Milford chronicle., 1938-03-25
COMMUNICATION

The following communication, re-
ceived this week, expertly voices the
opinion Of one OF Delaware's sub
stantial citizens:
To the Editor.
Dear Sir:-
In regard to the controversy
which has been brought up by a rep
resentative Of the U. s. Biological
Survey and a member Of the Audi
bon Society of New York about mos
quito control in this State, would
like to say that this work was new
er undertaken on any ones property
without their consent. The work is
largely sanitary as II consists Of
cleaning up rubbish of all kinds.
making bitches so that water worid
not lie in stagnant pools, cutting
clean edges around the water levels
and putting in small fish in ponds to
eat the mosquito larvae, and con-
trolling water levels by food gates
and sluices. The result has been
amazing, greatly improving sanitary
conditions as we'll as destroying the
pests, and we have received hum
dreds Of letters of cOmmendation. |
As far as know not one single pond |
has been drained with the exception |
of a stagnant pond in Lewes back |
of the high school and hospital. We !
found that this was source OF 4
great infection I'm the town Of LeWes /
and with the consent OF the mayor
and various prominent citizens this
was drained. since which time Lewes
has been practically free from mos
quitoes. We have no idea of fore
ing this work upon the people OF
Delaware.
These gentlemen who have come
into our State and complained about
our destructive work could have
met with our Commission at any
time and stated their objections. We
would have been glad to have coop
Grated with them. Mr.. Voght, who
is connected with the audubon So
ciety came to Delaware without
or meeting any Of the
people engaged in mosquito control.
He issued the statement that our
work was injurious and when in
ouiry was made as to what respect Z
wild life was injured, ne made a 4
statement to the effect that baby
ducks fell into the bitches and
drowned as the bitches were 80 in.
ieep and far too long" Over 300
men with possibly 25 Overseers have
At times been on these marshes ana
have all been asked TO watch for
browning ducks. So far, no one has
seen a duck in these bitches. Mr..
yoght also made a statement that II
he marshes caught fire the bitches
would act as a fiue and spread the
iames. Having spent twelve sum
ner in the Adirondack Mountains, /
xnow only too we'll that the tools
he fire fighters take with them are
he pick and spade and these are
lsed to dig bitches to stop the spread
,f the fire. / know of no place
where there are more birds than In
Delaware, or where birds are more
enderly cared for and appreciated.
in regard to the muskrat situa-
ion. the average person knows lit
lie or nothing about trapping, but
10 know that from a practical stand
point for an animal that needs wa
er. IL is better to have the water
lnder control than to have o Hood
,r a drought. Ill
After all 1t would never occur to
IS as a mosquito control committee
o go up to Long Island or Connect
cut and walk all over their grounds
Without getting into touch with thhir
ommittee, or to criticize the work,
tating how inferior it was and try
o stir up strife. This has occurred
lere by a stranger who has attempt
d to destroy the work of four years
nd thus put our property owners
ack Just where they were five years
go when farms we're abandoned.
cal estate at a standstill and graz
ng herds were driven crazy by the
ests.
viii the people of Delaware sub
nit TO this dictation or will they use
heir discretion on the question oi
Iberty and property rights? This
Tork is so nearly completed that II
-ould seem unfair at this time to
urtail the CCC work and leave New
astle county and Kent county still
Unfinished.
Yours very truly. Iii
MARY WILSON THOMPSON