138 N. J. Mosquito Extermination Association 



the mosquitoes were exterminated. Here a profit to the State 

 would result of $48,000,000, making a total increased land valu- 

 ation of $107,000,000 in principal. 



In the other thirteen counties in New Jersey it is estimated that 

 farm land values could be increased to the extent of $144,000,000 if 

 the mosquito pest could be eliminated. In addition there would 

 also result increased values to shore properties, suburban and indus- 

 trial properties, and to the real-estate in the many towns in every 

 county of the State. 



The grand total of increased valuation of New Jersey land that 

 might be accomplished through the extermination of mosquitoes is 

 almost staggering in its magnitude, inasmuch as it has been various- 

 ly estimated from $600,000,000 to $1,000,000,000. 



I am not prepared to state what the cost for the complete ex- 

 termination of mosquitoes would be, but for the purpose of this 

 discussion let us assume the outside figure of $1,000,000. What 

 should the attitude of the State be in relation to an investment of 

 $1,000,000 where such vast returns seem assured? What would 

 be the attitude of any corporate or private business concern in 

 relation to a similar proposition? 



We have thus far only considered the principal in this propo- 

 sition. Let us for a very few moments discuss the interest or in- 

 come, that would result for the State on such increased land val- 

 uations. Take our State School Tax, for instance, which is based 

 on ratables. At present the School Tax is about $7,000,000. It 

 would be increased $3,000,000, or possibly $4,000,000 annually. 



The income of every municipality and county in the State would 

 be similarly increased; therefore, it is not difficult to comprehend 

 the extent of the benefits to be derived by the State in the matter 

 of income. 



What should be the attitude of the State where it can invest 

 $1,000,000 and, in school moneys alone, increase its annual income 

 by $3,000,000 or $4,000,000? There can be only one answer— the 

 State should lose no time and spare no effort to accept such an 

 opportunity for investment. 



The State of Illinois did not hesitate to develop its waste land. 

 In Webster County, in that State, there were many thousands of 

 acres of swamp and marsh lands that were, by a system of drain- 

 age, converted into the richest corn belt in the entire cotmtry. This 



