Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-18
The Sewer Gas ScOurse.

GIF- [NnOT--lnS NaluaDl6 suggestions OF
"a Citizen" in The STAR on the all-import-
ant subjects of drainage and sewer gas, COM
mend him by their evident wisdom as one OF
our most thoughtful and worthy citizens.
Ills opinions that all plumbers should be
licensed and required To give bonds for the
faithful performance OF their work, and that
our Board of Health should be vested with
the requisite authority To inspect all works
in the nature of sanitary engineering, are
sound. The incompetency and Indifference
of our plumbers is astonishing. / have a
case in point: There is a fiue row OF brick
dwellings in the northern part OF the city.
where scarlet fever has ragged during the past
summer 10 an alarming degree; and upon
investigation IL was found that the water
closets were very imperiectly trapped,
whereby the deadly sewer poison found free
access into these dwellings, spreading death
and disease among their unsuspecting ill.,
mates. Had some such provision for Venti-
lating these closets as he suggests in his fifth
paragraph been made, this dread malady
would in all probability never have visited
Speaking of the ventilation OF street sewers.
he say s:-tThat is a very simple matter, and
can be easily effected. 1t is done in Europe,
and can be here with ordinary engineering
skill and outlay" Now, If he knows OF any
efec.ite mode Of ventilation, with but an or
binary outlay, so public-spirIted ga citi-
for Ii. / have given the subject much
consideration myself, and am satisfied that
TO ventilate sewers properly, the following
conditions are necessary, VIZ: Outlets for
foul aiT; .sIletS for fresh air; aad some ade-
quate moving force 10 keep up constant
circulation. Thus far 10 has been found inn
possible 10 apply power sufficient 10 over
come The immense eXPanSe and ramiica-
tOnS of our sewers. They are only vented as
yet. Their ventilation has never beel th0r-
oushly accom- pllshed- A SCBSCIBER.
The Threatened Nine Hours.
Dear Editor: You have always been viii
Ing 10 lend helping hand in the peoples
cause so now / am going TO ask great
favor OF you, viz: VIII you allow me,
through The columns OF your newSy paper,
10 tell you OF some OF oar troubles, and by
"Our' mean Uncle Sans female employees,
and am one of them. A rumor reached US
10 day that the office hours are 20 be length
ened % hours, beginning at 3 q, 70. Just
mink OF 1t Mr.. Editor, mortal hours TO
bend over desk, until you are in doubt as L.
than half the women employed under the
government have children 90 look after.
Now i want TO know what time they will
have 10 attend To home affairs IL the rumOr
is true about the hour movement.
Deploringly, NAV.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. 9Th, 1873.
~ Jacob Donahower hung himself through
depression OF spirits al Reading, Pa, last
evening.
s9-The river steamer Jenison, which had
been laid up for the winter at u rand Rapids,
Mich, was burned yesterday. Loss about
sl2,0e9. Supposed TO be The WORK OF an in-
cendiary.
B7-Jacob Schriver, who has been missing
from MinersviJle. Pa, for some weeks, was
yesterday found dead ia a deserted house in
horrible condition, covered with vermin.
He had been hard dTinker.