Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-08-15

ONO RIVER WATER.
As has already been stated, the drink |
ing water is responsible for the larger
proportion of disease and death from the
zymoticS. For years the public has been
of the filthy character of
the drinking water, and every year in
creaScS the amount of impurities poured
into the source of supply. 1t may not
be generally known that the Davis
Island Dam, which is situated some dis
lance below the junction of the two
rivers which unite TO form the Ohio, is
kept locked for 4 week or ten days at a
time, for the purpose of handling boats
in low water above, and being below the
point, catches all the heavy sewage from
Pittsburg and Allegheny, as well as all
the dumpingS from night carts and
other unwhOlcSOme substances. | was
recently informed by 4 member OF the
Water Board, that when this dam isl
opened it raised the river as much as
seven inches at this point. 1t is not
pleasant To think that with the present
low stage of water the accommodations OF
filth from city ten or twelve times
larger than the combined population of
both Pittsburgh and Allegheny floats by
i'm the intake of our water works once In
every two weeks. and a large proportion
is pumped into the basin. 1t is no UNI
common thing, in addition to this, for
people along the river 10 throw all kinds
OF dead animals into the water. \ gen
tleman who lives in this city was cross
ing the river at Steubenyille not long
since. when he saw dead horse dragged
down from that city and hitched to the
ferry boat, towcd into midStream and
set ailoat.
What is true of Wheeling is true OF
every other city along the Ohio river
that draws its water from that source.
On the eth of this month Allegheny
City advertised for bids for the removal
of the water works several miles above
the city, and for the erection of filter
ing plant. Huntington and Charleston
OF this State have already adopted filter
alton. In the Engineering NCrS OF
July 10, an editorial speaking of the
Cincinnati water works says: There
does not seem to be much prospect that
the city will have a decent supply until
the old machinery is sent to the old junk
ntAU anu NUlllN aUNu llAUuNl II pun HllA-
engines, built by reputable firms. put in
place. Even then the muddy Ohio
river water is hardly fit for washing,
and an extensive tiltering plant or some
new source Of supply are the only alter
natives if decent supply is to be- fur
niShed."
Many Of the cities OF the old world
have adopted this method Of water puri
iicatiOn, and in London where il has
been in operation for many years. the
death rate from all causes is about lGi in
], 900 population. Within recent years
many cities in this country have adopt
ed the same method. 1t is perfectly
clear to every thinking mind that with
the rapid increase of population along
the Ohio Valley that unless publication
of the river water can be effected arti-
ficially. il must be abandoned for some
other source of supply. The only alter
native offered is TO take the water from
the various springs that pour into
Wheeling creek and its tributaries and
pipe to this city for domestic purposes.
and have separate supply from the
river TO be used for eXtinguiShing fires
and other public purposes.
PEIvY VAULTS AND CESS POOLS.
\ privy in the built up portion of any
city is a relic Of bygOne age. In most
cities the thickly populated districts are
free from these breeders OF disease,
which have long since been replaced
with the modern water closet, but in
this city they are the rule rather than
the exception. Ny information IS that
there are less than one thousand water
closets in this city. Every old privy
vault that could be replaced with water
closet should be abandoned. The
present crematorY facilities are made
Quate for the destruction Of the contents
of all vaults, and not only would such
course solve the question of the erection
of an additional crcmatory, but would
insure additional revenues to the city,
while the crematOry could burn all the
garbage for years to come.
THE GARBAGE SERVICE.
In 1889, the amount paid by the city
for the removal Of garbage was 1920
O6. This year, S4.Sj0. In both years
the contractors began in May. SO that
n comparison can only be made for May
and June. In 1889, May and June, the
contractors removed to the crcmatory
40 loadsat cost Of S54s.34, at an aver
age of Sl.37 per load. In 1890, May and
June. 5l5 loads were removed, at total
of SSOS. or at an average cost per load
of S1.Gl. Last years contractors, at the
sans rate would have removed $50
loads. or and increase OF - loads over
the number removed by the present
contractor.
MEAT AND MILK INSPECTION.
There ought to be some provision by
ordinance for carrying into effect the
State law in regard to the penalties for
the sale of unSOund provisions. As
rule our markets abound with the fresh
est and best OF meats and vegetables.
But there are dishonest dealers here, as
elsewhere. Some provision should be
made by Council for the inspection OF
both meat and milk.
Cows milk is one of the most valued
articles of food. The study OF its com
noSition shows it to be 4 model food, per
fectlv adapted TO the needs OF the human
economy. 1t constitutes the sole food OF
thousands of infants and SICK persons
and enters very generally into the dlet
of most individuals.
The quantity OF milk sold daily in
Wheeling is at low estimate 10000
quarts, which alta valuation OF SIX cents
a quart. represents Il daily expenditure
of 5000 for this one article OF iood. ne
1850, 900 quarts Of milk consumed IN
each wear cost about $4,000. IL Is
therefore of great Importance that a
trade Of such vast proportions, invoiv-
ing commodity that enters into the
diet of most persons. which is at times
the sole article of food of large pro-
norton of the community, should be
nlaced under official regulation both for
economic and sanitary reasons. Inc
necessity for such regulation exists be-
cause the sale of adulterated and i'm
pure milk is a common practice, and one
which citizens in their individual ca
pacity are powerless to prevent. The
result of such practice is loss OF money
and injury of health to the consumer