The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-05-18
CAPITAL NOTES.

Washingtonians are proud of their home
They firmly believe that some day the Capital
will be quoted as the most beautiful city in the
world. But before then we must educate Con
gress in an artistic way and make them realize
that there is a limit to our appreciation of me-
diocre equestrian statues, and that modern red
brick and gothic structure make uncongenial
companions. But we go too far when we claim
that Washington is the cleanest city in the
world. There are many, many cities its supe-
riors in this respect. Because our main streets
are kept in reasonably good order we do not ap-
preciate that back yards and alleys may not be
in like condition. But whoever is to blame,
whether Congress or the city government, there
is room for improvement in the care Of alleys.
The windows of many dining-rooms look into
neighboring back yards or out on alleys Surely
the local government ought to look to it that
the alleys and yards shall not be nuisances in
any way, and householders and landlords should
be held responsible for the condition of their
own property. To the city, believe, belongs
the duty of removing the kitchen refuse, but
ashes, empty tin cans, etc, must be sent away
by the householder, and some householders are
very miserly and others very careless. 1T is
common occurrence for ashes to be allowed to
accumulate for weeks in an open receptacle in
the back yard, every high wind carrying them
into the neighboring windows. Another custom
in vogue which is source OF constant irritation
to orderly housewives is the shoVeing of ashes
over the fence into a waiting cart, making
cloud of dust from which the neighbors suffer.
One of the most Objectionable habits is that of
throwing refuse into an open barrel, leaving it
until the caprice of the garbage collectors sends
them that way. | say caprice advisedly, for
though in some portions of the city the garbage
men are very faithful in the performance OF their
duties they are very neglectfu in others, and the
neglect unfortunately occurs where most care
shOuld he taken in the crowded portions of town
occupied by the poorer classes, or in out-of-the-
way districts where ignorance reigns supreme,
where the neglect of dutyis not reported because
the consequence of it is not appreciated. But
frequently, even when it is reported-not once,
but many times-there is little attention paid to
the complaint. l think the Health Department
cannot be too careful in this matter. The eX-
penditure of little more money in this direc-
tion would save money in others, for disease
and death are the result of such neglect. 1t
seems to me to insist that the garbage pals and
the ash barrels should be covered would be
most easy matter for the authorities, to keep
them covered but little trouble for the house
holders, and the result comfort to every one.
Government inspectors who would personally
visit all the alleys and see that the laws govern
ing them are enforced should be numbered
among the District officers. The policemen are
expected to perform this duty but our police
men are generally good-natured men, who do
not want to incur the ill-will of the people on
their beats. Until something is done our alleys
will continue to be filled with odds and ends
Tin cans, old shoes, bits of straw, and broken
bottles hobnob with each other and the result is
not pleasing In small streets householders
should be compelled to take up the dirt in front
of their houses and empty it into the ash barrel
instead of sweeping it into the middle of the
street for the wind to take up and distribute
again.
4 4
No amount of grumbling, no amount of
newspaper talk, no amount of indignation from
equestriGns, pedestrians, and those who ride in