New Britain herald., 1928-07-27
SEEK STATE AID
Fighting BIRDS
Fire Chief Hayes Wants City Rid
Of Pests Of SlarlinSs
LOCAL EFFORTS ALL FAIL
Thousands Visit Shrine Of St. Anne
attending summer SclOOl-V.
+. W. Annual Picnic Amateur
Bouts TOnight-liEiilg Riyerbed.

! According to a statement of Fire
Chief John Hayes today the aid of
| the authorities OF the state of Con-
necticut may be invoked to help rid
the city OF the starting epidemic,
which has attained such proportions
that It is admitted that local meas
ures are entirely inadequate to COM
hal the raNases OF the pest. The
Jop OF Kidding the residential Sec
lions or the city was handed to
chief Hayes and the fire department
three summers ago, by the city
council after receiving a letter of
complaint from Judge Epaphroditus
ieck. 1t was in the trees adjacent
10 the residence of Judge Peck.
that the swarms of starlines made
the nights hideous with their
squeakinSs, and it was here that the
fIrst attack of the forces OF the fire
department was made.
The first treatment three summers
ago, was the water treatment alone
and when the streams of water were
forced into the trees and the birds
Vacated the vicinity in swarms II
seemed that the treatment was a
success. But the very next evening
complaints were received from other
sec1ions OF the city that the pests
were creating nuisance in that VI
emily and 1t was found that relief
from the measures of the fire de-
fartment. was only local. az tho
sWarns We're broken I'D and SOUGHT
roos'ihs places elsewhere in the
city.
Because Of the densely wood.d
sections which practically surround
ne city. 1t was thought that after
'iie plrds had been disturbed few
'mes, they would seek a resting
pace IN the outer sections of the
city, but the starlings seem to need
Inc companionship of humans. and
all OF the efforts OF the fire denart-
meht only resulted in spreading the
cpluemlc over various sections of the
city.
The work has gone on steadily the
past lew summers, the treatment lac
ing expanded to include the use of a
SearchllGht and bell in addition tn
the water treatment but to the oh
server who watches the swarms of
blrds rise from the trees, it seems
mat the birds are multiplying at a
dangerous rate.
ii is understood that other localj-
lies about the state, are infested sim
Harry TO Bristol and while it is NOT
pcllcVed that the birds do any ma
'erlal damage to The trees, the peace
OF mind OF the residents of the To- !
'alltles visited by the pests suffers
10 a great degree and 1t is believed |
.nat concerted protests from the Diff
'erent cities and towns, will result
N DEFINITE action by the state ex-
perls IN removing the pests.
Thousands Visit Shrine
IT was late hour last night he.
ore the last visitor to the Shrine of
" Anne at st. Joseph's church had
eft and the last application OF the
INn0 |
steady stream OF pilgrims to the
amous shrine, had been coming
rom points far and near. and while
% outstanding cures signalIed the
Observance OF the feast day. It Is he.
leved that many hundreds received
enef1t from the application Of the
e1ic.
Father o. T. Magnell, pastor Of
I. Joseph's, who has experienced
1any novenas and st. Anne days
nd who has arranged all Of the
ANY details attending the obscry-
noes, has been extremely loath 10
nnounce cures without proper au-
henticitry. He realizes that MANY
T the pilgrims to the shrine. buoyed
n by a hope in the efficacy Of the
elic. are subject to sort of self
ypnosis or religious ecstasy. andin
he first flush OF their experience are
rome to announce that they are