Proceedings oi^ Fieth Annual, Meeting 17 



''Why don't we go out for all his children, his grandchildren or 

 his great grandchildren and his friends, everything in the way 

 of mosquitoes?" It is my firm conviction that that spirit is 

 broadcast over the northern part of the state at least. We as 

 commissioners have got to recognize it and have got to have some 

 way to get to a mosquitoless Jersey. The public has a right to 

 look to us to make this fight for its lasting comfort. The coutity 

 commissions are the only trustees the people have in this work, 

 and it becomes the absolute duty of those trustees to suggest plans 

 and execute the work of final mosquito extermination. 



The matter of funds need give us very little anxiety, because 

 it is a fact that the American public does finally take care of 

 every worth-while project. We must not expect either the 

 people or the county boards of freeholders to come urging their 

 appropriations on us. Their prerogative is to examine our 

 recommendations and then either veto or approve. The initiative 

 lies with us. We are supposed to know all about this mosquito 

 problem. It is for us to say how much the cost will be, tO' devise 

 the methods and work out the plans for a mosquitoless Jersey. 

 If our plans will bear critical examination, if vv^e can demon- 

 strate their practicability, I know that they will be approved 

 when they are brought before the proper authorities. 



An important factor in any plan for a mosquitoless New 

 Jersey is proper co-operation between the various county com- 

 missions. We must look at this thing from the viewpoint of 

 all broadminded people. Even business men, hard-headed, fight- 

 ing competitors, get together when there is a common economic 

 problem to be solved. Why cannot we handle this thing in the 

 same way? Take, for instance, an area of swamp land extend- 

 ing through three or four counties, or, if you will, take a river, 

 subject tO' freshet conditions, that is in itself a boundary line 

 between counties. There is no efficiency in cleaning up on one 

 side of that line and neglecting the other. It is a common prob- 

 lem! tO' be worked out in common. 



This spirit of co-operation must begin with the commissioners 

 themselves. We miust each one of us feel that we are working 

 for the good of the State of New Jersey. If we show the neces- 



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