Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-29
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NETTING CT Tbs BOA RID or REALTH-A TALK
ABOUT SOAP yANUFACTURR-A MYSTERIOUS
oDoR OF BOILING FLEsH ON TIE WESTERN
AiR, ETC.
A ft.riar meeting Of the Board Of Health was
held last evening; Mr. MarOury, Drs. L.sss a.
Verdi, and MI Langston present. Several re-
ports Of nuisances sbated by the health officer
were read.
The health officer reported on a Complaint
s'ened by Rtttenhouse, Dodge and others, that
he had n sde a careful Inspection of the locali-
ties referred to, and had found three distinct
sources Of contamination of the atmosphere in
tEat reIghborhood: First, Just Of and near
the P-stIeet bridge Is the mouth Of the immepse
sewer which drains the northwestern section of
this city aud continually vomits its Nth into
Rock creek, which, with the sluggish current,
is borne half mile or more out into the PotO-
mac. forming not bond of union between the
two cities, hut foul, repulsiye river OF separa-
ticD. Another and the second cause is a brick
OF barrel sewer, about four feet in diameter,
which terminates on the hill near Beall street.
sCme 50 feet above the creek, and which Is al
lowed 20 flow over and down steep, rocky pre-
eipiee, forming cascade, not silvery, but filthy,
the rocks themselves being stained by the de-
posits. From the base of the hill it flows some
distance to the creek. Third Is the soap factory
of VIM. Hughes. at the corner OF 18th and n
streets northwest. From this factory emanate
such offensive and sickeDing odors as are Incl
dent to the manufacture Of soap through all its
stages.
sewers was ordered to be referred to the District
commissioners. and that relating to the soap
factory to the health officer with iDstruc tous TO
tax immediate steps to sbate the nuisance.
Mr.. Marbury suggested that the manufacture
OF soap in itself is not injurious.
The health officer, DIR. Keane, said the offsu-
sive gas comes from the rendering OF fat. some
DIR. Bliss stated that the courts had decided
toat soap making was not & nuisance, and q
prominent soap manufacture had informed him
that The manufacturer could he contiuu sd with
out being at all offensive. The Difficulty WAS
that the fats used were bought up from those who
gathered it about the street, and much Of this
was offensive when taken to the factory. The
health officer would examine the subject
desultory conversation on certain mysterious
doors which at times pervsde the western pOr-
being asked what does 1t smell like
Mr.. Marbury said ii was q verypeculiar order,
tint of boiled animal matter being perceptible.
and he believed that there was a fat boiling
establishment near Four Mile Run, not 2S
miles from the District in direct line.
DIR. Bliss remarked that he believed the dead
animals from Alexandria were boiled down In
the neighborhood Of Four Mile Run, and he
moved that the health officer visit the place
Alexandria authorities; adopted.
TIE SUPPLY OF WATER FOR OAK HILL
report to the chief engineer in relation to the
supply Of water to Oak Hill cemetery, says
81 ind the same served with water from five
services, viz two Pinch, two 1-inch and one Z :
inch. These pipes supply five fountains, one
propagating house. one lodge or residence of
superintendent in charge, and two or three out
lets for watering grass, &c. The supply to
these pipes comes from the 6 inch main on Road
street, the same being fed from the high ser
vice reservoir, and to which the water is pumped
by the engine on 4th street, near Market street,
az cost of $500 a month. As there is ne ordi-
nance by which we can collect water
rent from this or other property in
Georgetown, i know of no way that this
property can be made to contribute to
the cost of their water supply, and there
fore recommend that the following rule be
adopted, and the trustees in charge of the
cemetery be notified of the sar.e, viz: "The use
of all fountains within the cemetery grounds
be restricted to one-half hour in the evening
the use of water for sprinkliDg grass and all
other purposes, except domestic, be entirely
prohibited. This is an absolute necessity, as az
present II is with great difficulty and constant
use Of the steam pump, that we are able to
furnish the residents on the high grounds OF
Georgetown with sufficient water for domestic
ana other necessary purposes, and while
believe that the officers in charge Of these
grounds show every disposition and care in the
use OF the water, am of the opinion that the
adoption OF my Recommendation will save
large quantity of water"
The recommendations have been concur ed
IN, and the Water Registrar requested to notify
the parties.