National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-05
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Sanitary Condition of the Public Build

The Sanitary Condition of the Public Build
ings.
The Board Of Health held an adjourned meet
ing at their rooms last evening; Air. Marbury
in the chair.
M Msrbury, from the finance committee, re-
ported bills amounting to $22.l3, which were ap-
proved and ordered TO be paid.
The communication of B. F. Halliday, Of ST.
Fifteenth street northwest, complaining Of often
Eive odors in his residence was reported from the
health officer, in which the latter stated that he
hGd made repeated inspections Of the house. avail
Jig himself Of the services of practical plumber,
and was unable to trace the origin Of the often
Sive gases complained Of
Drs. Verdi and Bliss and Prof. Langston were
appointed q committee to visit the premises with
the health officer and make q further inyestigs-
ton Of the premises
The two brick houses and premises. and one
frame house and premises situated in alley be-
tween Seventeenth and Eighteenth and and K
streets northwest, the property Of ]. W. Babe
having improper drainage, being below grade,
premises situated on the south side Of ii street.
near the corner Of Seventeenth street northwest
the property OF J. Wilson, having leaky roof,
&C, were declared nuisances, and the health
officer ordered to abate them.
John R. Morgan made application for position
under the board as an inspector.
DIR. Cox called attention to the unsanitary con-
dition Of the public buildings, especially the
Treasury Department. He thought the matter
some expense. The impure air permeating the
Treasury building was killing the employees,
inmates Of that department, and to permit its
existence was barbaric in q civilized age. Work
was there for the chemist and scientist, and he
believed by so doing the board would achieve a
reputation throughout the entire country. He
thought the material used in marking the treasury
notes would bear investigation TO see whether Il
contained poisonous matter or not
The subject was then postponed until the next
meeting
The awarding Of the contract for the removal
OF night-soil, garbage, &c, was then brought up
for consideration.
DR.. Bliss thought they should 90 into executive
session for the purpose.
DR.. Verdi was in favor Of a public r,o.,t,,r NJ
the board, and did not see any necessity for a
Eecret session. iOl
DR.. Bliss did not believe Il proper to have the
discussion in public. II the members wished 10
discuss the character and ability Of the bidders
to perform the work he did not think it right 70
have them by. He believed the board would
award the contract advantageously for the com.
contract and did not want to be embarrassed
Cd the subject by the presence Of any bidder.
Dr. Verdi did not see that there was any thing
10 90 but award the contract to the lowest bidder
Or. Bliss said there was considerable to be
oone The lowest bidder proposed Four-miIe run
as place Of deposit, which he was opposed 10
ana dld not care who knew It.
Inc motion to 20 into secret session prevailed
bers Of the board
After spending some time in discussion, the
doors were reoPened and Il was announced that
the SUBJECT OF letting the contract had been re-
1erred 70 speelal committee consisting of Drs
Bliss and Verdi and Prof. LanRston, 10 Teport al
future meeting.