Gag

Jaded with press-agentry is Miami, but fortnight ago her citizens were stirred by a new publicity gag turned loose upon them by the McCann-Erickson advertising agency.

For Stance, Inc., Standard Oil subsidiary which makes Flit, 2,001 New Jersey-bred houseflies were turned loose. On 2,000 of them, painted silver, a bounty of $5 apiece was set. The 2,001st fly was daubed with gold; on his head went a price of $500. To protect itself from pseudo-hunters who might catch any old fly, paint it gold or silver, the company dyed its flies with special chemicals.

The company distributed handbills explaining the "FLIT FLY HUNT," urging capture of the gilded fly, designated "Big Butch--Public Enemy No. 1." Contest ants used swatters, wadded newspapers, Flit-guns. Use of the guns was not compulsory, but those claiming rewards were obliged to present an open can of Flit with each piece of game bagged. The hunt was supposed to attract youngsters, but housewives proved the keenest sportsmen. Mum was Stanco on the bag's size, rumored to be about 400 silverspots. But after a week's hunting Stanco disclosed that golden "Big Butch" was still on the wing--or dead of natural causes.

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