The Arizona champion., 1891-04-25
A SERIOUS QUESTION,
Sanitary Plumbing in the
 Large Cities,
1T sEHucyEs THE MASSES TO WAKE UP
The Preservation of Heslth.--Public
 Conservatism.

OOub6IVhtlsiu'
 Within the last ten or twelve years thls country has witnessed two distinct sras in the method of plumbing. About 1878 the plumbing done in the United States, and perhaps might say especially in Chicago. had become 50 bad, with competition and other causes, that there .was a general movement all over the country to effect something better. It was our misfortune, however, to make progress through mistakes. The pipes then used were of such light weight as not to be of service, the traps failed of their purpose, and the old drop pan closets were practically worthless Chi eago tosiay has any amount of that sort of work, done just about the time of the great fire and prior. As might have been expected, the correction of these evils led to mistakes no less grave in re- gard to sanitation and unnecessary ex- pense. .
 As the result of this call for improve ment came the period of complicated structure. Complex traps and fixtures were invented and sent over the country, where they found ready sale, and work manship became more involved. Scores of patents were taken out on this. that and the other appliance, and in almost every case the work failed of being ef- fective simply from it's complicated structure. That is the great fault with much of the plumbing done in this city for about six years prior to 1882, and even with many of the contrivances now offered for sale in the market.
 Theoretically there Is no reason why the reform instituted about 1876 should have resulted in a partial failure. The principles on which inventors and engi- neers went to work at the time were doubtless right, barring only that the lack of simplicity necessitated frequent repairssand gave freer scope to defective workmanship. The efforts toward i'm provement were honest enough, though the means were i'll advised.
 A REAcTToNARY MOVEMENT.
 In 1882 a reactionary movement was instituted in the interest of simplicity of structure and workmanship, and that year marks the beginning of what may be termed the best era of plumbing and house drainage. Involved, complex work. though in some degree still prac- ticed, is practically out of date. The main purpose now in view is to eliminate every unnecessary angle, to simplify every trap or combination of traps, to make all fixtures as little complicated as possible, to use material on account of its merits and not from traditional no tions as to it's fitness--in word, to put the matter on a scientific basis. This re. action. think, was a step in the right direction, and the results will doubtless stand the test of actual use.
 The sanitarian of to-day has moro to contend with than most people would suppose. One of the greatest barriers to progress Is custom. Fallacies are daily perpetuated. It is with 1hoase building. sewerage, vsnsiiation and the like as it ls with most businesses. People follow in ruts from mere habit A. good aug gestion Is made or device invented and Irrespective of actual merits it is too often thrust aside in deference to the old time way of doing things.
 PUBLIC CONSERVATISM.
 People are. naturally more or less conservative even in the matter of rem sdying evils which entail sickness, an noyance and expense. Sewers of deposit, for instance, have no place In sanitary work. Cities are growing inordinately in comparison with rural districts. Thus in every metropolitan city life becomes more and more essentially artificial, and no adequate provision is made to neu- tralize this growing artificiality In re- spect to it's influence on health. Thou. sands five in cramped quarters-two or three rooms--with absolutely no regard for light, ventilation, water supply, house drainage or anything of the sort. The one aim, apparently, Is to be with the crowd In the business portions of this city, where land is very expensive, buildings are run up excessively high, and 1t Is only ip the newest and best structures that adequate provision is made for light A smoke laden atmos- phere is e constant menace. an evil In the manufacturing and business districts DO less great than the vitiated, oft bresthed air In many private dwellings. And still the masses seem oblivious to their needs.
 In . large measure the preservation of sanitary conditions must remain a matter of purely private interest and precaution, and in country like ours, wherein citizena have such power in getting, laws enacted and enforced. 1t bekooves the masses to .wgke up to . realization of the needs of sanitation and post themselves @ to the best means of accomplishing their purpose. e.--Chi-
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