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Show RAT CAMPAIGN STARTS WITH SPECIAL OFFICER EMPLOYED TO DIRECT THE CLEAN UP , i Rats, they fought the dogs, And killed the cats, And bit the babies, In the cradles, etc. George Shorten, city sanitary commissioner, com-missioner, began a new and fiercer drive upon rodents of the gray, destructive species, this morning. The sanitary officer has appointed a special "rat cop whose duties it will be to supervise the campaign to rid the city of the vast and increasing hordes of rodents now infesting 'the city. He also will bo expected to enlist the help of boys for the big drive scheduled to take place during the holidays. "The situation is serious." said Mr. Shorten. "As yet the rodents are confined con-fined to the south part of town, the dumps, mills, railroads and factories. That is no assurance, however, that they will not invade the schools and residence districts. A bounty of 10 cents is offered for every hidoof a rat that Is brought in to this office. The I campaign will be waged with ever; t earnestness." It is explained by the official tha rats multiply with astonishing frequency fre-quency and raise at least three families, fam-ilies, oT ten members each, everj twelve months. The young grovA rapidly and are becoming fond mothers and fathers within a remark-1 ably short period of time. They arei. destructive and unhealthful and, like the snake, seemingly have no valid cause for existence nor particular notch ii the plan of creation. ' It is believed the present Influx is due to a parent pair arriving in a box car from the east, as the gray rat is a species common to the central west, rather than to coast cities. They are an aggressive, mean and thieving i variety and display a degree of wit that makes it difficult to effect their , eradication. The campaign which the city has started will include guns, clubs, poison, traps and all other known methods of warfare. |