The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-05
THE HARLEM FLATS
How the Police Surgeons Came 10 Make
Their Report.
SIGNATURES OBTAINED BY COERCION.
What Commissioner Smith Asked
to Have Done.

The astonishing report recently made by the
committee or police surgeons relative to the
nature or the material used for nling in the Har.
lem Oats is at last about TO be officially Analysed,
thanks to the zeal and penetration or Commls-
sloner Smith, and from present appearances IL IL
more than likely that developments OF peculiar
character will result. When the white.
washing document was submitted its signera
little anticipated the overwhelming post
tive contradictions from disinterested but
competent parties OF an unimpeachable
standing In society that have since been made
public through the columns OF the HERALD. ON
the contrary the facts indicate that they expected
their marvellous report to forever silence oppost
tion and 10 completely annlhlate all the evidences
to the contrary that had gone before. But unfor'
tunately for Dlsbecker's obedient employees in 8
moment OF forgetulness one OF the number stun
bled into an admission which places their pro-
ceedIngs In new and unenvIable nght-au
admission which, II 1t goes to show any
thing. demonstrates beyond the shadow
or doubt that the report paraded with such
flourish OF trumpets, and over which Dsbecker
glowlngly exulted a. vindcatlng MIA ofs-repeated
assertions to the effect mat the percentage OF
garbage contained in the Harlem pest beds was
insignificant, was forced from the subservieni
surgeons under pain or dire consequences, per.
maps dismissal.
It's value under these circumstances needs no
criticism, and the nervous head OF the street
Cleaning Bureau will be compelled to seek else
where That Justification for his course which is in
reality denied by the garbed and forced report OF
the police surgeons.
When General smith arose in the open session
or the Board yesterday afternoon 1t was evident
that he had communication OF startling char.
acrer 70 make. In slow and measured tones he
alluded 10 the universal cutlery that had been
made against the character or the nlings at tns
Harlem hats. Citizens OF high standing had ex.
pressed, privately and through the public jour.
nails their condemnation OF The pestlentla stun.
The law implicitly exacted that all garbage Oh.
tanned BY the employees OF the street Clean.
ing Department snond be carried out
TO sea and disposed OF beyond the
city limits THAT garbage existed in quantities
deleterlous 10 life and preudiclal 10 health In the
dumpings at Harlem seemed evident by the
Eoxious efiuvia arising tnerefrom. He, as Com
missioner OF Police, did not wish TO be held re.
sponslbe TOR nonconiormity TO the law by the
Street Cleaning Bureau In that respect. Revea-
inaicate that the report made by the COM
mtttee OF surgeons was not unanimous
one, as appeared by the signatures thereto.
since the said epor: mad been made Police Sur
eeon Fetter had IN conversation Win MN (Com.
missioner smith stated substantially that, al
though he Ioned with the other surgeons 10
signing the reports. lie was OF an opinion con-
trary TO that therein eNpfesseu. having care.
fully examined the material, he (Fetierl fell
satisfied .nat the percentage was much larger
tuan stated. When asked by Commissioner Smltt
why ne had signed the report contrary 10 nil
honest CONVICTIONS. Fetter had repned that ht
felt that he was .boundn TO do 30. Now, In view
OF these iacts Commissioner smith wanted fuh
and thorough investigation INTO the matter.
After throwing thls bomDshel Ia the midst OF
his colleagues the redoubtacle General sat down,
and the following resolution, Introduced In con-
sequence OF the revelations, was onered by Com
mission r.Noorhis and adopted
R,tfa f1r lac rife ~.
fore he b9ard =. esoia a e - Ne ns 81 aS
any statement or explanation hs may nave 70 make
name IL the report Board relative tn
the character OF the material used for hing
by Commissioner smith
Tnat General smith means 10 thoroughly sin
the matter there can be no doGo', and the testi
mony OF DR.. Fetter. 70 be taken this morning, viii
be, through MS searching investigation, fun and
complete. -, -.
or Health nas NOT oriicIaly pronounced upon the
character O. che material now being taken awaJ
az tue various dumping places, the street Cleaning
Bureau has permitted tue old system ~ continue
IN force. Il correct this abuse commissioner
smith introduced the following resolution, which
was also adgpted:-
Cleaning Bureau shall unless approved BY the Board OF
taken and discharged. otherwise disposed Of
outs de the clty limits.
4 SENSIBLE SUGGESTION.
The Chief ClerK read a communication from City
SurveYof oerTeu recommending the use by the
aepartmcnt OF three eet OF beach sand at the
Harlem mats which ne thought would ooviate the
present existing nuisance.
on motion the chief Clerk was directed 10 reply
to tue same that snch action was not within the
province OF toe department, but belonged TO the
CONTRACTORS purchasing the street sweepings.
Tne Treasurer submitted detailed account OF
the receipts Tor street sweeptngs nom February ?,
1871 - tee lst OF the present month. Ine total
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