bennett] FLY CAMPAIGN IN SPRINGFIELD 347 



was through the schools. So, in the beginning of our long war, 

 before we were recognized or received, we proposed to interest 

 Springfield through the medium of her school children. But, 

 first, we must interest the medium, — and we began in the High 

 School. We advertised the campaign in every way, we could, — 

 direct or indirect : we spoke of it to our friends ; and those of us, 

 who were in the Public Speaking Department reported on it as a 

 current topic, dealing with every phase of it separately, so that 

 we could bring it before the classes often. After we had, in this 

 way aroused a casual interest, representatives of the Zoology 

 classes spoke in all the session rooms during the roll call period, 

 telling of the work we wished to accomplish, and asking for 

 support. The pupils were characteristic in their response, — 

 characteristic of a group called to action: they gave us their 

 nominal support, but preferred to be "conservative," — to "wait 

 and see how things were going to go." But we had gained bur 

 main purpose: we had aroused a lively interest. They would 

 not be concerned in our progress, but they were close observers, 

 and — they commented. This was the thing, we desired most, — 

 that they should carry the news outside the school — to their 

 parents and neighbors. Even if they did not favor us, at least, 

 they noticed us, and we could win their favor, in time. 



Our next move was to interest the grade schools. Each member 

 of the class was required to design a poster that would be, at once, 

 attractive and forceful. We were allowed perfect freedom in 

 working out our ideas. That was the characteristic attitude of 

 Miss Cook throughout the whole campaign. Every campaigner 

 was made to feel that his was a very important part of the work, 

 that the little task assigned to him was the most necessary of all. 

 He was perfectly free to do it in his own way, but he was so charmed 

 and enthused by his own importance that he did it — and more. 

 No good idea was ever overlooked, and this gave us an incentive 

 to think of new ideas and work them out by ourselves. We were 

 made to feel an individual responsibility, which, I believe, accounts 

 in a great .measure for our enthusiasm, and, therefor, for our final 

 success. 



As soon as the posters were finished, they were sent to the 

 various grade schools throughout the city. They were hung in 

 the halls without any announcement, without so much as a word 

 of explanation. Immediately, the greatest curiosity was aroused. 



