Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-22
The Garbage Question.

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The views expressed in the editorial in TIE
STAR of the Goth instant upon the garbage ques-
ton, which is now agitating the public mind
as well as taxing the patience Of the Distric,
authorities. is just and sensible. The RESPONSE
bility for the unsanitary condition Of our city,
owing to the accumulation in the yards and
premises Of nearly every householder of decay
ing animal and vegetable matter, does not rest
wholly upon the shoulders of Mr.. Draney, the
contractor for the removal Of garbage.
The householder should be required to de.
posit his kitchen refuse in tight, covered
metallic vessels, which are to be kept, when
practicable, accessible to the collectors at all
times, and not suffered to deposit in an old
leaky uncovered box or barrel. exposed to the
heat of the sun in some place in the yard mac
cessiple to the collector unless some occupant
OF the premises responds to his call.
Doubtless the garbage collectors are in many
instances chargeable with neglect, but much Of
the complaint is due to the failure Of the house.
holders to deposit the garbage where the col
lector can get it.
The householder should be required under a
heavy penalty for failure to deposit his kitchen
refuse and other putrescible matter in a tight
metallic vessel, which must be kept covered
except when receiving or discharging its con-
tents and placed when practicable SO as to be
accessible at all times to the collectors, or
where there is no access to the premises from
the street or alley then at certain hours be
placed on the curb in front of the premises.
III this were done by proper regulations,
which the Commissioners have the power to
prescribe and enforce, there would be an end
to all this clamor, and the health of our citi-
Zens protected.
i am assured that there are parties in the
city who are willing to contract for the collec-
tion and removal Of the garbage for the sum
which is now paid Mr.. Draney If the Commits
sioners will adopt regulations carrying out the
suggestions above expressed. They should be
substantially follows:
Section l. No offensive filth, offal, garbage or
putrescible matter of any sort shall be stored,
kept or allowed to remain in any building,
yard or on any premises within the District Of
Columbia for more than two days between the
18th day of April and the 18th day Of Novem-
Der or for more than three DAYS between
the 10Th day OF November and the 18th day of
April; nor shall such matter be kept or per-
United to remain for any time in an open place
or vessel
Section 2. In all cases where garbage and
like refuse is not otherwise privately disposed
OF it shall be the duty of every housekeeper or
other premises to deposit his garbage or
kitchen refuse in tight metallic vessel to
Keep such vessel closed at all times when not
receiving or discharging deposits and to keep
said vessel in place accessible to the garbage
collector at all times Of the day, except when
there is no entrance by the rear OF the premises
and where 1t IL otherwise impracticable to COM
ply with the last preceding regulation, in which
case it shall be the duty of the housekeeper to
provide for promptly delivering his garbage or
kitchen refuse outside the premises when
called for by the garbage collector.
A. II. ). DAVIS, 435 o street northwest.
August q, 1891.