bennett] FLY CAMPAIGN IN SPRINGFIELD 349 



shocked themselves, and, because they wanted to see the effect 

 on their neighbors, they repeated these facts, greatly to the edifica- 

 tion of the neighbors, we hope. Then these facts were told, 

 and retold, until the statements became so warped, and the guilt 

 of the fly reached such magnitude that it should have shocked 

 that shameless insect, himself. But the little girl, who shudders 

 and turns away when she is permitted to view her playmate's 

 sore finger, that is put on exhibition, — always turns back for 

 another look. Likewise our public: the more they heard, the 

 more they wanted to hear. Then enjoyed the sensation. Finally, 

 they had developed such an appetite for these ghastly facts that 

 no statement would satisfy them. 



But, through all this, they came to feel a personal interest 

 in the campaign; they were most eager to help in the work. 

 The Patrons' Clubs took action almost immediately. Committees 

 were appointed to look into conditions in each district, and these 

 committees accomplished a great deal, later. In our city, the 

 powers of the health commissioners are decidedly limited. If 

 they find the most dangerous and unhealthful conditions existing, 

 they may only advise a change, and offer help; — they may not 

 order the owner to clean up the place. Then, it must be clearly 

 seen of how much help these committees could be. They reported 

 all the cases that they found in their own districts, and under the 

 stress of public opinion, and, sometimes, even of boycott, the 

 owners were forced into compliance with the somewhat strenuously 

 voiced demands of these ladies. 



But it must be understood that this was not the work of a few 

 days, or of a few weeks, but the work of about six months. And 

 though we sent speakers to the schools whenever there was a meet- 

 ing of the Patrons' Club, in the meanwhile we were working along 

 many different lines. 



The posters were sent along a regular circuit. A set of two was 

 kept at each school for two weeks, then sent to another school, 

 and replaced by new ones. The posters became very popular 

 with the children. They got to expecting them each fortnight 

 and wondering what the next ones would be like. And, before 

 they realized it, they had graduated in a complete poster course on 

 the fly. 



But, as yet, the one great need of the undertaking was systematic 

 co-operation of the actual staff with workers from the outside. 



