Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-07-10
THE NECESSITY
For New City Crematory shown by the
Health Ohicer.

For a New City Crematory shown by the
Health onicer.
Health Officer Geo. l. Garrison trans.
mItted the following selfeTplanatOry let
ter 10 Council, last night
WHEELING, W. VA, July ., 1850.
To tie Hon. Mayor and Council Of he city
Of Wheeling;
GRNTLEMEN-Whe the annusl sani-
tary inspection OF the city was begun in
the spring, it was found TO be impractica-
BILE to compel the thorough cleaning and
disiniection OF all priyy vaults and cess
pools, as rapidly as the proper regard for
the public health demanded, on account Of
the extremely bad condition Of many, and
the want of facilities for the destruction of
their contents Hence, only those that
we're in the very worst condition were
dered 10 be cleaned or partially cleaned
Indeed so many called for immediate at
tenlion that in some instances only four
and even as little az two barrels were per
mitted to be removed, in order to give at
least partial reliefin a greater number Of
clses.
The situation was explained TO the
Board OF Health, and that body recOgnz-
ing the needs Of better crematory facilities,
passed resolutions asking Council TO Ap-
propriate sufficient sum to build a new
furnace. You know bow the proposition
was approved by both Branches OF Coun-
ell, site was selected, but he the mat
ter rests. Permits for the excavation and
removal Of contents Of cesspo0ls TO the
number Of about 1000 barrels have been
issued from my Office. Over five hundred
cart loads of contents of dry closets have
been removed. The great buik Of the
work was done between the first Of April
and the present time. The books of the
keeper Of the crematory show that during
the months of April, May and June, 1923
barrels OF nightsoil was burned in addition
TO other unwholesome substances. There.
fore nearly two thirds OF the matter re-
moved was conveyed to the fields Of farm
ers and gardeners near the city to be used
for manurial purposes, the prudence Of
which 10 some instances is questionable, 10
cay the least.
There are hundreds Of priyy vaults in
the city which have not been cleaned and
disinfected for many years, the stencil Of
which is unbearable, and whose potency
as disease breeders are unquesuoned. They
ought to have received attention long ago,
but owing to the lack Offacilties must re-
main in their present condition. Com
plants come to me about them every day.
Even those from which small
portion of the contents have been
removed this year in many in
stances require attention again. Ny op-
portunities for gathering information in
regard TO the sanitary condition Of the
city are unlimited, and from the best adj
vices have, there should yet be removed
Is, 900 barrels OF night soil and from 500
to 200 loads of contents Of dry vaults
this season.
Does il require further argument Of
mine to show the imperative necessity Of
proceeding at once TO the construction Of
a furnace, the capacity Of which shall be
ADEQUATE to the destruction Of all our
city's filth.
Respectfully submitted,
GRO. ]. GARRISON, NJ. d.,
Health Officer
The paper was read in the FIrst Branch,
and was referred 10 the Committee on
Finance. In this same connection reso-
Luton was offered by Mr.. Arkle and
adopted, instructiDR the Committee on
Finance to set spart Sc, 600 for the con
struction of new crematory, Of sufficient
cspscity to burn all the refuse and night
soil Of the city, and directing the commit
Zee 10 advertise for bids for the cOnstruc-
ton Of the best furnace in the country for
the money. This resolution was adopted
in the Second Branch, but the First re-
fused 10 concur.