapers and know something of
the Junior Sanitary Police. But sup
pose this one to be unfamiliar with
the methods of the fly fighters, and
both ~cantankerous and busy.
''o JpNA o"h diidilH, SHt S0aDS, /
Il imagine l can look after my own
garbage can! Such i~mpudence!" and
the door slams.
THE fly-cop refers his case to his
senior officer, the boy inspector. This
high official tries his wiles upon the
housewife. II he also fails.
the matter goes on up to the boy chief,
who writes some such note as this:
MY Dear Mrs. Smith: T.
I'VE are trying TO make our scohol
district flyless. Will you help us?
Flies breed in fermenting lawn clip
pings, open garbage and stable man.
ire. Garbage should always be kept
lightly covered. We are writing this
note to you because we know that YOU
will cooperate with us.
Very truly yours. :