New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-31
DELAY IN ABATING d NUISANCE.
THE HEALTH BOARD SEEMINGLY AT FAULT.
FAILURE TO ENFORCE THE LAW WHICH THE
HEALTH OFFICIALS SEEMED UNABLE TO EX-

THE HEALTH BOARD SEEMINGLY AT FAULT.
A FAILURE TO ENFORCE THE LAW WHICH THE
HEALTH OFFICIALS SEEMED UNABLE TO EX-
PLAIN
"The sanitary arrangements of the house are
in a shocking condition. Foul doors from the sink
and cesSpools and sickness likely TO result at any
time" said guest Of the Aston Place Hotel, at Eighth
st. ana ThIdave., TO a TRIBUNE reporter
"Why do you not make a complaint to the Board OF
Health 2" be was asked.
I'VE have already done twice." the answer.
but as far rs an abatement of the goes It has
led to no result. The first complaint WAS made about
the middle of june and notice appeared 10 have
been taken Of 1t, complained again about two weeks
ago As nothing has been done yet, however, II seems
that our second complaint Will be as useless as our
first
The reporter went into the hotel and personally IN
vestigaied the matter He found that there good
ground for complaint sickenng smells came from the
cesspOols and sinks and the closets throughout the
house were IN most filthy condition The
reporter then went to the office Of the Board Of Health
and called Colonel Emmons Clark. secretary of the
Board.
what course do you adopt when complaint IL made
against house that its plumbing is defective and that
from the sinks, etc - asked the
"Wtll, sir. when such complaint is made we send
round an inspector the day ascertain there
any ground the complaint answered Colonel Clark
If the inspector finds there good cause for complaint
he comes back here aud makes hts report accordingly
We then give notice the of the house that the
nuisance must be removed"
4" How long a time Is he given in which to make the
necessary alterationsp
Five days usually; but under extraordinary cir
the inspector has the power to extend tie
time ten days"
According this them the work necessary to abate
the nuisance would be begun within ten days after
plant has been madcl"
Eyes; unless the parties had refused to make the
necessary alterations and suit had been commenced in
tue courts to compel them TO DO So"
"Butif no legal proceedings had been taken would
the necessary repairs undertaken within ten days p
" Most assuredly."
Then how do you account for the fact that nothing
has been done toward abaung the nuisance caused by
foul odors the Aston Place Hotel, OF winch complaint
was made about the m ddle of JuneF
This is not So sir. Such thing could not happen
Such thing did happen in our department." cried
Colonel Clark eXcitedy.
"YetI have most positive information that such is
the case" the reporter ventured to say.
We will investigate the books, sir. People always
exaggerate these things. They fnd particular
delight IN finding fault with public officials" said Colo
mel Clark stIfly.
An examination Of the books disclosed the fact that
complaint been made against the Astor Place Hotel
June H. and that the inspector OF the Board had Wis
red the premises and had referred the case
Sanitary Engineer Johnson sen IN report TO th effect
he closets OF the AstOr Place Hotel mad been found
on inspection TO be In a must foul aud unwho esome
condition, that the plumbing defective aud that
ou odors were emitted He pointed cut the alterations
and Ovcments necessary to abate the iisance
Are any legal proceed ngs now pending between the
Board OF Health and the owner OF the Aston Place
Hotel ~ asked the reporter,
No, SIT"
Then how is It, after the report made by Assistant
Sanitary Engineer Johnson on June % that nothing has
been done in this nattori"
II cannot account for II. You had better see Mr. |
Day" said Colonel Clara.
But according to your statement, the work neces
sary abatement OF this nuisance ought to have
begun at the outside limit, within days after June
20, ought not I"
Il Suppose See Mr. Day"
Tire repOr sought Walter Def Day the sanitary
superintendent OF the Board and referred SAM
taIy Engineer T. Neas. cannot count Tor IL. Some
paper or other have been lost. perhaps People
sometimes even lose greenOacks know" sad SAM
tary Engineer Nealis in vague ADD amiable manner
"WhO account for it, thenf was asked.
"See Mr. Johnson" answered Mr. Neas more ami |
ably Than
Inquiry then made for Assistant Sanitary En- |
gineer johnson. but the only Information that could
obtained that he in Of and at odd tines"
The reporter called several times later in thr day
Mr.. Johnson. but was told every time that Mr.. johnson
mot around"