6 N. J. Mosquito Extermination Association 



In a comparatively few years our city has been transformed from 

 a barren desert, from a bleak wilderness, to a magnificent resort city^ 

 containing some of the finest hotels in the world with a capacity of 

 entertaining all who come. Atlantic City has never been over- 

 crowded, notwithstanding there is no limitation, no restriction; all 

 who come- here can be entertained according to their wishes. As 

 we speak in billions since the war, I do not think I exaggerate in 

 saying that the ratables of Atlantic City today are worth at least a 

 quarter of a billion of dollars. Divide this amount by the number of 

 years, say fifty, in which this great development has come, I think 

 you will admit it is a marvelous growth. And I think also that the 

 New Jersey Mosquito Extermination Association has had much 

 to do with Atlantic City's growth and prosperity. Some years ago, 

 with the mosquito as a pest, many people refused to come to the 

 shore and many came who were driven away. So I think you have 

 been a great blessing in aiding our prosperity, to say nothing of 

 improving the public health. It is rather gratifying to feel that our 

 own county has had much to do with the methods employed. I refer 

 especially to the Reiley ditcher. Some day I hope to see the name 

 of Reiley as famous in mosquito work as Morse is in telegraph 

 work. ( Applause ) . 



It occurs to me that the names I see here deserve to be emblaz- 

 oned on the temples of fame — Rider, Meyers, Manchee, Headlee, 

 Camp, Howell, Jackson, Darnall, Brinkerhoff, Engle, Hudson and 

 the numerous names on the back of the program and it would not 

 surprise me to see posterity determine that this Association had 

 rendered such great service to the state that they should be remem- 

 bered in a substantial and suitable form for the edification of all 

 future generations. It is hard to measure the great good you have 

 done. And after you have reached the seat of the disease in the 

 Mullica River and have eradicated the germ, then, surprising as it 

 will be to the world. New Jersey will be mosquitoless as well as 

 drinkless. 



You know that your work does not always receive the encourage- 

 ment it should. I know that like all the great men, doing great 

 things, that you meet with apathy, that you meet with discourage- 

 ment ; that you feel the people are not sympathetic and that they 

 ought to support you more. So they should. But all great men, all 

 great problems, find the same difficulty, find the same apathy. And 

 at heart the people are with you ; for people have a habit of letting 

 somebody else do it. You find the same apathy extending to all 



