New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-17
FILTH IN THE TENEMENT DISTRICTS
A REFORM BEGUN BY GENERAL sHALER.

A REFORM BEGUN BY GENERAL SHALER.
WARNING AND INSTRUCTION THROUGH THE SAM
TARY PoLIcE-A BIG CONTRACT.
Wbon the Police Commissioners had charge of the
street-ceaning business they defended the mseiVes
against complaints that they failed to keep CO rtal
streets clean by saying that the inmates Oh stodeS
garbage and sweepngs into the CUTTERS. AIter
Commissioners Coleman assumed control OF the
Department of STRENGTHENING he made several
fntie attempts TO enforce the sanitary regulations
relative TO the placing of ashes and gar5ag elm 'front.'
of houses in proper receptacles for removal super
ntendent Walling, when he was asked why ,t Lne
polIce did not enforce these regulations, SAD tnat
there not patromen enough In the city Ior INC
purpose. I'D - u,.h
has adopted new method of dealing with the OF
tenders in the hope of accomplishing what has been
gwen up by the Police Department and the Depart
ment OF STRENGTHENING as hopeless task his
method is partly educational aud partly c0erclVe.
Circulars printed in the English, French. German
and Italian languages, so that they can DC read py
inmates of all the tenement-houses are Deng
distributed in those districts Of the city where
the streets are in the most filthy condition,
giving warning that the sanitary laws OF the city
proh bit the throwing of ashes, garbage, slops ana
the sweepngs of floors and sidew aks on the street
pavement that violation of these laws is mis-,
demeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment ana
that the officers of the Health Department. nave
been instructed to enforce the laws.
General Shaer yesterday summoned the Sanitary
Squad of policemen to his office and gave directions
and the enforcement OF the sanitary laws
TO a TRIBUNE reporter. who inquired how the thirty
sanitary policemen acting under the order. Oh the
Board of Health could enforce the law. General
Slacr said: THE number of officers IS small IN
comparison with the number OF tenement-houses
and stores where active work Is needed. For mat
reason cannot look for very great results NJ hrst
The work, of reform must be gradual: oae
1t may be none, tho, less effective IN
the end. Our officers have been instructed
To make sure, mt the outset, that occupants OF
houses understand fully what the sanitary regula-
tions are and the advantages of Obeying such rules
of health If the occupants of tenement-house
cannot read any of the languages In when tnc cir
cuars prn ted, it will be the duty OF the oce
TO plain the meaning to them III Is not desiraple
TO mako arrests II the poor people can be brought
TO obey the law by means OF instruction ana per-
suasiO; but If persons continue to dehie tho streets
after being taught better, IL will be our policy 10
make arrests and ask the magistrates 10 Impose
fines"
"Conld not the owners OF tenement-houses be
held responsible for tho condition OF the street gut
tiers In front of their budngsT
81 think not. Property-owners can be held re-
sponsible in many cases for unhealthy condition
OF buildings but for the filthy habits OF the oc-
cupants We must deal directly with the inmates
of houses In regard TO this practice OF throwing rub
bsh into tho street"
How are the offenders to be detected and ar
rested y
1T will not be necessary for an officer to see
ashes and garbage thrown into the street IN order 10
tenement-house wish to have the
street kept clean they will give evidence
against other occupants VINO persist IN making IL
i'.hy. After policeman has visited a house few
tunes TO warn the inmates. he can inquire OF the
orderly occupants why garbage WAS thro un IN the
street in front Of the place. In nine ca SEES out OF
ten the name Of the offender will be given and the
policeman will have sufficient evidence on which 70
procure a warrant Ii may be ncce ssary for the
Board of Health to ask for an III crease OF the
Sanitary Squad"