HISTORY OF MOSQUITO CONTROL IN NEW JERSEY 267 



On July 7, 1903, Dr. Smith read a paper on mosquito elimination, and 

 also exhibited a map of the Newark meadows, made for the occasion, on 

 which he showed where most breeding occurred. A week later, the follow- 

 ing notice was sent out : 



Newark, N. J., July 14, 1903. 

 Dear Sir: Your presence is requested at a meeting to be held in 

 the rooms of the Newark Board of Health, 880 Broad Street, on Friday 

 evening, July 17, 1903 at 8:30 o'clock, for the purpose of discussing 

 the problem of mosquito extermination. 



There will be present gentlemen from the boards of health represent- 

 ing the various communities within our mutual sphere of interest. As 

 only through hearty cooperation may we expect relief from this pest, 

 it is earnestly hoped that you will be present. 



Respectfully, 



F. W. Becker, M.D. 



This was the first attempt made in New Jersey for the extermination 

 of the mosquito through cooperative endeavor. 



Pursuant to this notice a meeting was held with representatives from 

 Orange, Harrison, Summit, Springfield, Bloomfield, South Orange, 

 Irvington, Montclair, East Orange, Belleville, Vailsburg, Millburn, 

 Elizabeth, and Newark. It was decided that a temporary organization 

 be formed with a view of making it permanent. Dr. Becker was elected 

 temporary chairman. The following were appointed the Committee on 

 Organization: Dr. F. W. Becker, Newark; S. P. Gilbert, Bloomfield; 

 and H. F. Parker, Montclair. 



A Legislative Committee was appointed at this meeting consisting 

 of the president, Dr. T. N. Gray, chairman; Spencer Miller; J. B. 

 Thompson ; S. P. Gilbert, and Louis J. Richards, secretary. 



That winter this committee drew up a bill which was introduced in 

 the Assembly in February, 1904, by Honorable Edward D. DufBeld, 

 Assemblyman from Essex County. It was passed and signed by Gover- 

 nor Stokes on March 28, 1904. This is known as the Duffield Act, 

 Chapter 119, Laws of 1904. It is an important mile-stone in the prog- 

 ress of our work, and no occasion has since arisen to change it mate- 

 rially. 



At a meeting of the Conference Committee on Mosquito Extermina- 

 tion, held on May 19, 1904, the Legislative Committee reported that 

 the anti-mosquito clause had been passed by the Legislature, and was 

 now a law and a part of the General Health Act. 



