Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-21
D|STR|CT-W|DEW WAR
AGAINST DISEASE
Spring Campaign for Eradica-
ton of Rubbish and for
Beautifying the City.
PAINT-UP, CLEANUP WORK
MAKING RAPID PROGRESS
All Residents of the Capital Unite
in Crusade for Ideal Health
Conditions.

The spring campaign against dirt
disea se-hree ding conditions and un-
tidness in the District of Columbia is
about to enter its second week. ana
clea -up-pa int-up activities in every
section of the Distict are increasing
daily Getting off to a bad start with
two or three days of rainy or windy
weather handicapping the efforts of
cleanup squads and paint-up people
as well. the fine spring sunshine of the
last couple of days has set the forces
lined up in the warfare well ahead, and
the first line trenches of the enemy
have already been carried, with deep
Impressions made on other positions.
Tomorrow, and for the next week.
the cleanup forces will be strengthened
by the addition of thousands of new
recruits. volunteers in the big army.
The schools of the District close to-
day for the spring vacation. which is
to continue until May !. and thousands
of school boys and girls have already
signified their intention of enlisting for
week of solid service.
Activity Throughout District.
Cleanup activity is reported from
every part of the District. The 1915
campaign was not planned as was that
of last spring. when the work was
centered in the four sections of the
city successfully. This spring it is a
general. District wide warfare in which
Iall residents of the National Capital
iare waging relentless battle against
those conditions that may cause Wis
itors in Washington to gain poor i'm
preston of the city-accumulatiohs Of
,,Lh jct aSh 0f arin NJ ~
tered back yards, alleys filed with
heaps of ashes, waste paper. dead
leaves and grass, etc, and dingy. un-
painted or poorly painted porches.
shutters, houses and buildings.
Washington people have learned in
years past that such conditions are
ideal for the propagation of swarms of
flies during the summer, and that the
lily pest may be largely diminished. if
not eradicated. by the removal of all
and hatch They have learned that a
fylesS Washington may be brought
about if everybody will cooperate in
cleaning up and doing away with the
fly hatCheries. and thousands are work
ing early and late. to the end that the
summer hordes of flies may be checke
before they even get start.
To Stop Propagation of Mosquitoes. :
The people of the District have learn
ed also that mosquitoes are carriers
of malaria and that these insects prop
agate in stagnant water. The rain
that collects and stands in empty tin
cans. bottles. jars and broken crockery
thrown into weed-grown trash heaps
is as good as any for the mosquitoes
purpose, Washing tonians are get
ting rid of such accommodations
wherever they are to be found
Residents of the National Capital have
learned the relation between fresh
paint. civic pride and increased prop
erty values. and they are seeing to 1t
that enough paint is being used to do
away with the dinginess that hangs
around implanted buildings or struc-
lures that have not been given fresh
coats of paint for several Years